The Belfast Argentine Tango Society (BATS) was formed in June 2007 as a "not for personal profit" organisation to promote Argentine Tango. Our main activities are to organise classes and workshops and to hold milongas. We aim to use authentic teachers from Argentina or teachers who have proven experience in teaching Argentine tango.
What is a Practica? It’s an informal event somewhere between a proper class and a formal Milonga. There is no structured tuition, but dancing with others and discovering for yourselves how steps work (or how they don’t) really adds to the tuition we get in class. Plus, you can always ask others for advice, as unlike in class or at a Milonga, there’s nothing to say you can’t stop mid-flow on the dance floor to debate a point.
The venue is “The West” (although the name is not on the front of the building) on the Falls Road. It has a good floor, with plenty of seating/socialising area in the bar. There is a dedicated car park behind it (either go in the back door and up one flight or walk round to the front door on the main road to get in – in the front door and just round to the right).
You can drop in/out of the Practica anytime, there’s no fixed “start”, but we’ll be there from 8pm-10pm+ on Thursdays. Price £2. THE WEST
Tango in the street as part of Friday's Belfast Culture Night.
Members of the public watched enthusiastically as the sounds and dance of Buenos Aires was brought to the streets of Belfast.
The passion of the dancers prompted some members of the of
the public to 'have a go' Hopefully
this will encourage people to come along to our Tango lessons every Monday. Details can be found on the Blog.
As part of Belfast Culture Night, we’ll be doing a bit of Tango outside La Boca restaurant in Fountain Street, this Friday (24th) from about 5.30 to 8pm. Do feel free to come along and join in – no matter what level you are. Here is Mónica and Néstor Castillo, who visited Belfast a number of years ago, dancing, not in La Boca Belfast, but Buenos Aires.
Last Night's Milonga was a great success. Great food, great company and great dancing. Everyone made the effort and dressed to impress.
Set against the background of the river Lagan, the milongueros and milongueras danced to the stains of some excellent music, (well thought out Tandas which encouraged the dancing), to the early hours of Sunday morning.
I'm sure everyone who was there would agree that it was a most enjoyable evening. Roll on October's Milonga!
A "milonga" is a social event/location for tango dancing. Confusingly, "Milonga" is also a distinct style of tango - a faster, often more jovial dance than pure tango. We teach milonga (style) as well as tango in classes and workshops. We organise and run milongas (events) monthly.
At a milonga we tend to dress up a bit more than in class - but there's no strict dress code. It is customary for a man to ask a woman to dance - but it's also fine for the woman to do the asking. If you are wary about asking someone (whether you are a man or woman) making eye contact with a nod to the dance floor can be a risk free option. And if your prospective dance partner looks away... well maybe they just didn't see you. The polite tanguero keeps an eye out for the tanguera who hasn't had a dance for a while and will ask her. Venue location BELFAST ROWING CLUB More details below in BATS Newsletter.
Here is an example of a Milonga taken from the film The Tango Lesson.
What is a Practica? It’s an informal event somewhere between a proper class and a formal Milonga. There is no structured tuition, but dancing with others and discovering for yourselves how steps work (or how they don’t) really adds to the tuition we get in class. Plus, you can always ask others for advice, as unlike in class or at a Milonga, there’s nothing to say you can’t stop mid-flow on the dance floor to debate a point.
You can drop in/out of the Practica anytime, there’s no fixed “start”, but we’ll be there from 8pm-10pm+ on Thursdays. Price £2. Venue directions: THE WEST See you there!
First, a welcome to everyone who just started with us this term. We hope you haven’t found it too daunting, and have been enticed sufficiently to keep going through the difficult first weeks and months (but I’m not sure I could actually say it gets any easier – but you do definitely get better at it). This is our regular email newsletter that goes out once a week or fortnight to keep you informed of events organised by us, or other Tango organisers.
The main news is that it’s our Milonga weekend (every 3rd Saturday of the month). See below for more details of when and where it is, but absolutely everyone who’s even only done one class is welcome to come along, even if only to watch and get a flavour of what Tango is all about – but someone is bound to get you up on the floor. Remember there is no bar, so bring your own.
Now would be a good time to bring along a friend, relative or work colleague who you think might be interested in Tango – bring them a long for the 8pm class.
All the usual full details of all events are listed below this email
1. Weekly classes – with Beatriz on Mondays – new times.
2. Practica on Thursdays
3. Monthly Milonga – Saturday 18th September
4. New BATS Blog
5. YouTube clips
6. Non-BATS events
1. Weekly Monday classes – with Beatriz – new times.
Beatriz will be taking our Monday classes in the new term and will operate a 6 week syllabus. You can find out more about her at her website: http://beatanguera.weebly.com
Cost - £7 for one class, £10 for two (Un-waged Concession: £5/£8 – please show ID).
Usual venue details: the main upstairs hall of City Church, 12-24 University Avenue (on the left as you head down the Avenue away from Botanic - there's a large white church, then City Church is a red brick building a few doors further, opposite the Spar). The hall is above the “Common Grounds" café, but enter through the double doors round the corner – ring the bell if closed. Here's a link to a map: CITY CHURCH
2. Practica on every Thursday.
What is a Practica? It’s an informal event somewhere between a proper class and a formal Milonga. There is no structured tuition, but dancing with others and discovering for yourselves how steps work (or how they don’t) really adds to the tuition we get in class. Plus, you can always ask others for advice, as unlike in class or at a Milonga, there’s nothing to say you can’t stop mid-flow on the dance floor to debate a point.
The venue is “The West” (although the name is not on the front of the building) on the Falls Road. It has a good floor, with plenty of seating/socialising area in the bar. There is a dedicated car park behind it (either go in the back door and up one flight or walk round to the front door on the main road to get in – in the front door and just round to the right).
You can drop in/out of the Practica anytime, there’s no fixed “start”, but we’ll be there from 8pm-10pm+ on Thursdays. Price £2.
The attached link to Google maps shows it (and the car park behind it), but if you drive up the Donegal Road (from the Broadway roundabout at the Park Centre on the Westlink) towards the Falls Road, then turn right onto the Falls Road (city bound) then it is about 200 yards on the right, between La Salle Park and La Salle Drive. If you turn into La Salle Drive, the car park can be accessed from it. THE WEST
3. Monthly Milonga – Saturday 18th September
Our monthly Milonga is this Saturday (18th). It will again be held in Belfast Rowing Club, Lockview Road , Stranmillis (which is just before Belfast Boat Club, the one with all the tennis courts). It will be from 9pm to 12+ and the price is a mere £5. Everyone is welcome, no matter how many or few classes you have had. Come along and enjoy the music and try out what you’ve learnt in class.
To find it, get to the roundabout on the Stranmillis Road , in front of Stranmillis College and take the exit that is Lockview Road , which takes you past the Cutters Wharf pub. On the left just after the Cutters are two linked car parks, drive into the second one and go two thirds of the way up, where you should see a gate on the left with “Belfast Rowing Club” on it. You can’t drive in, just park there (there’s plenty of parking) and use the pedestrian gate (if you see tennis courts, you’ve gone too far, that’s Belfast Boat Club!). We are in the double storey building; go up the stairs immediately on the left when you go in – follow the music..... Here’s a link to a map: BELFAST ROWING CLUB
A few notes about this venue:
- As none of us drink enough, it is not worth them putting on a bar – so please bring your own.
- Smokers – the venue is a sports club with a no-smoking policy. If you must smoke (outside) please do not throw your butts on the ground – dispose of them carefully.
- Please refrain from putting talc on the floor.
4. New BATS Blog
Michael has set up a Blog which we can use for more day to day bits of information about events or Tango in general, rather than our main website (www.tangoinbelfast.org). You can also add comments of your own, so click below, add it to your favourites and join in:
5. YouTube Clip
Here’s a clip of our past teachers Marion and Enrique performing at this year’s Cork Tango Festival. It a double piece – one traditional (well, mostly, with a few showy moves :) and a Nuevo piece:
This class teaches the fundamentals of tango salón as it is danced in the milongas (tango night clubs) in Buenos Aires and the whole world. The objective is to familiarise students with the basic steps and routines under music and also tackles couple communication, posture and footwork.
This class continues the material taught in the beginners class and further enhances partner communication, footwork and elegant movement. Students are recommended to enrol with partners to allow focus on leader / follower roles. Towards the end of the class there will be an introduction to “milonga” dance – distinctive from tango but with common origins.
Autumn 2010 Thursdays 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm, starting 30 September
A complete course in tango salón for beginners aiming to develop the basic elements of communication, elegance and ‘seduction’ between leader and follower.We will study the fundamental aspects in caminadas, syncopation, ochos, giros, sacadas and barridas, among others.Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate dancing to tango music smoothly and interpret it with basic routines.
Autumn 2010 Thursdays 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm, starting 30 September
A continuation course in tango salón for students who have completed the Beginners’ course or have been dancing for at least one year.Leaders/followers are now given more complex routines to dance and what is expected from them is to apply the elements of communication, elegance and ‘seduction’ in their moves as individuals and as couples.The last 3 classes will be dedicated to introduction to milonga dance and its basic steps.
C. Piret’s classes in Portstewart
New 5 week ARGENTINE TANGO course starting on Thursday the 2nd of September in Portstewart Parish Hall at 6pm £5
D. Tango Pasión is on in the Grand Canal Theatre Dublin – October 18th-23rd
This famous show is coming to Dublin in the autumn. See www.grandcanaltheatre.ie for more information. Maybe we should book a bus to take us all down ……
E. Stirling Tango Festival with Aldo and Ana Lia and Marion and Enrique
Here’s some advance notice of this festival in February, with some familiar faces:
In a Milonga men do not come up to the women and ask them to dance. In between sets they clear the floor, with music called a cortina, or curtain, and everybody sits down. The woman starts looking around the room to see who she would like to dance with, and then she stares at the man. If he wants to dance with her, he’ll stare back and nod to her. And then she’ll nod back, meaning ‘Yes, I’ll dance with you for this set.’ She stays sitting in her seat, and he will walk across the floor close to her table and wave. She stands up, they meet on the floor. “Hola, cómo estás? Todo bien?” The music starts. After a few phrases – there’s no rush – he’ll open his arms, and they’ll embrace. And they dance.
What is a Practica? It’s an informal event somewhere between a proper class and a formal Milonga. There is no structured tuition, but dancing with others and discovering for yourselves how steps work (or how they don’t) really adds to the tuition we get in class. Plus, you can always ask others for advice, as unlike in class or at a Milonga, there’s nothing to say you can’t stop mid-flow on the dance floor to debate a point.
The venue is “The West” (although the name is not on the front of the building) on the Falls Road. It has a good floor, with plenty of seating/socialising area in the bar. There is a dedicated car park behind it (either go in the back door and up one flight or walk round to the front door on the main road to get in – in the front door and just round to the right).
You can drop in/out of the Practica anytime, there’s no fixed “start”, but we’ll be there from 8pm-10pm+ on Thursdays. Price £2.
The attached link to Google maps shows it (and the car park behind it), but if you drive up the Donegal Road (from the Broadway roundabout at the Park Centre on the Westlink) towards the Falls Road, then turn right onto the Falls Road (city bound) then it is about 200 yards on the right, between La Salle Park and La Salle Drive. If you turn into La Salle Drive, the car park can be accessed from it.
The new season of classes got off to a great start in City Church, Belfast last night, with many new beginners. But don't worry if you missed the first class, you can come along next week.
With the start of the new term it is perhaps timely to remind ourselves of some Tango etiquette.
Respect the person you are dancing with and respect the people around you.
Personal hygiene is essential for an enjoyable dancing experience.
Bad breath, body odour and excessive perspiration are common offenders. Be sensitive to your fellow dancers. Given the physical closeness in Tango, good hygiene is essential and, for the vast majority of dancers, it is not an issue. However, probably all of us have had the occasional dance where we have become aware of our partner’s presence in a less than Tango way.
Here are some tips:
Shower before dancing whenever possible.
Use a deodorant and, if you need to, an effective anti-perspirant.
Use aftershave and perfume sparingly: they can be quite overpowering and some people are allergic to them.
Use breath fresheners frequently.
Think carefully about eating strong foods before dancing, like garlic, onions and curry, as they linger on the breath, skin and clothes for a long time. Also, when you have been cooking – especially frying – the odour remains on your clothes.
One cause of body odour that is sometimes overlooked is stress. Especially if you are new to Tango. So, above all, enjoy yourself!
Monday 6 September 2010
Winners from the Tango Salon finals held in Buenos Aires,
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The new season of Tango classses starts tonight (Monday) with Beatriz Cisneros. Beatriz has been teaching Tango in Belfast since May 2010 and has proved to be a very popular and attentive teacher. This season she will be working on a six week syllabus so that learners will be able to follow their progress.
A new season of Tango classes are starting tomorrow, Monday 6th September. Location City Church, University Avenue - above Common Grounds opposite the Spar!
We are continuing the new format we tried over the summer of reducing the classes to one hour but providing a one hour Practica between them – classes alone are not enough, so please do use the full two hours available to you now.
We will provide a First Time Beginners class during the Practica period, to give a better introduction to complete beginners rather than being thrown in with the “mature” Beginners. Some of the people who joined the current Beginners group may benefit from doing this class. If in doubt, feel free to ask.
Beatriz will be working on a 6 week syllabus for both the regular Beginner and Improver classes, so this will provide some structured progression for us. Don’t worry if you miss a class, but you should aim to attend all to get the full benefit.
Our Concession rate of £5 rather than £7 will now only apply to the un-waged i.e. full time students and OAPs (part time students who also work will have to pay the full price like everyone else – sorry, but we need to cover costs).
So the format will be:
7-8pm Current Beginners with prior experience
8-9pm First time Beginners class
8-9pm Practice session for current Beginners and Improvers
9-10pm Improvers class.
No partner or prior experience required (for First time Beginners class).
Cost: £7 for one class, £10 for two (£5/£8 for OAP and Full-time students only).
For more info: email belfast.tango@yahoo.co.uk or www.tangoinbelfast.org
