It’s Milonga time!
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
Classes will be in the new format:
Beginners (current) 7.00 – 8.00pm
First Time Beginners 8.00 – 9.00pm
Practice (Beg & Imp) 8.00 – 9.00pm
Improvers 9.00 – 10.00pm
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:
5. Non-BATS events
A. Nikos’ classes at The Crescent www.crescentarts.org/classes/dance/
Tango Salón Beginners: Nikos Kyriakidis | Saturdays 1-2.15pm ~ 16+ years ~ £69/£63
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.
Tango Salón Improvers: Nikos Kyriakidis | Fridays 9.15-10.30pm ~ 16+ years ~ £69/£63
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.
B. Nikos’ Classes at QUB Open Learning
Argentine Tango (Tango Salón) for Beginners
Fee £77.00 (concession rate £47.00) 10 weekly sessions
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.
Argentine Tango (Tango Salón) for Improvers
Fee £77.00 (concession rate £47.00) 10 weekly sessions
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:
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