The Classic 5
BEGINNING - Saturdays 1/2-1/30 11am-12pm MT
These five old school Tango sequences have been universally taught in some form or another to beginners since the 1950’s. The sequences will be pre-recorded and shared with registered students in the days before the class. The actual class will focus on four aspects within the sequence: technique, embrace, musicality, and floor-craft.
9/12-La Salida Basica
The longest lived tango training pattern, La Salida Basica (The Basic Exit) ingeniously covers at least one example of each of the basic movements without pivots.
9/19-Los Ochos
Forward Ochos danced from the cross, this sequence introduces crucial communication skills, balance and axis, and poses a far greater challenge to the continuity of the embrace.
9/26-La Parada
This third classic training pattern was traditionally either sped through in one phrase or used to introduce phrase-and-a-half timing. We have slowed it down to two phrases and added a beautiful abanico for more communication and torsion practice (and, because it’s beautiful).
10/3-Los Ochos Atrás
This sequence marks the point when talented dancers who have had an easy time thus far really start to respect Tango. The essential skill of dancing a graceful back ocho is so unique to Tango that no one can really be well prepared for it without significant training. This is a crucial part of that training.
10/10-La Media Vuelta
La Media Vuelta (The Half Turn; really more like three quarters) has remained the perfect intro to Classic Turns with Sacadas. Our interpretation is used to introduce turn communication while reinforcing timing and a comfortable embrace.
Sacadas Part 1
INTERMEDIATE - Saturdays 1/2-1/30 12pm-1pm MT
This series is a fun introduction to the most useful sacadas for both leaders and followers. All of the sequences are single-phrase patterns, with the classic 8-1 opening and the 3, 4, 5 resolution.
1. Forward and Open Progressive Leader Sacadas
The leader’s back and side steps on 8 and 1, then a 3, 4, 5 procession to the cross for the follower with leader dancing a dibujo on the 5 rather than the weight change. Then a forward ocho for the follower and a forward cross to forward cross sacada with the leader’s right foot on 7. The leader changes weight in a little back cross on 8 and delivers an open sacada to the followers next forward ocho step on 1. The sequence ends with a classic 3, 4, 5 resolution.
2. Follower’s Forward Sacada
Entrada on 8 and 1 with the classic floor-abanico leading into the follower’s forward-to-open sacada with the left foot on 7. The leader and follower dance a synchronized circular dibujo across the 1 and resolve with the 3, 4, 5.
3. Follower’s Open Sacada
Entrada on 8 and 1 with the classic floor-abanico leading into the follower’s open-to-cross sacada with the left foot on 1. The leader receives the sacada with a forward cross step with the right foot. Resolution on 3, 4, and 5.
4. Leaders’s Back Sacada
Entrada on 8 and 1, then a 3, 4, 5 procession to the cross. A forward ocho for the follower and an open to forward-cross sacada with the leader’s left foot on 7. The leader steps forward with right foot on 8 and delivers a back sacada with the left to the followers next forward ocho step on 1. Resolution on 3, 4, and 5.
5. Follower’s Back Sacada
Entrada on 8 and 1 with the leader’s weight change on 2 and forward step on 3, but leaves the trailing leg extended. The follower steps back on 3 and dances a back ocho landing in a back sacada with right foot to the leader’s still extended, now open step. The followers back sacada is on 5 and is the beginning of the back-side-forward part of the right-turn. The leader changes weight to the right leg and 7 as the follower dances a forward ocho. Resolution on 3, 4, and 5.
Boleos Part 1
ADVANCED - Saturdays 1/2-1/30 1pm-2pm MT
The simplest and most accessible follower’s contra boleos delivered in single-phrase patterns that naturally fit the music. All sequences start with an 8-1 weight-change side-step combination and end with the timeless 3, 4, 5 resolution.
1. Back Contra Boleo from the Back Ocho
Weight-change on 8 with the opening step on 1. The leader double times into cross-system and the follower dances a back ocho, landing on the right foot on 5. As the follower pivots counterclockwise, the leader lunges clockwise into the open step with the left leg, landing on 7 as the follower dances the back boleo with the left foot. The follower comes out of the boleo with a forward ocho, landing on 1 as the leader changes weight to the right foot. Resolution on 3, 4, 5.
2. Forward Contra Boleo from the Cross
Weight-change on 8 with the opening step on 1. Then the procession to the cross on the beat with the leader holding off on the weight-change on 7 as the follower crosses. As the follower pivots counterclockwise on the left foot and dances the forward boleo on the 1 as the leader lunges into the forward cross-step with the right leg. The leader forward pivots, followed by the resolution on 3, 4 and 5.
3. Forward Contra Boleo from the Abanico
Weight-change on 8 with the opening step on 1. The classic floor abanico is danced and as the follower returns in the clockwise pivot the leader lunges into the right open step, leading the follower’s front boleo with the left leg on the 7. When the follower has unwound from the boleo, the leader leans forward with a slight twist to the left to lead “little foot” on 1. Resolution on 3, 4, and 5.
4. Forward Contra Boleo from the Media Vuelta
Weight-change on 8 with the opening step on 1. A pause before the Classic Entrance to the Left starts on the 5 with the leader changing weight on the 6 to stay in parallel system and dancing the open-to-forward-cross sacada with the right leg on the 7. The follower dances a full forward ocho, pivoting counterclockwise until the leader lunges into an open check step with the left leg triggering the forward boleo on 1. The follower unwinds and 3, 4, 5 resolution.
5. Back Contra Boleo from the Dark Side of Cross-System
Weight-change on 8 with the opening step on 1. The leader continues the run of four, changing weight on 2 and stepping forward on the middle of the three cross-system tracks (or “the dark side”) on the 3. The leader then forward pivots 90˚ on the left foot and falls into a lunge open to the right. This leads the follower’s back boleo with the right leg. As the follower comes out of the boleo with a forward ocho, the leader takes an open step with the left leg across the follower’s ocho. The follower’s final forward step comes around on the 1, and 3, 4, 5 resolution.
LIVE Tango Drills
Monday - Thursday 12pm & 5:30pm MT
Join us for our weekly Solo Tango Drills where we cycle though a culmination of Jaimes & Christa's Tango drills that they have created together. These drills are solo and have individual topics for each drill session of the week. We focus on extensions & footwork, ochos, embellishments, boleos, giros, and more!
Techique
Thursday January 7th, 6:15pm MT
An in-depth review the "Beginner Flow" drills set that we normally do Mondays at noon. Monday Afternoon Tango Drills Set:Tango Tendue Cross Body, Tango Tendue Homolateral, Super Christa (BEG/INT), Super Christa (ADV), Forward Ochos on 1 and 5, Forward Ochos Brubeck, Forward Ochos Waltz, Brubeck&Waltz Forward Ochos, Back Ochos on 1 and 5, Back Ochos Brubeck, Back, Ochos Waltz, Brubeck&Waltz Back Ochos
Musicality
Thursday January 21st, 6:15pm MT
Gain knowledge & practice in the fundamental tango musical elements of breaks & pauses.
DJ Seminar
Thursday February 4th, 6:15pm MT
Jaimes Shares his expert knowledge & experience with us! More TBA
