In Preparation for Emiliano's visit in April, for which the styles of Tango Salon and Tango Milonguero will be a theme, I asked Emiliano some questions to enlighten us a little about tango social dancing as it is in Buenos Aires.

What is tango salon?

Is a tango style developed in the neighborhoods of Buenos Aires during the golden age (‘30s-‘40s), in particular in Villa Urquiza. Is characterized by its elegance, pauses and smoothness. These characteristics come from the environment where the style developed: big dance floors so more space to move.

What is tango milonguero?

Is a tango style developed in Buenos Aires downtown during the golden age (‘30s-‘40s). Is characterized by its creativity and its fast and sharp movements connected with the rhythm. These characteristics come from the environment where the style developed: small crowded dance floors so less space to move.
 
Are these two the only forms of Argentine tango?

No, you have even canyengue, stage tango and Tango Nuevo (developed in the ‘90s and almost disappeared in Buenos Aires)

Is a style changing or unchanging?

The city of Buenos Aires has a very dynamic spirit and tango reflects that, so the styles are always changing and developing but keeping a recognizable soul.

What style do people in Buenos Aires dance?

Mostly Salon and Milonguero. Young people like to do fusion which means to mix styles in the same song.

Should I learn different styles? Will I get confused?

In my opinion is good to learn salon and Milongero because these are the traditional styles. They give you more elements to enjoy the dancing and to interpret the music. No you don’t risk to get confused but you risk to become a better dancer.
 
So at the milonga can I dance tango salon or milonguero? How do I decide which style to dance at a given time?

Yes, of course you can dance any style you want apart for stage tango which is not suitable for a social context. You decide according to your capacity, the music and the partner that is sharing with you that moment.
 

I am excited to announce workshops with Emiliano Fernandez at the end of April 2017. Emiliano has been to Cape Town several times since his arrival in South Africa in 2013 and has made a substantial contribution towards our growing tango scene.

The overall theme of the workshops this time will be the two predominant distinctive tango styles that are danced socially in Buenos Aires, namely, Tango Salon and Tango Milonguero.

We will be looking at the qualities that define these styles, how they developed and most importantly, how you can use concepts inherent in these to connect with your partner in a way that only tango can offer. The workshops will give tangueros an important contextual understanding of tango as it is rooted as a social dance in the Rio de la Plata.

Workshop Themes

Thursday: 27th April: 7:30 – 9:00 Milonga for Fun
Friday 28th April: 6:30 - 8:00 pm Walking the Valz (intermediate), followed by guided practica
Saturday: 2pm- 3:30 pm Extreme Milonguero
Saturday 7:30 – 8:30 Premilonga lesson Salon Basics
Sunday: 1- 2:30 pm Giros milonguero style (advanced)
Sunday 3:00 – 4: 30 pm Giros Salon Style (advanced)
Sunday 6:00- 8:00 pm Guided Practica

Venues for the workshops and practica will be confirmed.
 
Cost R150 per workshop.
Early Bird Special: Pay for 4 workshops by 20 April for R520
 
 

Dima Berk will be in Cape Town for the next two weeks giving group and private tango lessons. Dima has taught with his wife Noora in Washington DC for over ten years. To find out more about Dima and his passion for tango I asked him some questions....

What inspires you about Argentine tango? 

Argentine tango attraction started with appreciation of tango music. Music creates the mood and elevates your spirit.   My continuous exploration of the dance technique keeps surprising me with unlimited possibilities of improvisation and variety of musical expression. 
 
In your experience what do you see as the key strategies for improvement?

One of the best strategies for improvement is continuous study and practice. Finding a local teacher that inspires you to explore deeper into the tango technique. Attending festivals and marathons in different countries, you encounter a great variety of styles and meet all the cool tango people. Spending time in Argentina, couple of weeks every one or two years. 
 
What  is your view on the role of the follower?  

Follower role is surprisingly very complicated. As a follower you're having a subtle conversation with the leader while interpreting the music. The relationship between leader and the follower is an ongoing exchange of ideas in the language of tango movements and feeling of the music. Great followers embrace variations of leader style while maintaining the independence of their own expression.  

Who are your favorite teachers?

My favorite teachers range from world known to local teachers from traditional to nuevo, however what unites them is the passionate approach to teaching and how much inspiration and energy they bring to classes. Here is the list in no particular order: Sharna Fabiano, Javier Rochwarger , Alex Krebs, Julio and Christina Balmaseda, Martin and Mauricio Maldonado, Gaston Torelli and Moira Castellano, Chicho and Juana, Homer and Christina Ladas....

What do you see as the challenges of transmitting Argentine Tango in a removed cultural context?

Argentine Tango as a culture has many roots and this helps me to find the connection with students in almost any cultural context. When I talk about the musicality and physical movement I can relate to the African and European and Jewish roots of the music to explain the use of different instruments or beat and melody structures. As an explanation of physical movement I often find students can relate to folk dance movements or martial arts or other sports. To make my classes accessible and fun I strive to find the type of physical or musical experience that students can naturally relate and visualize.

Dimas Programme:

Saturday 18th March

1- 2:15 pm: On and off axis calesita as a Conversation Piece
2:45- 4 pm: Mastering the cross for advanced dancers

Sunday 19th March

1-2:15 pm: Playful Displacement Strategies for Leaders and Followers
2:45 - 4pm: Who is leading the turn in media lunas?

Lessons will be at the Observatory Community Centre and are R150 each. Please book with Rachael Glaser: rachael@libertango.co.za

Private lessons can be arranged at R690 per hour or R590 per hour for a package of 3 lessons.