A few years ago I received an email from Camille Cusumano requesting support for her "Go Fund Me" campaign to teach tango in Africa. Camille is someone I've known for several years now, first as the author of Tango: An Argentine Love Story and then in person as a Bay Area dancer and teacher. Her teaching partner in this endeavor was Mungai Waweru a young Kenyan-American who was … [Read more...]
Leading and Following in Tango
The tradition in partner dances is for men to lead and women to follow. Historically, partner dances were a way for men and women to meet, interact and flirt. And in regard to performances or competitions, these were almost always danced by a man and a woman. In recent years this conventional way of thinking has begun to change. This was especially apparent in 2013 at the … [Read more...]
Improve your Tango this weekend
If there was any weekend that you should definitely take a Tango workshop, it is this weekend. This weekend you have a choice of some of the best out-of-town instructors offering workshops for all levels of ability. Luciana Valle Luciana returns again to the Bay Area! She is regarded around the world as one of the most dynamic and articulate teachers working in tango today. … [Read more...]
Teacher Spotlight: Erin & Doruk
There are some tango teaching couples that are so fun, artistic, talented and sweet that you just want to follow them everywhere. Erin and Doruk are one such couple. Erin and Doruk moved to the Bay Area from New York over five years ago and quickly become popular in the tango community as they are both lovely dancers and good at both leading and following. It was only more … [Read more...]
Apologizing in Tango
When we are children we are told to apologize when we make a mistake or when we hurt someone. And now as adults, it’s ingrained in us. Some of us apologize way too often, thinking it will help the situation. It doesn't. I’m not saying that you should never apologize as there are certain circumstances in which saying “I’m sorry” is very necessary, but this should be the … [Read more...]