Last week we had the benefit of Los Ocampo giving us a workshop on ‘Milonguero’ style tango. This week we add a relevant to Milonguers style ‘workout’ to start, and in the following class we develop and build on this material by teaching you a short choreography to consolidate in our own ‘mind-body’ tango beings the manner of ‘Milonguero’ style tango.

This Saturday 11th March, the programme is as follows:

1 – 1.45pm, Tango Workout.

We will start with basic technique exercises related to Milonguero style including the milonguero embrace, posture, rhythms and some walking in parallel and cross system.

1.45 – 2.30pm Class on Milonguero style tango

This week’s class we will about the the Baldosa and Salida Cruzada or Salida in cross system and if time we add Traspie to the Baldosa and Salida Cruzada (please see for explanation of terms below). We will teach you a simple sequence or choreography in the Milonguero style.

We will work mostly in couples, and in changing roles for those that want to. We have the objective of maximising the understanding of the way we connect and transmit our lead and follow in these movements.

2.30- 5pm Practica / Milonga

The classes will suit a wide range of abilities including beginners and experienced dancers. Please come on time to take full advantage of this opportunity. Doors open at 12.45pm

Milonguero style terminology explained

To support you with your learning dancing the tango in Milonguero Style either to revise last week’s workshop and/ or to prepare for this weeks class we have put together a list of tango terminology and movements that might be helpful.

Caminar/caminata : To walk, a walk.

Caminar en paralelo : To ‘walk in parallel’. So in tango the leader can take a simple step forward with the right foot, but the follower will step backwards with the left foot. [Are you always confident you can both lead and follow this?]

Caminar cruzada : To walk in ‘cross system’. In tango when the lead takes a simple step forward with the left foot, the follower will step backwards with the left foot. [Are you always confident you can follow and lead this?]

Traspie : Literally means to trip or stumble. But in Tango it has more sophisticated and elegant meanings. It can mean to change from walking or stepping together in parallel, to walking or stepping in the cross system. Or changing back again. This is very important in tango. It is especially important in tango ‘Milonguero’. It has, simultaneously as the meaning of ‘changing leg’ by the leader, another significance which is of adding more rhythmical steps. So, instead of taking one long slow step, the leader can choose to take two or three or more quick little steps. These extra little steps become little ‘rhythmical’ beats in the music.

Now the couple starts to become part of the whole musical experience which is Tango. The different instruments might be playing different things. The couple might be dancing to one interpretation of the music, but sometimes the leader has a chance, such as here in a traspie, to play and add a little extra rhythm of his own!Next question: Does the follower need to feel these ‘extra’ little movements?

Baldosa : ‘Paving slab’ = 6 step rectangle pattern. Salida basica : Basic ‘Salida’ an 8 step figure helpful in ‘finding’ tango. Tony notes that the ‘Salida’ is not meant to be a basic choreography for Argentine tango, but an ‘opportunity or an opening’, from whence one might be able to discover Tango.

Salida cruzada : Salida but with a change to the ‘cross system’.

Cruzar/ cruz : To cross, a cross. Commonly refers to crossing one’s feet.

Ocho : Literally means eight. In tango often refers to a figure eight traced out by the feet. It can be done moving ‘forwards’ (adelante) or ‘backwards’ (atras).

Cortado : cut.

Rebote : Rebound.

Ocho cortado : A ‘cut’ ocho. [What is the difference between a rebound and an ocho cortado?]

About Tango E14

At Tango E14 we teach and encourage the skills and art of socially dancing Argentine Tango. Good tango requires full attention to each other and clarity of intention and action. Good social tango also needs kindness, consideration, patience and goodwill. And of course, to develop your Argentine Tango skills you need to actually do it, and do it as often as you can.

We invite you to come, explore and discover Tango with us. Then start to find your own Tango! 

We are a friendly and relaxed group. We even have free tea and nibbles, so you can also watch, chat, and ask questions.