To offer a welcoming space for learning and dancing tango for women who want to dance with women, men who want to dance with men, women who primarily want to lead (men and/or women) and men who primarily want to follow (men and/or women), that is hosted, run, and attended by people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, and our allies.
We organize classes and trips to practice events, and support two monthly Queer Milongas. See below for more info.
See also another explanation and description from the stylish website of Mariana DoCampo (in Buenos Aires).
Class details
Our next series starts Sunday, September 12th. This class is open to absolute beginners and returning students desiring to repeat the class in the opposite role or to understand the material at a deeper level.
Fundamentals of Tango
five weeks: 9/12 - 10/10
Sundays, 12-1:30 PM
$75/person ($40 for returning students)
Email Max at dancekepler@gmail.com for more info or to sign up and reserve your spot.
Class is hosted by The Loft in Pioneer Square
208 S Washington St #200 Seattle, 98104
Map to The Loft
How do the classes work?
Our intro class series is five sessions. Our goal is to become familiar with all of the basic elements of tango by the end of the series. Each session includes an hour of instruction plus a half hour of guided practice time for review and practical integration of the course material.
Because tango is a challenging dance to learn, students are encouraged to choose a role (lead or follow) for the 5 week series, with the understanding that they are not then stuck in that role forever... it is merely a starting point. Students who follow during their first class series are welcome to re-take the class as a leader the next time around, and vice versa. Discounted tuition is offered to students who re-take the Intro class in the other role.
Do I need a partner? You do not need a partner to attend this class.
Who can attend this class series?
If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer, this class is for you. If you identify as straight (but not narrow) and like Max's teaching or are friends of The Loft, AND you are excited about promoting the growth of the queer tango scene in Seattle, you are welcome to attend as an ally to the gay tango community. Please do also help to spread the word by telling your GLBTQ and allied friends that queer tango is alive and growing in Seattle! Contact Max at dancekepler@gmail.com for more info.
Enrollment is limited to 16 so that the instructors can give indiviualized feedback and attention to each student during every class. Email Max at dancekepler@gmail.com to pre-register and hold your spot.
Is there a Queer Milonga in Seattle? Yes!
The Century Ballroom hosts a Queer Milonga on the first Saturday of each month, in East Hall. DJ Kathryn spins a playful mix of Classic and Nuevo Tango music, with some swing and salsa between tango sets, just for fun. Blaine Reed decorates the hall for the event to make it sparkle. The fabulous Kristin Hayden will M.C. and always has a surprise or two up her sleeve. Dressing up is highly encouraged.
- Saturday, September 4th
- 8pm Beginning Tango Lesson w/Max Kepler and Kathryn Krueger
- 9pm Milonga (fancy, dress-up tango dance party)
- location: East Hall at Century Ballroom in Capitol Hill
- $15 for Lesson & Dance / $7 for Dance only
Email Max at dancekepler@gmail.com for more information about classes and upcoming Queer Tango events.
About Max
Max started dancing tango in 1997 while living in Los Angeles. She founded the UCSD Argentine tango group in 2001 and co-founded San Diego's first weekly Women's practica in 2004. While living in Eugene, Oregon, from 2005-2009, Max taught and danced equally often as a leader and as a follower. There she worked with LezDance, Eugene's long-established lesbian ballroom dance club, taught at the Eugene Tango Center, and helped build the blossoming Eugene tango fusion community. Max specializes in instruction in improvisational social dance and is well-respected by other dancers and instructors both for her gentle and refined leading and her playful and versatile following.
Max is available for private lessons. Her fee is $75/hour for one or two people. Contact her at dancekepler@gmail.com (425-522-2481) for more information.
You can read more about the instructors for Queer Seattle Tango here:
Ginger
Kathryn
Katie
Max
Sara
