To offer a welcoming space for learning and dancing tango for people who want to dance with same-sex partners, as well as for women who primarily want to lead and men who primarily want to follow, that is hosted, run, and attended by people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, and our allies. See also Why Queer Tango? from the stylish website of Mariana DoCampo (in Buenos Aires).
What does Queer Seattle Tango do?
We run Queer-centric tango classes in two series: Fundamentals of Tango (absolute beginners welcome!) and Tango Essentials (for more experienced dancers). We also teach advanced workshops, organize trips out to local tango practices, run an improv tango performance group, and support a big monthly queer tango dance party - the Queer Milonga.
Queer Tango is growing in popularity throughout the world and Seattle has established it's place on the map for Queer tango with dancers coming in from San Francisco, Portland, Boston, and Vancouver B.C. for our Queer Milongas and advanced workshops.
Class details
Fundamentals of Tango - Spring Session 2 - now enrolling
Six Sundays: May 6 - June 17, 2012. 7:00-8:30 PM
(No class on May 27th, the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend)
$90/person ($75 for returning students)
This session the focus will be circular movement. Fundamentals of Tango is open to absolute beginners and returning students desiring to learn the material more deeply or repeat class in the opposite role. It is recommended that students take Fundamentals of Tango at least three times in each role before moving on to advanced material. The topics covered in this class rotates between three syllabi, so the material is mostly different between sessions.
Email Max at dancekepler@gmail.com with any questions or to reserve your spot. Please indicate whether you plan to take the class as a follow or lead.
Intermediate/Advanced Series: Tango Glue
Six Sundays: May 6 - June 17, 2012. 5:30-7:00 PM (No class May 27th; Memorial Day weekend) $90/person
The title for Tango Essentials this session is "Tango Glue," subtitle: "Qualities and Useful New Patterns for the social dance floor that will make your dancing extremely yummy." There will be plenty of juicy information relevant to both the lead and the follow role. Some of the subtopics planned are
- building suspense and anticipation with pausing steps.
- the infinite right turn * the infinite left turn (both with sacadas).
- alteraciones - a pleasant surprise.
- embellishments for followers and leaders.
Email Max at dancekepler@gmail.com with any questions or to reserve your spot. Please indicate whether you plan to take the class as a follow or lead or are open to practicing both roles.
Location: The above classes (Fundamentals and Tango Glue) are held at The Yoga Den 514 12th Av, Ste B, near Seattle University, in the Central District of Seattle, WA.
The studio is on the 2nd floor above and behind the Lemongrass Restaurant. The entrance is on the north side of the building off of E. Barclay St. There is plenty of parking on 13th Ave.
Tango Essentials - Variations for the social dance floor
Five Mondays: April 23 - May 21, 2012. 7:15-8:30 PM
Held in Room 32 of the Phinney Neighborhood Center (brick building)
A solid understanding of parallel and cross-walk systems, demonstrated knowledge of front and back ochos in open and close embrace, and the ability to lead or follow la cruzada and molinetes are prerequisites for this class series.
Course fee is $75 for 5 weeks, $17/class drop-in. Pre-register now to hold your spot for thls session.
How do the classes work?
The goal for the Fundamentals class series is to develop your skills related to the basic elements of tango such that you can immediately apply that knowledge to the social dance floor.
Because tango is a challenging dance to learn, students are encouraged to choose a role (lead or follow) for the full 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 Fundamentals 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 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 in Tango Essentials 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.
The Queer Milonga (Queer Tango Dance Party)
The Century Ballroom hosts a Queer Milonga on the first Saturday of each month, in East Hall. The DJ spins a playful mix of Classic and Nuevo Tango music, sometimes with some swing or two-step between tango sets, just for fun. East Hall is decorated for an elegant evening out. This is considered the friendliest tango event in town. All are welcome. Dressing up is highly encouraged.
- Saturday, June 2nd
- 8-9p Beginning Tango Lesson w/Max and special guest
- 9p-12a Milonga (dressing up encouraged)
- location: East Hall at Century Ballroom
- 915 E Pine Street, 2nd floor (Capitol Hill)
- Lesson + Dance $15 / Dance $10
- 21+
Email Max at dancekepler@gmail.com for more information about classes and upcoming Queer Tango events.
You can read more about past and current instructors for Queer Seattle Tango here:
Blaine,
Max,
Ginger,
Kathryn,
Katie,
Sara
