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 "Tango is a sad thought
that is danced." “The tango can be debated,
and we have debates over it, "The tango is a man and
woman in search of each other.
ANGEL ECHEVERRIA
grew up dancing tango in the crowded clubs of Buenos
Aires. As a teenager, he was taken under the wing of the
old milongueros. His distinctive
style carries all the hallmarks of the authentic
tanguero -- extraordinary musicality,
a subtle lead and classic foot work. These qualities,
plus five decades of dancing experience, make Angel an
unparalleled teacher whose joy in teaching and whose
love of the Tango infuse every class.
CLASSES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY
Beginners 7:30
- 8:30 PM Fundamental
steps and combinations with emphasis on the
correct technique.
Practice & Warm-up
8:30 - 9:30 PM Beginners
can practice what they have just learned.
Intermediates and Advanced can warm-up.
Intermediate &
Advanced 9:00 - 10:15 PM At
the beginning of every month a combination of classic
tango figures is presented to the students. Each week for the
rest of the month the combination is worked on step by step
focusing on the techniques needed to execute the steps easily,
with emphasis on partner connection. By the end of the month,
students can execute the combination on the social floor with
confidence, fluidity and musicality and, subsequently,
integrate all combinations into their repertoire with their own
style.
Angel & Julie at the
2011 Santa Monica International Tango Holiday
An
unexpected and surprising testimony from one of our
students...
"Tango is a yoga. Like tantra, it is a spiritual path
that hosts the union of the opposite polarities-the yin
and yang. Tango tantra is a living art, as natural as
nature, spontaneous, beautiful, serene or fiery,
dramatic or meditative. Tango tantra calls for
surrender, respect, awakened consciousness, self-love,
mindfulness and an ego-less state."
We also focus on helping you begin to develop a tango “ear”. It is not uncommon for beginning students to say “I can’t hear the rhythm”. And they’re right. Unlike other Latin dances that have one particular rhythm, tango’s genius is in its layers of rhythms and melodies. It takes time to learn how to hear them and then dance to the thousands of tangos that exist. It is a joy to watch that moment when a beginner gets the connection between his/ her body and the music. Once a student has achieved basic mastery of the fundamentals, it is our delight to welcome them into an intermediate class. These classes cover steps (pasos) and combinations of steps, such as
There is also a stronger emphasis on musicality with the goal being to help the student identify the various orchestras and the style of tango appropriate to them.
With Rafael Galante. Vals...one of the most beautiful musical experiences in tango! Vals is the Argentine Tango version of waltz. Unlike Tango and Milonga, there are no stopping figures. The vals is danced in a continuous movement. In this class students learn how to combine the basic tango steps into the rhythm of the tango vals. Focus is on interpreting the music, complementary posture, embraces and balance. Basic knowledge and experience in tango is advisable. Sundays 7:30pm - 9:00pm Milonga is the wise-cracking, joke-telling, high energy sibling of tango or its playful cousin, if you will. Its rhythms originated in Africa and Uruguay. Milonga uses the same basic elements as Tango and requires a greater relaxation of legs and body. Movement is normally faster, and pauses are not made. It is rather a kind of rhythmic walking without complicated figures, with a much more "rustic" style than Tango. There are different styles of Milonga: Milonga Lisa (Simple Milonga), in which the dancer steps on every beat of the music; and Milonga con Traspié, in which the dancer uses Traspiés or contrapasos (changes of weight from one foot to the other and back again in double time or three steps in two beats) to interpret the music. Thus, dynamics may be danced without having to run fast or without the use of much space. TBA Every Tuesday night from 7:30 to 8:30, there is a class for people who are new to tango. This is a six week introductory course to tango and is mandatory before you can move on to the Level One or Level Two Beginners classes on Wednesday and Thursday night. Each Tuesday for six weeks, you will learn fundamental elements such as walking, the basic 8 count step, a simple turn, how to dance in close embrace, codes of social Tango and basic musicality. You can start any Tuesday. At the end of your six weeks, if we feel that you need more work on these basic elements, you can repeat the class at no expense. We want you to learn Tango and want you to feel enough confidence to join the other classes.
If Tuesday
night does not fit into your schedule, we
offer a once a month three-hour Sunday
afternoon workshop for brand new beginners.
Rafael Galante Buenos Aires-born and raised, Rafael Galante is a tango dancer equally at home in the milongas of both BA and LA. His father was a well-respected professional bandoneon player and Rafael grew up surrounded by tango. It's no surprise that he went on to express the 2/4 on the dance floor. Having spent his life as an avid jazz fan and musician, the parallels between jazz improvisation and the intimate "conversation" of tango become an integrated force in his dancing. While he has studied with some of the greats, he considers Manuel Martinez his true mentor. Martinez is a maestro of the Villa Urquiza style, which Rafael considers the best and personally most enjoyable tango form. As a teacher, he now spices his excellent training with his own style, imparting the essentials of classic tango technique, while encouraging students to find their own tango voice.
If
you frequent the milongas of Southern California,
you surely have witnessed his personality on the
dance floor.
Jerry & Christine Perez
(Social Tango Dance
Parties)
Every Saturday night of the year, The Tango Room magically transforms into EL ENCUENTRO (The Encounter) ...a tango club much like you would find in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An intimate gathering place for the tango experience at its raw, hypnotic, pulsating best!
Please join us and step back into an era when people
dressed up and danced close. 9:30 p.m. - until the
candle lights go out. (Admission includes a light
buffet)
Well-lit parking on street and behind the building. Several nice restaurants nearby. Beautiful, medium-sized floor. Hosted by Julie & Angel. Every Saturday -
(Even During Holidays, Inclement Weather & Other Acts of
God...) An Evening at El Encuentro
EL ENCUENTRO was the first milonga to open in Los Angeles with a true Buenos Aires flavor, introducing among other things; tandas (musical sets), cortinas (breaks), classes with an emphasis on tango etiquette, the first All-Night milongas and the only (and still) weekly late-night milonga. Several years later it continues to be one of the most popular gathering places for tangueros. Each and every Saturday night guests are greeted in the Argentinean style, with abrazos and besos (hugs and kisses).
For many dancers in the
L.A. area, Saturday night at
EL ENCUENTRO is de rigeur.
Even dancers from Santa Barbara and San Diego make it a
regular part of their weekend. Visiting dancers from all
over the country, all over the world, repeatedly tell
the hosts that El Encuentro holds its own against the
best milongas in Buenos Aires and New York.
Whenever they are in town, world-renowned dancers make it a point to stop by EL ENCUENTRO and always grace the milonga with unforgettable exhibitions. Masters such as Fernanda & Guillermo, Chicho & Lucia, Julio & Corinna, Fabian & Carolina, Nito & Elba, Natalia Hills, Gabriel Misse, Carlos Barrionuevo & Mayte Valdes, the cast of Forever Tango…and on and on. Even famous tango musicians love to come by to visit, such as Horacio Romo, etc. Legends such as Osvaldo Zoto and Gavito always made it a point to drop by EL ENCUENTRO.
Angel &
Julie with Tomas Galvan & Gimena Herrera at El Encuentro
Some of our visitors comments: "…As a longtime
tanguero who has traveled the world over, I feel at home
here". "…this is one of
the two best milongas in the USA." "…one of the best
milongas I have been to in North America" "Congratulations.
This place reminds me of tango in Montevideo and Buenos
Aires" "…the music here is
as good if not better than in Buenos Aires. " "Word gets
around…this is one great milonga" "A totally
unexpected surprise" "I love this
place!" "Always great
energy and vibes here" "A fun and genuine
place. I never miss it when I am in town" "I always find
interesting music and great people to dance with." "It is fantastic
what you have created here"
"You and Angel
have created something incredible, you are the true heart of
LA tango community. Besides your love for the dance and the
music, your knowledge and understanding of its subtleties,
and your ability to bring the very best on the
floor of the Tango room -- which in itself is an amazing
combination-The Tango Room itself is a magical space."
"Dear Julie and Angel,
although we couldn't be there last Saturday night, I can
imagine your beautiful space... already full of love.. going
to, yet again, a new dimension! That's what happens when so
much love, creativity and caring go into
a room... not to mention the hard work you do... that
appears effortless of your part. You and Angel are magical." A Review from the Sherman Oaks Patch Saturday Night Fun: Dance
Till The Wee Hours -
Can you tango?
People are learning and dancing the tango every
Saturday night in Sherman Oaks and it will cost
you less than $20!
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