Group performance class addresses several aspects of tango that one normally pays minimal attention to as they are usually not the primary focus.
Clock work mechanism of a Group
First and foremost there is a group as oppose to just your partner and you. All the couples within the group are not necessarily performing exactly the same sequences at the same time to the same front. In fact having many couples allow for additional visual and esthetical elements like creating lines, shapes and accenting musical changes by shifting the couples within the space. So what you get to exercise is navigation and spatial awareness.
Hearing the same thing
Part of the difficulty is that everyone in the group has to agree to hear the same accents that choreographer hears and concede to modification of the movement that allow couples to look as though they are moving in unison even though in reality they are not. That requires you to focus on musicality, rhythm, phrasing and accents.
Memorization
Next challenge is memorizing the choreography. Since most of the time we learn to improvise as music reveals itself and we work on connection that allows us to convert any mistake into new opening or new possibility – memorizing and repeating the same steps and sequences over and over again on exactly the same musical accents – still leading and following – is certainly a different experience.
Correct execution of steps - timing, length and direction of steps, amount of rotation…
Usually learning choreography reveals common ‘cheats’ or ‘shortcuts’ that we are using for our own comfort. Those ‘preferred solutions’ usually got disassembled as one needs to perform what choreographer designed not what one would usually do. The speed, the size of the steps, the torsions, the directions, the amount of pivot, the embrace – all that got challenged.
Tricks, lifts and dips
And then there are tricks. Although not absolutely necessary they are a nice and interesting addition to spice and add some flair to usual movements. Although most often the tricks look more than what they really are – they do require knowledge and technique. One needs to know how to lift or how to be lifted. Although not a must – that very technique will help you be lighter and more connected during improvised tangos.
Presence and … presence
Presence is the next component. You can categorize it into two different one. The first one is the presence and intension towards your partner. That one shall be there all the time – the tango does not exist without it. It is that presence that we love tango for. That sensation that we are one and only for our partner for the time of the song.
The second one – present as in ‘visible’ for everyone else, for the audience. So the spectators feel moved, involved, touched. That second ‘presence’ we usually not care so much about. We want to ‘disappear’ into tango, into the embrace into the music.
For the performance sake we will need both. And that comes with a little bit of acting. A little bit of exaggerating our feminine side or our masculine side or both – depending on the moment.
I could never do it
Performance stress cannot be treated lightly. Everyone experiences it at one level or another. We just need to be able to still get the best out of what we know we know.
Like everything in life the show starts long before the lights go on. In our case we will be taking care of graceful entry and exit, so we do not loose our visibility right after the music stops. It has to last all the way to your table.
What You MUST know
No drop-ins!
Performance - Closed Class is design as a progressive course consisting of 8 2-hours classes plus performance. Each week new part of choreography will be introduced together with technique necessary to perform them. Every class we will practice the previous parts together with the newest one. No drop-ins are therefore possible. If you cannot commit but you are interested on working on choreography and performance – it is only to your own benefit (and courtesy to those who can commit) to work through private lessons where you can work at your own speed and your own schedule. You can work on choreography either with your partner or with the instructor.
Prerequisite
Completed Intermediate Tango Course (all 3 cycles) or good understanding of giros and molinete patterns are required. You need to know “what’s” and “how tos” of molinete, giros to left and right, and be able to comfortably change direction of turn on forward and back crosses. The basic understanding of sacadas, barridas, boleos, ganchos, volcadas, colagadas and alterations is a definite advantage. Don’t know it? – if the time dedicated in class is not sufficient - we will ask you to arrange private lessons so we can work with you individually on elements that cause difficulty.
Phrasing and sequencing
For this class ability to understand and memorize the steps is very important. Steps are visualization of what you know and what you understand. Steps are sort of like rules and for the sake of the desired effect in performance we often alterate them. So it helps a lot if the structure of step is clear to you as then it is much easier to modify the timing or spatial placement.
Partner IS necessary
We will not change partners. And therefore – if your partner cannot come – you are stuck with working by yourself and learning yours and your partner’s part. No replacements allowed unless there is medical reason and your original partner is really out for the reminder of the series. Yes, we will help you find the new one. But you will be required to work extra so you partner is up to speed with the rest of the class.
What’s the purpose?
To experience the other side of tango. Its ‘showy’ aspects and all that they involve.
Fun, fun, fun
We promise it will be fun and you will learn a lot.
Will we perform what we learn?
YES! The first performance on Tuesday June 9th during Practica Chiquita. Depending on everyone’s availability we will also perform during June Milonga – June 21 and during first Tango in the Park – July 11th. You can register as couple or as Follower or Leader. In case you are registering as an individual – we will do our best to match you with the person you shall be able comfortable work with.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are Female-Leader do not worry - there will be nothing that you cannot do. if you are Male-Follower - do not worry - we will help you to achieve perfection.