Argentine Tango: The Fundamentals

Taught by Todd Thomas Brown, assisted by Mia Paschal

6 week course: Mondays, November 10th – December 15th

A half-hour for first-timers…

• 6:30pm-7:00pm: The basic of basics – introduction to weight-shift and maintaining axis in the embrace (if you have never taken a tango class, you should make sure to arrive for this segment)

Regular class begins….

• 7:00pm-8:00pm: Fundamentals of walking in the embrace
• 8:00pm-8:30pm: Introduction to figures (combinations of steps), musicality and improvisation
• 8:30-9:00: Additional practice time

While this series is progressive, with each class bulding on the next, we have structured it with an initial half-hour of the super-basics to accomodate drop-in students that are attempting tango for the very first time. Beginner Level l focuses on the sublimely simple aspect of walking within the embrace, techniques equally suitable for both beginners and more advanced students. The second half focuses on the development of combination of steps with special attention paid to the spirit of improvisation and musicality. Emphasis is on connection with one’s partner, always simplifying until the connection is felt – or how else could it be called a “dance”?

Cost: $15 drop-in, or $75 for the 6-week series
 No partner necessary, queer friendly, female leads welcome. Tango how you like,  just come dance!

ARTIST BIO
Todd began his study of Argentine tango in 1997 in Montréal, Canada, with dancer Mylène Pelletier. Thereafter, his primary influence was acclaimed Buenos Aires-based tanguero, and dear friend, Pedro “el Indio” Benavente, the two of whom later formed the project Tango Protesta, utilizing tango as a vehicle of social-political engagement. While Pedro began organizing actions in Buenos Aires, Todd was training dancers to join in anti-war rallies in the Bay Area. Tango Protesta (SF) later evolved into the Milonga Masala Tango Project, through which Todd began to convene friends and artists of different disciplines and cultural stripes for a monthly gathering at his then home in Cole Valley. Unknown to him at the time, these gatherings were sowing seeds for what would come to be the Red Poppy Art House in San Francisco’s Mission District, where he and co-founder Alex Allende taught classes throughout it’s first year. After a long hiatus from teaching, and at the request of many friends and communtiy members, Todd is bringing tango back to the Poppy with this 6-week series of dance classes.

For more info on Todd, visit: http://www.toddthomasbrown.com/
Photo credits: Marc Hors (left), Nico Vera (right)