Better Ways of Learning Tango

Last Thursday, Catrine and I started our weekly series at the Richmond YMCA in San Francisco. Over the years we've found that most teachers emphasize figures and steps, often overlooking the essential elements of the dance. Plus, they don't provide the basic tools that help students to learn more effectively.

So, for our 1st class we started with rhythmic walking - that's not unusual, but rather than jumping right into a series of steps (figures), we worked on building connection.

Students provided feedback like "wow, we really need to follow!" and "walking is not as simple as it looks!" This is precisely our point - if you glance over these fundamentals, you're building the rest of your house on foundation of sand!

Dance More Tango - Long Live Four Hour Work Weeks!

Last night at Cellspace, I ran into Tim Ferriss, the author of the 4-Hour Workweek - http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/ 

Some of his ideas that resonate with me include following your bliss NOW - it's an idea that carries over from Randy Komisar of The Monk and the Riddle. About creating and living the life you're meant to lead NOW, vs. the typical deferred life plan that we've been taught to accept and follow.

Of course, since it was a milonga we didn't have much of a chance to chat. So we talked tango "shop talk."  

Tapas y Tango Returns!

Sometimes I forget that I can log on right here at Cafe Arguello - http://www.cafearguellosf.com/

Ben Bogart y Los Gatos Azules

Well, I had a much easier time dancing to their music than pronouncing their name, but it was a real treat to not only have this band bring live tango music to Cellspace and Cafe Arguello. Here's a short clip on YouTube -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1iS1ezdiIs

Season Finale at Tapas y Tango

Really nice turnout to wind down what's been a nice summer. It was good to see a lot of the "old-timers" - Raj, Nicole, Nobu, Ian and some new faces - welcome Heather, Osa, and our special guest from Berlin, Barbara!

"Last Thursday truly has been one of my nicest Tango experiences ever. Cafe Arguello is such a charming space and I enjoyed the good company and the music.. " - Barbara E. from Berlin

Thanks for the kind words!

My apologies for getting the word out late again! "Due to technical difficulties" I had an even difficult time with my business / work issues interfering with tango life - hate it when that happens!

It was really nice to see several other "yet-to-dance" folks come by - some out-of-towners celebrating a friend's birthday, a young couple who was curious about tango, and another who knew the owner Martha before they moved to their current location.   http://www.sanfrancisco.com/cafe-arguello/

Next event will be Sept 6, when we come back from the Labor Day holidays!