Third Annual
Close Embrace Tango Fiesta
Friday - Saturday - Sunday - Monday October 13-16, 2006
Urbana - Champaign, IL
Sponsored by the Tango Society of Central Illinois
A Cornucopia of Social Dancing:
Milongas - Friday & Saturday Night,
Sunday Matinee with Buffet Dinner
Simultaneous workshops at all levels
- Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced
All activities at: Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W Stoughton, Urbana IL
Instructors & DJs* |
||
Robert Hauk* (Portland, OR) Barbara Durr (Atlanta GA) |
Yelena Sinelnikova & Avik Basu* (Ann Arbor MI) |
Ron Weigel* & Susana Vazquez Weigel (Urbana IL) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
In both 2004 and 2005, there were over 100 attendees from
IL, MO, IA, WI, IN, MI & beyond at our Close Embrace Tango Fiestas.
View photos of previous Close Embrace Tango Fiestas: 2005 2004
View programs of previous Close Embrace Tango Fiestas 2005 2004
PROGRAM
Newcomers: Less than 6 hrs instruction in Close Embrace Tango
Beginners: Less than 15 hrs instruction in Close Embrace Tango
Intermediate: > 15 hrs instruction in Close Embrace Tango and > 3 mos dancing close embrace
Advanced: > 30 hrs instruction in Close Embrace Tango and > 1 yr dancing close embrace
Friday
Oct 13
7:30 - 8:00 PM: REGISTRATION
8:00 - 9:30 PM: WORKSHOP (Robert & Barbara)
"Milonguero Technique" [All levels > Newcomer ]
The foundation of tango--walking--is what you will perfect for the whole of your tango life. Here we'll cover how two bodies connect and become one. Connection is what makes our dance transcendent, and we will cover some of the secrets of body language for basic movements on the dance floor, including rhythmic stops and changes of direction. Focus will be on technique.7:00 - 7:30 PM: REGISTRATION
7:30 - 9:30 PM: WORKSHOP (Ron & Susana)
"Introduction to Tango in Close Embrace"
[ for Newcomers to Close Embrace Tango ]
- Identifying rhythm of tango, milonga, and vals;
musical phrasing; developing the close embrace;
rock steps for rhythm and navigation.
9:30 PM - 1:30 AM: MILONGA
DJ: Avik BasuSaturday
Oct 14
Afternoon
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: SEMINAR (Robert): "Tango DJ Fundamentals"
- Discussion of technical details of DJing, including equipment, selecting music,
creating tandas, cortinas, and developing the evening's music program
1:00 - 1:30 PM: REGISTRATION
1:30 - 2:45 PM: WORKSHOP (Robert & Barbara)
"Musicality: Pauses, Pulses & Adornments"
[Intermediate & Advanced Levels]
- Music connects partners and allows them to express themselves to one another. Here we'll explore pauses, silences, rhythmic pulses and smooth movements, including musical adornments for ladies.3:00 - 4:15 PM: WORKSHOP (Robert & Barbara)
"Musicality: Suspensions, Rotations & Stops"
[Intermediate & Advanced Levels]
- Make the ladies sigh with suspensions!
Using rotations and stops, and lots of violins.
1:00 - 1:30 PM: REGISTRATION
1:30 - 2:45 PM: WORKSHOP (Yelena & Avik)
"Lead & Follow as Communication" [Beginner Level]
Mechanics, technique, feeling and philosophy of lead and follow; walking in parallel and cross systems
3:00 - 4:15 PM: WORKSHOP (Yelena & Avik)
"Instant Musicality" [Beginner Level]
- Exploration of tango musicality;
playing with and within the rhythm
Saturday
Oct 14
Evening
8:00 - 9:30 PM: FILM PRESENTATION (Barbara)
- Presentation & Discussion: Selections from the tango documentary film project 'Chasing the Ghost',
showing dancing in the milongas of Buenos Aires; the lost art of the milongueros9:30 PM - 2 AM: MILONGA
DJ: Robert HaukSunday
Oct 15
- Come and wake up with a Continental Breakfast buffett, socialize with Fiesta participants,
and warm up on the dance floor. Fiesta instructors will be available for consultation.
2:00 - 3:15 PM: WORKSHOP (Robert & Barbara)
"Turning in Vals" [ Advanced Level]
- Sequencing right and left turning movements for vals.
3:45 - 5:00 PM: WORKSHOP (Robert & Barbara)
"Milonga" [ Advanced Level ]
- Walking the fast ones, traspie for slow2:00 - 3:15 PM: WORKSHOP (Yelena & Avik)
"Surprising Salidas"
[Advanced Beginner / Intermediate Level]
- Various creative ways of starting the dance3:45 - 5:00 PM: WORKSHOP (Yelena & Avik)
"Ocho Wonderland"
[Advanced Beginner / Intermediate Level]
- Technique of ochos for leaders and followers,
dynamics and musical application; improvisation.5:00 - 9:00 PM: CLOSING MILONGA with BUFFET DINNER (Barbecue)
DJ: Ron Weigel
Monday
Oct 16
"Unveiling the Mysteries of the Ocho Cortado" [ Intermediate Level ]
- The ocho cortado is part of a family of 'check step turns'. This workshop shows how the ocho cortado in various forms arises from this basis. The technique of leading and following with respect to using this family of movements will be emphasized.
REGISTRATION
To receive Discounts Passes below, Advance Registration form (Download PDF) with payment (checks only, written to "Tango Society of Central Illinois") must be received by Wednesday October 11, 2006 (Mail to: Tango Society of Central Illinois, PO Box 1054, Urbana IL 61803-1054). Those registering as students will be asked to show a current University/College ID at the registration table.
Student
+ 2 Milongas (Fri & Sat) + Sunday Practica
Weekend Pass (> 100 miles travel)
$90
$50
+ 3 Milongas + Practica
Milonguero Pass (> 100 miles travel)
$105
$60
- Saturday Afternoon or Sunday Afternoon Workshops: $25 ($15 students) each
- Saturday Night Film Presentation: $10
- Sunday Practica is FREE to those with Discount Passes, $10 otherwise
- Monday Evening Workshop: $20 ($10 students)
- Milongas: Friday or Sunday: $10 / Saturday: $15
Not included in Discount Passes:
- Tango DJ Fundamentals Seminar: $20
- Sunday Brunch (Starbuck's Coffee, Juice, Breads, Cheeses, Jams): $5
- Sunday Buffet Dinner (Barbecue): $10Instructor Biographies
Robert Hauk has been dancing tango for over 10 years. He has spent significant time in the milongas of Buenos Aires and has earned the respect of the milongueros. He has studied extensively with Susana Miller for over 8 years and is recognized as one of the leading American instructors of the close embrace milonguero style, having been invited repeatedly to teach at tango festivals and workshop weekends throughout the US. His teaching success is evident in his impact on the growth of his home tango community – Portland, Oregon – one of the largest and most highly skilled tango communities in the US. Robert's expertise in teaching is in making his extensive knowledge of tango accessible to students. The practical material you learn in his classes is readily transferred to the milonga dance floor. Many tango students who have studied with Robert have noticed their social tango skills improve significantly in a short time. This is why he is invited repeatedly to teach in the same communities. Robert is also an excellent DJ, knowing how to judge the flow of energy and emotions throughout the course of a milonga and apply the right music to the moment. Thus is why Robert is also a regular invited DJ at tango festivals.
Barbara Durr is nationally recognized as one of the foremost teachers of the apilado, or milonguero style tango. She has been dancing and teaching tango for over a decade. She has had lengthy experience in Buenos Aires milongas. In her teaching, she focuses on the elements of tango the she feels provide the deepest and richest dance experience: an intimate connection between partners and intense musicality. Also, because this style of tango is for social dancing on often crowded dance floors, she specifically teaches the compact choreography that is appropriate when dance etiquette requires respect for everyone else on the floor. A protege of Susana Miller, she is also influenced by Cacho Dante, Brigitta Winkler, Lorena Ermocida and many other great and talented teachers. She teaches in her home city of Atlanta and across the United States, including festivals in Denver, Portland, and Missouri.
Yelena Sinelnikova and Avik Basu are two of several instructors who have helped to develop the Ann Arbor tango community, one of the largest close embrace tango communities in the United States. They specialize in close embrace social tango emphasizing connection, musicality, and navigation, all of which inspire improvisation. Their classes are designed to help you enjoy the process of finding your own tango while respecting the traditions of this century old dance. In addition to their regular classes in Ann Arbor, they have also been featured instructors in Denver (for the popular Labor Day Festival), Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York, and most recently Mumbai, India. Despite this considerable experience, they continue to have a vivid memory of what it was like to start learning this dance and this aids their teaching in a profound way. More than anything else, they wish to infect their students with their passion for this dance. Many talented teachers have helped Yelena and Avik in the quest for their tango, including Cacho Dante, Robert Hauk, Alex Krebs, Hsueh-Tze Lee, Susana Miller, Christopher Nassopoulos & Caroline Peattie, Tom Stermitz, Robin Thomas, and Brigitta Winkler. And in great measure, these two instructors have been guided by their experiences with their many talented students. Avik is also nationally known as a tango DJ and is invited repeatedly to DJ in numerous tango communities around the US.
Ron Weigel and Susana Vazquez Weigel have danced tango for over 8 years, and have been regular instructors for the Tango Society of Central Illinois for over 5 years. They have studied with numerous tango instructors in the United States, Argentina, and Europe. Their initial tango influences included Mingo & Ester Pugliese, Nito & Elba Garcia, and Gloria & Eduardo Arquimbau. Their most recent influences have been (in alphabetical order) Cacho Dante, Barbara Durr, Robert Hauk, Alex Krebs, Susana Miller, Alicia Pons, Tom Stermitz, and Brigitta Winkler. They dance and teach the milonguero style tango danced socially in the milongas of Buenos Aires, and have frequently been told they 'dance like porten~os' at the milongas in Buenos Aires and elsewhere. In their teaching they emphasize partner connection, musicality, and improvisation. Ron also has been the regular DJ for Tango Society of Central Illinois milongas for over 6 years.
PRIVATE LESSONSA limited number of private lessons for singles or couples are available with Fiesta instructors. Please contact us (e-mail) to make arrangements for private lessons.
HOUSING
A limited number of spaces are available in the homes of Champaign-Urbana tangueros. First priority will be given to students and those registering for the Weekend or Milonguero Passes. To receive priority in housing assignment, registration must be received by Friday October 6.
There are also numerous hotels in Urbana within a short distance of the workshop site:
- w/in 5 min.
Lincoln Lodge: 403 W University, 217-367-1111
Travelodge: 409 W University. 217-328-3521
Historic Lincoln Hotel: 209 Broadway. 217-384-8800
Hampton Inn: 1200 W University. 217-337-1100- w/in 10 min.
Holiday Inn: 1001 Killarney. 217-328-7900
Ramada Inn: 902 W Killarney. 217-328-4400
Eastland Suites: 1907 N Cunningham. 217-367-8331
Park Inn: 2408 N Cunningham. 217-344-8000
Sleep Inn: 1908 N Lincoln. 217-367-6000
Super 8: 612 W Killarney. 217-384-8000
Traveler's Inn: 1906 N Cunningham. 217-344-1085
GEOGRAPHY
Maps:
Champaign-Urbana in Midwest
Champaign-Urbana Area
Phillips Recreation CenterParking
Free parking for Fiesta events: Phillips Recreation Center: lot west of the building. Additional free parking is available directly south of this lot, across Springfield Avenue, at the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana.