Beginner Argentine Tango Dance Lessons will be offered at the Owego Elks Lodge on May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23 and May 30. The Lodge will be open at 6:30 p.m., with lessons from 7 to 8 p.m., and will then be open from 8 to 9 p.m. The event is family friendly.<\/p>\n
The cost is $5 per person for one or both lessons. Proceeds benefit Lodge activities like ENF, scholarships, charities, and kids\u2019 Christmas party, youth, community and veteran programs.<\/p>\n
Lessons are open to everyone; couples and single are welcome.<\/p>\n
Future lessons will be East Coast Swing, Salsa, Rumba, Foxtrot, Waltz, Night Club 2, Tango, Texas 2 Step, Cha Cha and more.<\/p>\n
Tango was created in Argentina as immigrants came to it in the late 1800\u2019s. Its roots are in European folk music and African rhythms and were developed in the barrios of Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n
The traditional tango music does not have a percussion section. Central to the music is the use of the bandoneon, a type of accordion. It uses its sounds and beats to create a music that is analogous of a heartbeat. This may be why many consider it a dance of the heart. Others believe that it is the due to the dancers\u2019 frame. The partners\u2019 torsos keep in alignment of each other even though their hips may be moving differently. Thus they align in a heart to heart embrace.<\/p>\n
The dance moves to the music and the dancers interpret it. Unlike other dances it uses the cross system of dance \u2013 both partners moving both of their left and right feet to create moves unique to it.<\/p>\n
The dancers\u2019 interpretation of the music is more important than moving to a set series of beats.<\/p>\n
In these classes, they will develop an understanding of frame, movement and interpretation of the music. They will explore the different types of the tango, basic, vals and milonga and the traditional and modern music.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, May 20, there will be a community dance from 4 to 8 p.m., with a Rumba lesson at the beginning with open dancing starting by 5 p.m. Music will allow all styles of dance from West Coast Swing and Salsa to Waltz and Tango.<\/p>\n