A week with Monica Paz at Portland Maine Tango : June 5-11, 2024
On June 1st, 2010 in a very tiny corner of Buenos Aires, and almost by accident, a series was started, meant to rescue the experiences of the veterans of the milongas: it was the beginning of PractiMilonguero. These interviews with the old milongueros and milongueras, sharing their experiences and reflections on their lives in tango, dancing in the milongas in the clubs and neighborhoods of the city, are known and treasured worldwide.
Monica’s work deciphering the qualities of milonguero dance has led to what she shares with us: her workshops focus on quality of movement and body foundations, in the service of expressing music and feeling, together with a partner, in a ronda. The awareness and technique acquired with Monica will empower and enhance whatever style or steps you are dancing in tango, at any level of experience.
Please join us for this special visit!
Wed June 5, 6:30-7:30pm: Pre-practica class at The Elms in Westbrook
An agreement without words.
Different connections: milonguero is always close embrace, but not all close embrace is milonguero. Finding communication with different partners. How do we ‘read’ our partner’s body, and adjust?
Fri June 7, 6:30-8:30pm: Followers’ workshop & social (bring something to share if you can!)
at Bright Star World Dance in Portland
Clarifying (A followers' toolbox)
All those questions we have.. with all of Monica’s experience and understanding. Addressing the contradictions in a follower’s toolbox, when the same things have opposite answers. Weight or no weight -or how much weight, land the heel or not, resistance in the arm or not, dissociation in turns or not, pivot or no pivot ..what, when, and how?
Weekend workshops at Bright Star World Dance in Portland
*Please note: Saturday & Sunday workshops are progressive: Saturday is required for Sunday* The topics are connected, and will develop from one to the next.
Sat June 8
1:30-2:45pm and 3:15-4:30pm - one topic:
Intention (that mysterious, unexplained, essential element)
We hear this word all the time, but what does it mean? We will find the mechanism of intention in the body as both followers and leaders, to make our presence and direction clear to each other, both dancers active and alive.
This is the foundational element of how we communicate in the dance, and Monica’s workshop that many experienced dancers have said afterward, ‘why did no one tell me this before?!’
Sun June 9 - following the 2nd Sunday practica (2min walk from BSWD)
Expression
1:30-2:45pm: Dancing the melody
Opportunities for leader and follower, because the music has many layers to enjoy: expanding what we hear, and how we move
3:15-4:30pm: Tango happens between the steps
Giving our movement that very tango quality, creating texture in our expression. Less is more
Tues June 11, 7:00-8:30pm: Bonus class with class participants’ practica, at The Elms in Westbrook
Front ochos in a close embrace
Leaders and followers, enjoy front ochos without opening the embrace -a clean lead, and comfortable and effective pivot.
~Private lessons~
Please contact Monica (see link below)
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Registration details (early bird until May 30): [https://www.monicapaz.com/portland-maine-tour-2024/]
All levels are welcome, no partner needed. Shoes with smooth, non-sticky soles which have some flexibility are best (so socks are better than platform soles, running sneakers, or blundstones).
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This is a safe space community. When you enter this place, you become part of a dance community. Like any community, this one is shaped by everyone who shares in it. We are dedicated to offering an emotionally and physically safe space for all persons to enjoy the music, movement, learning, and culture of dance.
