Argentine Tango Workshop

with George Garcia & K’ai Roberts


Friday, March 12th

4:30 – 5:30 pm Chamuyo

There is so much more to Tango than just dancing! A free discussion group (chamuyo) is offered at Old West Cinnamon Rolls, 861 Dolliver, Pismo Beach. George and K'ai will talk about the music and Tango in general. This is a great opportunity to learn about the context of the dance and ask lots of questions. No charge for the chat, but Old West does have tasty goodies on the menu.

6:00 – 7:30 pm Absolute Beginners I

If you can walk, you can learn to Tango!

Join instructors George Garcia and K’ai Roberts of Honolulu for a special introduction to Argentine Tango. In three hours, George & K’ai will teach you the basics required to get around the floor at a Milonga (what they call a tango dance party in Buenos Aires). You’ll also learn about the music, the orchestras, and “tango etiquette,” all of which are intrinsic elements of this beautiful, passionate dance.

Singles welcome -- no partner required.

7:30 – 9:00 pm Close Embrace I

When most Americans think of tango, they envision gravity-defying dips, flashy movements, and whipping kicks with legs intertwined.

The real tango of Buenos Aires, however, is danced in a completely different style. There is no room in Buenos Aires dance-halls for wild kicks or leaps. Couples engaged in body-hugging embraces move sinuously around unbelievably crowded floors. Their close embrace, or “milonguero” style tango is all about connection: Connection to your partner, connection to the music, connection to the spirit that is tango.

George & K'ai bring this spirit to you in a three-hour workshop designed to teach you the fundamentals of milonguero tango. They will focus on the basics needed to get around the tango floor, with an emphasis on connection, musicality and proper walking technique.

Saturday, March 13th

12:00 – 1:30 pm Absolute Beginners II

Continuation of Part I, however attending Part I is not required.

1:30 – 3:00 pm Close Embrace II

Continuation of Part I, however attending Part I is not required.

The last 15 minutes of each class will be for practice and/or warm-up. Please try to arrive early so you don’t miss anything. Pre-registration not required, but available.

Shell Beach Veterans’ Hall

All classes at 230 Leeward Ave., Shell Beach. From 101, Exit 193, then south on Shell Beach Blvd. Leeward is the first right after the stop in front of Alex’s BBQ.

Cost: $20 per person per class. Register for more than one class at a time and save:   2 for $35, 3 for $50, or all 4 for $60. Students save an additional $5 with ID. Private lessons available at $85/hour or $140/2 hours, contact Rich to schedule.

George Garcia has been teaching Argentine Tango since 1998. He is the co-star (with Christy Coté) of the new Dance Vision USA eight-part Argentine Tango instructional video series. George & K’ai have most recently taught tango at Las Vegas Tango, Portland TangoFest, 2002 Tango at Sea Cruise, as well as a variety of workshops in San Francisco, CA (George), Bloomington, IN (K’ai), and Honolulu.

A few words from George Garcia regarding Argentine Tango:

      Argentine Tango changes lives forever. It is the dance that fulfills our long quest. Tango is not a fad or a trend, but a philosophical exploration of our true selves.
      As a truly improvisational dance, Argentine Tango fills the void in our human need for creative expression. Tango captures our soul like no other dance. The sensual play of dominance and submission appeals to the romantic in every one of us. Tango is a primal instinct that will not be denied.
      It is said in Buenos Aires: "If you do not Tango yet, not to worry.......Tango will wait for you."

George and K’ai’s web site is at www.tangofire.net.

For more information: Call Rich, (805)783-0569.

Download a PDF of the flyer for this workshop (95 KB).

Return to SLO Tango.