inspire and renew me please

Time flies by too fast.. too much to do as ever, in other areas of life than tango, but still I am driven to do something special for Tango Malvern. This week we have some very exciting, incredibly special young visitors, to inspire and renew us.



Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

yummy shoes...

A new year has arrived - let's hope we greet more enthusiastic tangueros and tangueras into our growing tango community this week!

Dancing tango has to qualify as one of the best healthy resolutions you can make for yourself-

it's sociable, good for your posture, your brain, (in lots of ways..even maybe helping prevent dementia according to research) .....tango is incredibly pleasurable via its beautiful music and shared connection with your partner, it can lead to totally new experiences locally and through travel, widening interest in other cultures and languages ...

amongst a whole host of benefits to name just a few ,and, not forgetting of course,

there are the most exquisite SHOES ever imaginable ..........see you soon...

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

local or international connection..

Busy busy busy..even our "local" tango scene has revved up over the last year or so. Now it's difficult to plan bigger events such as workshops and milongas for fear of clashing with another group nearby (when I say "local" I mean probably within an hour's drive )...

However.....our last really special tango splurge was a few weeks ago now, with our much awaited for and greatly appreciated Korey Ireland and his partner Adeline Schieferstein, (it took a year of planning to arrange..) and yet its taken me till now to sit down a minute and reflect.

I accept no one wants to read endless waffle, but still I need to remind ourselves of a few points of the weekend we so much enjoyed and benefitted from here in the wilds of Worcestershire, England, not Buenos Aires that is..!!

We read a lot of conflicting comments on the web from tango purists, tango "fascists" ..and then those who really want to be in the spotlight literally- on the stage, legs flashing everywhere, epitomised by TV's "Strictly..."

Our mission here in gentle Worcestershire is to promote salon tango, or social tango, the non aggressive, elegant, subtle form of tango danced more typically in the milongas of Buenos Aires. From the outside this may not look so dramatic as some styles, but then, the feeling runs deeper, so nerve-tinglingly deep in close embrace but perhaps "just walking" that I know which style I prefer to share with someone else..

So looking back on that weekend of workshops we shared with Korey and Adeline, it's the memory of that gentle presence that prevails, discreet, moving and intense...

the focus on the connection, the relationship between each other, and the MUSIC, said it all.

We were treated on the Saturday night to a live and spontaneous musical set with Korey on his bandoneon, Cliff on guitar, Xenia violin and Peter Okell-Walker also guitar...

"Brilliant. "...The floor was filled with joyful dancers..a dream indeed.

We will carry on this mission here in Malvern, to try to develop tango for all people, for enjoyment, spiritually and emotionally, it has to be salon (or social) tango...

Incidentally, our "local do, although primarily intended for the tango regulars from here and nearby, in fact brought visitors from far and wide including, Huddersfield, Southampton, Wales, Bristol, and New Zealand! Great to make these lovely warm tango connections ...

looking forward to continuing with this ..more similar workshops and weekends hopefully coming up ....

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

passionate day with Tango Siempre

Over a week since our anniversary big do and Valentine's Day Tea Dance with the totally amazing Tango Siempre! There was a tremendous amount of work in the preparation for the event especially the catering arrangements which turned out to be just us! Cakes of all sizes from tiny cup cakes to big layered sponges were turned out furiously and even the scones were made at home in the Aga in the morning, to make sure they were at their very freshest best for the afternoon tea with cream and raspberry jam.

Fortunately we had opted for a later performance slot from Tango Siempre, with Dj Andreas Wichter taking the helm from opening time of 3pm until we stopped for tea around 5'ish, with the big band striking up in brilliant form afterwards.

Wow, were they worth it? The energy from their intense playing entranced virtually everyone to come on to the dance floor to tango. Even some people who had never danced tango before in their lives chanced themselves to the swirling tide of tangueros . Magnificent seems a too simple word to describe their music. All I know is I danced to virtually every song they played and it was like a perfect dream, over too soon..

Come back to Malvern soon Tango Siempre! We don't even need the excuse of Valentine's Day, just come back and play ..

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

macho tangueros in malvern!

What a difference a week makes, sunshine has arrived and the deep snow of the last days and weeks seems almost a dream. Maybe the dynamics of our tango class tomorrow will also be different from last Monday's, when I thought for a moment that I'd advertised a class "especially for leaders" as I noticed only men filter past me on the door.

Fortunately, some "followers" did arrive eventually, the hard core devotees of our club, thank you girls! Of course, for us women who have had to share men over the last few years, quite often at a ratio 0f 3:1, (fortunately hardly ever in Malvern!) this sort of evening comes as welcome treat!

Our guest teachers Loyd Vidal and Sandra Bernard however, handled the situation admirably, with quite wicked humour, and, the men seemed to enjoy the class theme of learning to follow as well as lead. There were some chuckles about dancing close embrace or not, and consoling remarks of men having originally learnt to tango in Argentina with other men, so ultimately the class was a great success.

When analysing the evening the next day, I worried that I may have frighted some of the girls away(?!) but dear friend Mhari pointed out to me that it was probably all due to the snow, the "treacherous roads"(once again!) as in the main women don't like driving around in such conditions, where as men regard it as having fun!

Well, what a relief, and thank you boys !! Now I feel even more proud of our truly macho tangueros we are blessed with here in little old Malvern. And girls, perhaps you should remember to appreciate them a tiny bit more, after all they make a big effort to learn this beautiful dance, in all weathers and with such good humour as well! It really does take two to tango.

PS., and to our brave girls who risked the roads to make the class, well done and thank you as well, you really do have what it takes to be a great tanguera: attitude!

PPS., dear Macho Tangueros and fiesty Tangueras, don't forget it's Valentine's Day in 4 weeks time from today, and we have the most wonderful treat planned for you all - Sunday February 14th at Colwall Village Hall, the most extravagant event we have so far organized: Valentine's Tea Dance with luscious irresistible cream tea, and fabulous live music by the internationally acclaimed Tango Siempre! Love and tango. You want it, we do it.

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

snow and new year resolutions

This snowy weather has been challenging for us country folk, roads have been "treacherous" according to the Daily Telegraph and many events and classes have had to be canceled or postponed. I am really looking forward to our regular Monday night class though tomorrow night, with guest tango teachers (albeit no further extreme weather!) Loyd Vidal and Sandra Bernard of Gallo Ciego tango club, b'ham. They should soon get us back on the straight and narrow. I hope everyone else will feel the same. The Christmas and New Year break has gone on longer than ever, exacerbated by the snow, and my clothes are feeling a little on the tight side too. However, we almost don't need to make resolutions (in the traditional self-righteous sense) if we are committed tangueros and tangueras, as leading a life devoted to tango really can keep us healthy both physically and emotionally. I should feel relaxed about my little bit of extra padding my body has added over the festive period and all the comforting family cooking, for a week or so of serious dancing will soon do its job hopefully. Tango is the way forward, as it was last year .. more lessons, more workshops, more musical awareness, but most importantly more sensitivity from both leaders and followers. My resolution is to simply continue spreading this wonderful secret to good physical and emotional health, tango more, but with true conviction and utter commitment to the person dancing opposite!


Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

sorry for the cliche

What a time we've been having, and while I keep thinking about the blog, somehow the subject keeps changing. Of course it's that time of year, with so many events going on in tango as well as the "other life". Last night we went to the Cheltenham Christmas milonga and how different that was to say, just a few months ago. We arrived late, (in typical style) after sorting out some unavoidable "extramural activities" and I scanned the hall to see who was there. At first I thought a few people who I'd hoped to see weren't there, but no! I was wrong, for soon I noticed one of our lovely blossoming tangueras dancing with the stylishly cool Georgios . It is amazing what tango brings out in people, perhaps first of all in the shoes, then the clothes, and maybe then the hair...Life is for living, and dancing tango certainly allows us this affirmation.
I feel tempted to address any possible readers as "darlings" because as cliched as that may seem, and also at the risk of sounding sentimental, it's how I now honestly feel when I see those lovely familiar faces across the room. We share a joy for this beautiful dance, the music, the freedom it allows us to express ourselves, the warmth of the shared embrace and that glorious connection we feel when dancing together and with our fellow dancers...
it's tango ... thank you for hosting a great night Janet and all at Tango Cheltenham.





Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

after the ball....

This should have been posted after the Salon tango event on 14th November... somehow it was put aside....

After the ball is over, we can reflect on the weekend that has now passed by. Life has returned to normal, we had our regular monday class although as our guest teachers had flu we actually ended up doing a practica instead- which in some ways was no bad thing.
The salon workshops with Andreas Wichter on saturday were undoubtedly excellent making us aware of our posture, think about the embrace, and components of tango movements including 4 variations on the cross. For us mere mortals trying to lead these it was quite challenging , but he did emphasise the need to practice, and "do our homework"
I wonder how may people do go home and actually practice?

Sometimes.

But back to the glamour we shared during the "Salon" on the Saturday night. We had invited dancers to dress the part in 30's and 40's attire, to enjoy the golden age music..We didn't expect Fred and Ginger to arrive though, or the wartime RAF officer, a lady in a mink stole over 1930's black lace dress, another in a 1940's print dress with blue snood covering her hair, nor a young glamorous couple in evening dress and tuxedo, straight from Hollywood perhaps. I do hope those pictures come out, it was such a beautiful scene at the Feathers Hotel. Candles flickered on the walls and chandeliers gently twinkled. The floor was smooth and immaculate. Darkness outside the windows cockooned the select party in the ball room. Some couples sipped champagne, the perfect accompaniment to the delicate canapes. An evening to remember fondly.




Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

another Tango Malvern exciting event just around the corner!

How full and interesting a tango life we've been living these last few weeks. We had a wonderful time at the Tango Feast down in Devon with friends old and new and all led by Tara and Fernando, Jenny Francis and Ricardo Oria. Some beautiful dances too.

Now we are madly organizing our next Tango Malvern event on November 14th, at the spectacular Feathers hotel in nearby Ledbury. We have been promoting salon style tango within our group, and have greatly enjoyed recent Monday night classes at Malvern with Loyd And Sandra from Birmingham.

We are now looking forward to our first visit from Andreas Wichter and preparing for some wonderful in depth workshops doing just salon tango, beautifully.... so this time its 2 special workshops in the afternoon of November 14th, and then in the evening a destined to be glittering "Salon de Tango." all in the rather glorious Feathers hotel. We aim to have a truly fabulous time!

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

Thank you for your company!

YES! We had a great time at the Tango Fiesta!! Two real action packed days for some of us(!!)....starting with some excellent body and mind preparation work with Tessa the Iyengar yoga teacher...

Ok this seemed a bit crazy at first, but it certainly helped...

What were the highlights of this weekend ? Well, the workshops on Friday with Isolde were lovely, true technique based ... and there was a genuinely peaceful atmosphere amongst the dancers..while on Friday night we really let our hair down at the "milonga relajado" ...I was the Dj for the evening, but undoubtedly benefitted from the company of the celebrated "wheelbarrow sound system" ..(On the Bank Holiday Monday after the fiesta weekend the famous green wheelbarrow was one of the highlights at the Ledbury carnival, but the dancing on the streets there was not only tango.....)

Saturday was a day of great conviviality amongst the tangueros, workshops were full with Eduardo Bozzo and Isolde Kanikani leading some excellent themes, a "fun milonga" and lastly the very popular "volcadas/colgaldas...."

At the Fiesta milonga on saturday night Dj Alchemist took charge of all the music,( a relief for me!) and we were also treated to a wonderful impromptu tango display by our two stunning and charismatic dancers...Eduardo and Isolde...

Really, it was a perfect evening, very relaxed, lots of dancers on the floor all night, and our crowd boasted visitors from Coventry, Birmingham, Shrewsbury,Rugby, Hereford, Ross, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Southampton, let alone Malvern and Colwall itself..

Mhari excelled herself with her cakes ...Thank you they were wickedly delicious, we will be ordering for the next time! And maybe some of your fans will be back too...

Colwall village hall, Tango Malvern will return soon!!

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

let them eat cake....

A few weeks to plan "the new term" and getting things organized for Malvern's first ever tango festival? The idea seemed almost too sensible, but fortunate in retrospect, as it has turned out there really is a tremendous amount to do!
But, we have danced in Bristol with Eduardo, and another time at Tango West's new venue under the exacting eye of Andreas Wichter...a beautiful vals workshop.....then later up in Birmingham to Lloyd and Sandra's tango club...a great milonga class as it happened...
How good it is to go to some really good classes as a tango pupil ...and we look forward to some of their future visits to "Tango Malvern"....in the autumn!!

In the meantime, The "Tango Fiesta" takes shape...workshops all planned, Iyengar yoga scheduled first thing...lots of dancing from morning till the early hours! and for those looking for alternative entertainment,(?) just up the hill at "The Chase Inn" I have just discovered there will be a 3 day beer festival...perhaps the ideal sortie for the men when their partners are involved in "the specifically for followers workshop" (!) and perhaps then vice-versa!! everything in moderation though!

Perhaps slightly less risky, just round the corner from our Fiesta venue (Colwall Village hall) there is a sweet little cafe called the " Bonne bouche" my friend Mhari told me about it, consequently we obviously had to sample their wares of course..so you know where you'll find us when the call for tea and cake is overpowering!! Isn't tango wonderful, it teaches you so much.. to connect with yourself and others and live life to the full.... that coconut cake was very good indeed....




Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

tango our passion..

So much has been going on I haven't been able to sit down and blog for weeks! I can't stop thinking about tango yet sometimes the actual writing down all the points that filter through my head can seem like a monumental task..there is just so much to say- as tango has to be the subject I talk most about, conversations at parties always seem to come round to tango, even studying the enneagram with a local group (The Enneagram-understanding the 9 personality types ) inevitably appears to subdivide people into tango types or non-tango types! A fascinating debate, perhaps do a workshop sometime on that too..?
Where to start though? Tango Malvern the young tango club in Worcestershire, carries on quietly growing and developing...we near the end of our what would we call it, term perhaps? We need a few weeks to regenerate and refresh ourselves and while a lot of our tangueros are away on their family holidays, doing their gardens, attending Harley Davidson rallies, dressage events, weddings, or whatever....we will be busy refining all our plans and details for our first ever Tango Fiesta in Great Malvern, scheduled for the weekend of August Bank holiday.
But what a wonderful few weeks we've been having here in the heart of the England, or the "New Three Counties Tango society?" perhaps? Another point to discuss?
Last weekend we hosted an impromptu tango event with Aisha and Victor, the charmingly passionate couple from Buenos Aires, at a wonderful venue nearby to Malvern, an "ecoCafe"in a beautiful converted barn, complete with tapas and a bar. The atmosphere was similar to a private party. The numbers seemed about right, almost perfect balance, and even my first shot at "Tango dj" got the thumbs-up, which I was extremely grateful for, thank you! We were delighted to the positive response about Asha and Victor's teaching during the workshops we arranged, they were clear and direct, while reminding both men and women of their vital roles to ensure the essence of tango is not forgotten. We had some laughs which illuminated the serious looks of concentration, "Ladies! choose your favourite chest! and " Men! choose your favourite cleavage!" summed it all up...only someone with such a charming accent as Aisha could say such a thing perhaps, yet really it is so appropriate, so refreshingly non-PC, alarmingly sexist perhaps, so perfectly Tango! We love tango.






Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

Take a chance with tango...

Is anyone sure about anything at the moment. when there is so much uncertainty in the world? Yet it appears there are a lot of tango festivals going on across Europe. Maybe last year I would have gone along too, so alluring the idea of dancing tango in foreign climes, yet I feel curtailed now by the exchange rates and rising unemployment all around, that even in the pursuit of true art, I feel uneasy about it. Of course it all depends on your personal situation, and if you are able to go then do so, and enjoy. Definitely! Yet tango has survived great depressions before, surely because in many ways you don't have to spend a lot of money doing it and it's in difficult times that we really need it. The average class cost is really amazing value, around here it is anything from £4 for a one hour class to perhaps £6 -£8 for a whole evening including a practica session. Therapeutic in so many ways, learning tango is a whole lot better than many other more expensive activities, while you lose yourself in the music, move in perfect harmony while in the embrace of another warm kindred spirit, exchange a few words perhaps, there is undoubtedly a power in the dance. To not dance tango now is unthinkable, and would actually be of no benefit at all, as stress levels would rise, while we'd miss so much about the whole tango scene. What would we do with our special tango gear, the CD collection? The flirty little dresses you'd never wear to anywhere other than a milonga? The connection we all strive for in tango is what makes it so compelling to do, and what changes our life for the better really. Dilemmas occur when trying to organize tango events. We need to cover our costs obviously but feel its essential to keep the costs down as much as possible to encourage people to keep dancing regularly. In two weeks time we will welcome a couple on tour from Buenos Aires to lead our regular Monday night class in Malvern. Aisha and Victor will be in London before travelling up to our quaint old Spa town of Great Malvern. A truly glamourous couple yet when they appear we will charge the same £6 for the evening as we do on all the other Mondays..it seems the right thing to do. And to enable us to really get to grips with tango, we are now in the process of arranging the first "Tango fiesta" in the Malvern hills...August Bank holiday weekend, and of course we'll work on keeping the costs down, but not our standards or style! It could be a marvelous escape from the big wide world, Cocoon yourself in tango...or maybe we should stop defending the dance but simply remember "its better to have loved and lost rather than to have never loved at all..."






Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

I'll have what she's having..

The passion for tango waxes and wanes sometimes. What is it about the dance that captivates some of us and yet leaves others unmoved? In our young tango community we watch how our core group of budding tangueros appear week by week, enthusiastically tackling the class subjects of ochos, giros and even the subtleties of el cabeceo. Yet some disappear, maybe for a myriad of reasons, we never really know why, but they are missed. It is the variety of people who dance tango that makes it so interesting, so diverse, so compulsive. Tango has conquered the world, in actual fact, as anyone fascinated with the subject will have discovered, as tango spreads its wings across the globe, we find talented dancers and teachers evolve not just from Argentina, but from the Far East, the whole of Europe, the Latin Americas, Russia, the USA as well as home bred in the UK. I have been amazed by the technical yet innovative approach to the dance of the Germans and Orientals, and the chic stylishness of the Italians, as well as the sheer passion of a genuine Argentinean!

We endeavor to bring to Malvern some of this eclectic society, for tango, although originated in Argentina well over a century ago, has over the last twenty years changed and diversified into an international passion. Why? An interesting question. Especially when you look at the fascinating array of people dancing tango today. Lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, engineers, musicians, farmers, teachers, scientists, artists, writers, to name but a few, and including young students to retired professionals. It has been described as the "thinking man's dance." In a world dominated by television, the internet and mobile phones with their constant demands via texts and emails, the real world of tango excites and makes us feel connected to the human race as a whole, far more than any cyber experience ever could.

When you experience a beautiful dance with someone, and are blown away by the awesome connection with that partner, I can never forget that line in the film "When Harry met Sally," and Sally is sitting in a cafe with Harry having just eaten a presumed "orgiastic" ice-cream, a nearby woman having observed her noisy renditions says to the waitress, "I'll have what she's having"...

We all want that, don't we? Yes please, and that wasn't even including the music!

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

shall we practica or milonga?

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring, and the sun shines, the daffodils sway and birds twitter in anticipation. My Irish setter is thankfully getting better and today we'll take a gentle stroll together to loosen his joints up just a little. If he could tango, I've always thought he'd make a wonderful leader, elegant yet masculine, but never yanking me about on the end of his lead!
There are events on this weekend, Bristol, a milonga with La rosa on Saturday, and also locally at Ross, with their practica at The Courtfield Arms , Lower Lydbrook, Nr Ross on Wye, which brings me to the subject of choice. sometimes how does one make the decision? After all, both possibilities have their attractions, one is really quite near and the other about an hour away down the motorway. Practicas are lovely for simply enjoying dancing with some of your familiar dance partners. It doesn't matter if you make a "mistake," for either the man or the woman, as you are supposed to be there to practise anyway, so you can learn from those experiences for the better hopefully. The practica is also an excellent first social dancing forum for the beginner, as you don't need to worry quite so much about the "Codigos"(codes of behaviour) although its also a good place to start observing the general rules, such as making sure you always dance in the correct direction around the room, in the "line of dance" and avoiding crashing into other dancers around the floor. So in essence, the practica is a brilliant safe place to work on lots of things before you actually try the milonga. There is nothing to stop you also practising on your own, maybe just walking around the dance floor in time to the music, or using the wall as a useful prop for working on particular steps, ochos, pivots etc.. simply make use of the space available, and take every opportunity to dance with as many people as you can. It is still a relaxing social event and you can dress up if you feel so inclined as well, trying out different shoes for comfort as well if you like. Its also quite fun to have a go at practicing your "cabezeo" as well, its easier with people you know! Although quite often, its surprising how direct you have to be with someone, as they may smile back when you catch their eye, unsure about whether you're just smiling or actually trying to attract them to the dance floor! In a practica situation, I feel I can be quite brazen and if I hear a piece of music playing that I can't resist dancing to, I have been known to simply say to someone "this is a beautiful tango, its a shame to waste it!" ...and fortunately usually they agree !
This is all wonderful experience in building up the self-confidence before going to the more formal milongas. I remember when we went to our first milonga, having never been to a practica before. I might have looked the part, but when we saw the crowded dance floor swirling around with those shockingly experienced looking couples, my heart sank. Certainly my partner gulped as we tried to somehow slip in discreetly into the slow lane, while fearfully executing our first awkward little sequence of steps."the basic 8", which is even more tricky for the novice to do at a milonga, as it starts with a back step of course! A few friendly practicas would have been invaluable at this stage, but we didn't know that then. Now, having learnt the hard and painful way, and having read about the history of tango, how the Argentineans learnt it, which was mainly of course through dancing with more experienced dancers at practicas, (not milongas) I recommend to new dancers to go to practicas often, as they really can provide some of the most enjoyable dancing you'll ever have!
So maybe this week, I've decided, a practica at Ross could be the ideal therapy!



Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

Tango Malvern's Blog is subject to copyright protection. ©Tango Malvern 2009

We authorises the visitor to this Blog to make one free copy, by downloading to storage media, of any items featured on this site for the purposes of private research, study and reference. Any other copying or use of Tango Malvern copyright materials featured on this Blog, in any form or medium, is subject to the express written permission of Tango Malvern .

Tango Malvern has taken every care in its preparation of the content of this Blog but shall not be liable for any damage or loss, foreseeable or unforeseeable, arising from information featured on this site.

conflicting emotions on the tango front

sorry folks, I haven't been out of the country exactly, although I may've been out my mind with worry for some days which has affected my writing... Tango has been good in lots of ways, but one of my enduring life companions and hill walking friend has been rather unwell...the time when I usually reflect on my tango experiences has not happened, due to this very handsome chap hurting his back and not being able to climb the hills with me! I've really missed his completely positive non-judgmental nature he has, always bouncing along with unbounded enthusiasm for life...I think he may be on the mend, but I have to be patient, and in the meantime get back to the mission..
I had a truly inspirational day on saturday, when I went down to Devon to attend a workshop on the cross with Andreas Wichter and friends. The train journey down there was a pleasure anyway, passing by the sunlit sea through Dawlish and Teignmouth, and the day provided me with much needed extra detail and understanding to this often underrated tango "move"...loads to practice on now, thank you Andreas for such excellent tuition!
Last night at Tango Malvern we had a very good class with Ricardo Peixoto and Su Parc from Warwick Tango. Connectivity, posture and embrace all came up in this down to earth but constructive class. And when they danced for us at the end, all eyes were drawn to them, with their natural elegance and sense of playfulness, beautiful tango indeed. .
In the meantime, this handsome Irish chap, is lying flat out in his bed, no walks for him yet sadly.....




Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

Always thinking of tango

Tango can really take over your life, from the obvious things like the way you choose your clothes, "yes, I could dance in that, or, no that would be too restrictive..." or, you may find yourself walking "tanguero style" when out with the dogs, do they appreciate it I wonder? Or those other walkers? ......A subject which is always cropping up is that of shoes, an obsession for a lot of us ladies undoubtedly, but how many of us have succumbed to some of those ultra high,ultra glamorous, bejeweled strappy stilettos, only to find that although they may look drop dead gorgeous, they can, very sadly,and I hate admitting this, hurt your feet, just a little,(?) or even a lot more..(!?!) .So I am on a mission to find some pretty shoes that don't cripple your dear feet, as I really think if you love tango, you want your feet to last a good number of years... I have one pair of Argentinean shoes that are my favourite,but looking a little faded now, and while one pair is ok for now, there are a few other pairs scattered around the house, hidden behind doors, some just "decorating" the place, that are not so reliable. .......Rebecca has just started tango officially and I'm pleased to hear she's found some of the Bloch shoes comfortable and protective while also being good value, so thats a useful bit of feedback, thank you!
Last night in our class at Tango Malvern we once again enjoyed a really good number, and whilst we worked on the walk, we also introduced the beginnings of giros (turns), creating the feeling of dance, and keeping everyone busy and looking happy... .encouraging for the Malvern tango scene.

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com

working out the program

Tango Malvern web site is http://www.tangomalvern.com
We've been busily working out our program of classes for the next few weeks. We are pleased that the lovely Isolde Kanikani will be coming to teach for 3 consecutive weeks, 23rd February, 2nd March and 9th.
After that, Ricardo and Su (Warwick Tango) will be joining us for 2 weeks on the 16th and 23rd March. They combine elegance and good technique and we are lucky to have them in Malvern.
Just hope the snow stays away now so that everyone can get around on the roads easily again. I had a scary drive back from Hereford Tango the other night, after their tuesday class, the A4103 ( through Fromes hill etc ) was like an iced roller coaster, not much fun though!
We appreciate the kindness of our friendly neighbouring tango clubs, everyone seems pleased that tango is developing in Malvern, and hoping there will be more people to dance with, and share our great enthusiasm for this beautiful past time.
Looking forward to welcoming friends to Malvern!

Tango in Cheltenham

Last night, Tango Malvern went to Cheltenham for their milonga at the Bayshill church. A lovely evening with many familiar faces from Bristol, Birmngham Hereford and Gloucester to name but a few....DJ Janet excelled herself with a a very pleasing selection of mainly traditional tangos, valzes and milongas, with a few contemporary tracks for some extra spice as well. A great night's dancing, thank you everyone!