For recent news and this month's class topic, go to www.jakedanaraenews.blogspot.com.
Group Lessons Every Monday
Come take one of our classes at the beautiful Ankeny Street Studio, on SE 9th and Ankeny in Portland!
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Park on the street or in the parking lot SE of the corner of 9th and Ankeny. Go in the brick building through the door that leads to this parking lot. Ring the bell if it's locked. Call the phone number above if you have problems. Get driving directions here...
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We blend hard work on fundamentals with fun new steps and combinations, giving students the solid foundation required for effortless grace while providing glimpses of more sophisticated elements to remind us why we work so hard. No partner or pre-registration required.
We offer two classes and a 30 minute technique practica.
Classes are $12 each and include the technique practica.
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We blend hard work on fundamentals with fun new steps and combinations, giving students the solid foundation required for effortless grace while providing glimpses of more sophisticated elements to remind us why we work so hard. No partner or pre-registration required.
We offer two classes and a 30 minute technique practica.
Classes are $12 each and include the technique practica.
Take both classes and the practica for $20.
Class 1 - 7:00-8:00:
Class 1 - 7:00-8:00:
An introductory class for people new to tango or dancers who want to get back to the fundamentals. Initial focus will be on establishing and maintaining a good connection with your partner while walking and changing weight. From there, leaders will start learning basic figures. As the steps become more ingrained, leaders and followers will be able to: (1) focus more on technique and, (2) learn to combine the basic figures in new ways that will expand possibilities in the tango universe. While this class is appropriate for beginners, dancers of all abilities are welcome as we will be doing the same drills that advanced dancers should still be practicing routinely.
Our lessons will cover the following elements:
Appreciation of traditional tango music, a comfortable embrace, proper foot position and weighting, connecting with the floor, changing weight, the tango walk in cross and parallel systems, "the cross", transitioning between open and closed embrace, front and back ochos, the "ocho cortado", and the molinete.
We will also introduce the social aspects of tango:
How to ask someone / get asked to dance, where to dance, suggestions of other good teachers, tango history, life in Argentina, and especially for couples ... how to get along with your spouse while practicing.
Technique practica - 8:00-8:30:
Drills and exercises build the foundation that supports our dance. Students who take the time to drill in addition to taking classes and going dancing will improve much faster than their peers who do not.
We use this time to show you which exercises to do, make corrections to your technique, and monitor your progress on this important and often overlooked aspect of tango.
Class 2 - 8:30-9:30:
This class is for dancers who have solid command of the concepts in Class 1. Building upon basic skills and understanding, we will take your tango to the next level.
We will generally approach tango through one of two avenues: 1) breaking down a particular aspect of the dance and showing the many ways it can be applied. ie. barridas, sacadas, ganchos ... or 2) teaching a sequence that opens students' minds to new combinations of steps they already know. This allow us to demonstrate not only how each part of a sequence can be used independently, but also show how the components of a sequence can be adorned or modified for use in other applications.
Each month has a unique focus. Check out or news blog to see the focus for this month.
Private Lessons
There is no subsitute for private instruction. We offer a limited number of lessons for $60 - come alone or bring your partner. Both of us will be there to teach you. Lessons last 60 minutes.
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For the committed, we offer a package of three lessons for $150 if paid and scheduled in advace (must be completed within 4 weeks). Video analysis/recap for home study comes with this package and will be given to you on DVD following the final lesson.
Tango in Portland
Portland is brimming with Argentine Tango. Dances are held all over the city every night of the week and twice a year Portland attracts top dancers from all over the world to some of the biggest tango festivals in North America. In fact, many dancers move to Portland specifically to be part of our wonderful community.
When you go dancing in Portland, you will find people of all types and abilities. You will get along with them if you can do 2 things: 1) smell good and 2) be excited about dancing.
When you go dancing in Portland, you will find people of all types and abilities. You will get along with them if you can do 2 things: 1) smell good and 2) be excited about dancing.
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