Author Archives: TangoNova

Fall 2021 with Tangonova

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HI Folks – looking for tango classes this fall? I am starting up my classes & events end of September, early October.

  • A Taste of Tango: Free Trial class for beginners on offer September 30. Pre-registration recommended, and proof of  vaccination required. Contact Tangonova or phone 902-229-8585,
  • Leading Ladies Class in the works: interested students please contact me.
  • Thursday Practica to resume Sept 30th at DanSpace/proof of  vaccination required.
  • Home studio Monday Class will start in October. Possibly one other weekly class.
  • Semi-Private lessons/2 couples/reasonable rates/ arranged at your convenience.
  • Fall Milonga Schedule listed on the  classes and events page. Saturday, Oct 2 is the first one!
  • Just curious about tango? …drop in to a practica or take a private lesson, before signing up for a series.

Halifax and the unexpected third wave of Covid 19!

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The last post I wrote was a year ago and questioned whether or not we could gather safely. Luckily for us , for 1o months of that time, we were able to gather with restrictions  because Nova Scotia so successfully flattened the curve., while the rest of Canada and the US were unable to dance tango, except virtually! Now all of a  sudden in Halifax we  find ourselves in lockdown, more stringent than ever, the same situation  our North America colleagues have   been in for months! Of course, our American neighbours are quickly becoming fully vaccinated and returning to  restaurants, airports and dance floors.

Hopefully, Nova Scotia will again flatten the curve and by the summer we will be  able to hold outdoor milongas again and maybe even some masked classes.

Meanwhile. for the first time, I am  teaching on Zoom. I encourage those of you who were attending classes and/or practicas  BEFORE the May 2021  lockdown, to keep up your tango by joining a zoom class and seeing what’s doable as a solo dancer, or with your bubbled partner, right at home.

You can read more about my ZOOM class by checking it out on Tangonova’s schedule page.

Note: I am searching for an alternative met time for those who cannot attend on Monday.

Stay well, stay fit, and get out in the sunshine.

 

 

 

 

Tangonova Class and Events Schedule Fall 2020

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Covid-19 Nova Scotia Tango update:

Update: The  conditions for gathering and continuing health precautions  (as of Nov 10 2020). Dance  & Fitness studios are closed until Dec 16, due to raising cases of Covid 19. All  Tangonova public milongas and practicas are suspended until Dec 16, when the province will review the current restrictions. Social gathering bubbles are reduced from 10 to 5. This permits people to pursue tango as a hobby  in small groups only, in the privacy of a home. Take care to keep your gatherings to 5 or less, practice social distancing between couples and wear masks. Use common sense.

If we are successful in bringing down the numbers, hopefully the province will soon return to:

The  conditions for gathering and continuing health precautions  (as of Oct 1) https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restriction-updates/

Instruction: Anyone interested in studying tango with Tangonova, check class & events listing, and/or contact me (Margaret)  personally via the web site or  902-229-8585. Include your specific interest, level and  a phone number. I teach at all levels from new beginner to advanced. I organizing new classes according to the demand, so do let me know your interest so I make up small groups and find appropriate focus/level.

Private and small group instruction is recommended for those concerned about their safety and well-being due to the global pandemic. Though restrictions have lessened in our province as of Oct 1, many people remain hesitant to enter an embrace with anyone  other than their regular partner. I respect everyone’s comfort level and  work with people according to their preferences. 

Tango Events: Milonga and practicas and group classes are now happening /see listings& description in “classes and events” on this web site.

Guest Teachers/Lectures: The best way for me to bring tango culture and learning to Halifax during the global pandemic is by Zoom. We are permitted to gather to listen or dance with some restrictions, but  our borders are shut to any tango ambassadors from outside the Atlantic provinces ( and let’s face it, outside the Atlantic provinces is where 99% of the world’s tango is happening!) I am exploring educational  opportunities,  especially some  superb lectures on tango history and music.  I envision a hybrid learning environment: A group gathered to view together, while others tunie in from home. My goal is for us  to continue  our  shared learning experiences so we become wiser dancers together!

What is a “Milonga”?

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squeeze-box-argentina_11322_600x450*The word Milonga has two meanings, often confusing for beginner dancers! 1) Milonga, is a gathering/ tango dance party: an event where people are dancing to recordings of tangos, vals or milonga (see second meaning). USE: I am going to the milonga tonight. 2) Milonga, also refers to the name of a dance form  in the tango genre (tango, vals, and milonga)  with  an upbeat 2/4 rhythm, and classes are offered in Milonga.  Historically the milonga dance form pre-dates tango, and has more Afro- Caribbean roots.  USE: Let’s take that milonga class so  we can dance the milonga set at next Saturday’s milonga.

Milonga Event Format:  Tango is a traveling dance that moves counter clockwise along the line of dance. Ideally couples “navigate” respectfully  on the dance floor, not passing one another or colliding or stalling the flow. Music is played by a DJ in tandas (sets) of 3-4 songs of one type (tango, vals or milonga). The end of the tanda (set) is marked by a cortina (curtain) – a short  non-tango riff of 25-35 seconds. This is the time to escort one another off the dance floor and switch partners, if you like. When a couple choose to dance together, it is customary to dance out the full tanda, not rotating until the cortina. Should either  person decide to end the partnership mid-tanda,  it would be considered rude for him or her  to then acquire a new partner for that same tanda. These are customs not rules. If you are planning to dance at milongas in Buenos Aires, additional codigos (codes) may apply, useful to know  and readily available on the internet.

About Halifax Milongas

FALL 2020 Edgett Dance  and Wellness Centre/monthly:  see events listing for fall 202o.

SUMMER  Milonga Del Puerto Mid-June thru mid-September  = look for tango on the Halifax waterfront. Foot of Morris at  Lower Water St/across Cunard parking lot. Likely Saturday evenings. Weather permitting!

For current info, Check web calendar or tangonova  or East Coast Tango Society  FB page  /or get on my email list.

Regular  DJ = Leggy Peggy (mostly traditional tango recordings  from the golden age of tango with  a few contemporary sets. Requests honoured, when in keeping with group spirit.  Occasional Guest DJs,   local or out of town visitors.

 

 

Welcome to Tangonova

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“This is how to dance the tango!
Feel the blood rise to your face with every beat;
While an arm winds like a snake
Around a waist that is about to break.
This is how to dance the tango!”

 

Founded in 2003 by dance instructor Margaret Spore, Tangonova is dedicated to establishing an authentic tango presence in Nova Scotia. Intimate, improvisational and challenging. Argentine tango is truly the dance of fearless passion.

To inquire about classes at any level in Argentine tango, contact Margaret at 902-229-8585.  Tangonova offers classes for both new beginners and experienced students, in all genres of of the dance.  Singles and couples  of all ages welcome, as well as those learning both roles.