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.

Next open tango class: Wild & Wicked Ways to Walk to the Cross!

May 21 Sunday Tango Pre-Practica Class 1- 2 pm followed by Practica 2-3 pm at DanSpace on Argyle,

  • Simple ways for both leaders and followers.to create magic with steps they already know.
  • Suitable for anyone who has learned the basic walk to the cross, yet often intriguing for  more experienced dancers, too.
  • DanSpace, third floor, Lighthouse Building on Argyle. See events listing for details.

Proposed Milongas dates 2023 thru June

Pre-booked Saturday Milongas at Fusion Wellness and Dance Centre (formerly Edgett). Closer to date, check tangonova events web calendar to confirm details  before attending. Life is full of unexpected changes!

Jan. 14
Feb 4
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3

Dancing on the Halifax Waterfront summer 2022

Tangonova hosts the  Milonga del Puerto (tango social dance event) on the Halifax waterfront , weather permitting, Saturday June 30 -Mid September. Location: the gazebo located  at foot of Morris  & Lower Water Sts, adjacent to Nova Scotia Power. There is a large high rise being build in front f where we dance. Time: 6:30- 9:15  pm or dew fall, which ever comes first. We dance on sheets of rolled out vinyl, taped together. The floor fee is a suggested donation. Pay what you can,  The typical donation is $10. Everyone is welcome, though no instruction is given unless other wise noted. If you are looking for classes, please contact Tangonova founder Margaret 902-229-8585.

Other details: No spike (pointy) heels permitted (they puncture the floor). Parking: free at Seaport Market and another lot on Lower water , north of Bishop’s Landing. Bathrooms: Closest would be Bicycle Thief restaurant (Bishop’s Landing) or Garrison’s Brew pub (Seaport). Bring your own water.  Dress in layers – it can get cool by the ocean in the evening.

Weather & Other  Cancellations: Often the weather is uncertain up to the last minute.  Cancellations due to rain will be posted between 5 and 5:30 the day of the event.

Always check the web site events listing before attending. 

No Milonga Del Puerto Saturday, Aug 20.

Tango and the lifting of Pandemic Restrictions (March 22/2022)

Changes are a foot in our province!
As we approach the lifting of the Covid pandemic restrictions in Nova Scotia on March 22, I have a few burning questions: What does it all mean, given that the Covid virus is still around? How does it impact you and your desire to dance tango? Of particular significance to me is whether our community is ready to support a monthly milonga again. I’ve got one booked for April 9!
Read below how tango will change    and/or  join the zoom discussion Saturday,
March 19, 5 – 6 pm.  If you did not receive invite, contact Tangonova.
No proof of vaccine required for attendance, masking optional, no more social distancing or capacity rules, no more contact tracing/reporting/ other than your immediate family.
Masking:Masking on the dance floor will be optional, rather than a studio requirement. That means one might choose to mask while dancing, and not to mask while socializing off the dance floor. Or not mask at all. Previously at numerous milongas during the pandemic, we behaved thus, respecting our partners’ needs. There were no covid outbreaks since Señor Omicron had not yet come to Halifax!
Rotation:Our community is a vibrant mixture of couples and singles. For the Milonga to be a happening event for everyone, rather than only couples, we need mingling, otherwise known as rotation, on the dance floor. How comfortable are you with rotation?
Participation:We need 20 plus people to support a milonga and that means couples and singles. The top attendance at the practica since February has been 12.
Without your support there is no milonga or guest teacher workshops! What matters here is not my  analysis but YOUR COMFORT LEVEL/your willingness to participate. My sense is that people may choose to wait and see what happens after March break when vacationers return, school reconvenes and masks are no longer required.
The Good and the Bad:  Thru out much of the pandemic, we were one of the few tango communities able to dance  regularly  with only short shut downs, thanks to NS flattening the curve and achieving  80%+ vaccine rate.  But Señor Omicron’s contagious personality has been a game changer for our small tango scene.  Full vaccination & booster have proved to be protection from serious covid for most people, but a positive test remains highly inconvenient, especially for those with international travel plans.
I want to see this community reboot, yet the pandemic trajectory is out of my control – it’s all speculation. Come speculate with me – what do you need in order to return to tango?
Join the zoom call this Saturday March 19, 5-6 pm or contact me via email or phone.
Talking together is a good thing.
Thanks,
Margaret
902-229-8585

March 2022: CH, ch, ch changes…re provincial covid protocols!

Significant changes happening re Covid Protocols. March 22 all restrictions are to be lifted – wow , Covid is still around, though, so how these changes will impact individual tango dancers and their approach to our local events  is yet to be determined. Tangonova founder Margaret looks forward  to dialoguing with you all in the next few weeks. Meanwhile enjoy the return of the light and support tango practica and classes.

January 19, 2022: Report on Halifax Tango events re Omicron

Jan 19, 2022 Tango events  UPDATE: I am considering holding the first 2022 community Tango practica next Thursday Jan 27, and classes thereafter. Details TBS.

Jan 2, 2022: It is currently not comfortable to gather for group tango lessons, masked or not, due to the highly contagious Omicron covid variant and the number  of tango people waiting for boosters as of Jan 2,2022.

Tangonova will continue to check in with the provincial health guidelines re dance classes, as well as with the local tango community, so that as soon as it is workable and people are ready,  tango activities can resume in one way or another.

If it appears that the current situation is going to continue for a more than a few weeks into 2022, then I will consider creating Zoom classes again.  It is not really my “thing”,  but I managed to offer a few last year,  and learned a lot in the process, so why not try again?

Keep evolving everyone and don’t give up! Happy new year!

Don’t forget to stay in touch, and let me know how you are doing!

New Provincial Proof of Vaccine protocols for Dance events

Original proof of full vaccination records are acceptable in paper and digital formats, as well as clear photos, screenshots and photocopies. Be prepared to show these the event organizer in one form or another.
NOTE: Tangonova will not be keeping a record of anyone’s vaccination records without their verbal or written consent. By next week, I hope to have the proof and consent process worked out,  as it is going into affect Monday, Oct 4.
Detailed information available here :   proof of full vaccination protocol

Fall 2021 with Tangonova

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.