Being relatively new to Argentine Tango myself, I can understand a ballroom dancer's skepticism. To any other dancer (or non-dancer), Argentine Tango conjures up images of Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance--quick leg flicks, flying leaps and lifts, intense choreography. In reality, it's primarily a social dance made up of the subtleties only a completely closed embrace can bring. As a ballroom dancer, it was terrifying initially that there are essentially no rules in terms of steps and combinations (and that my years of lessons and technique amounted to nothing here). Not to mention that we're dancing with our faces touching!
But once I met AnaLinda Marcus and Paul Walcott of the South End's Movimiento, everything changed for me with tango. The pair regularly teach sessions at the Dance Complex in Cambridge and have recently entered in a joint venture by opening Movimiento, a combination dance studio and art gallery that regularly displays Paul's work. The space is beautiful and features those South End signature brick walls and a brand new floating floor to protect those dancing joints. AnaLinda's unique teaching style forces even the newest dancers to nail their technique as the groundwork for everything do, and manages to keep us laughing and wanting more at the same time. Paul's musicality and subtle lead helps even the newest leaders find their balance. The two teach regular crash courses for beginners looking to get moving fast and host milongas at Movimiento every third Saturday of the month, complete with a DJ, snacks, and a variety of auctions. (For those who are new to tango, a milonga is an evening of social Argentine tango dancing!) I immediately fell in love with the two of them and with tango!
For more information on how to get in contact with AnaLinda and Paul, feel free to contact me. You'll find me dancing with them several nights a week these days!
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