Todos Santos (Mexico) Tango Get-Away
Tue-Sun, January 12-18, 2010

The Mission

Todos Santos BeachGet away from the winter slush and cold and enjoy a few days of hiking, surfing, fishing, tennis, eating, shopping and relaxing in sunny Todos Santos, Mexico--while still getting in one of the most important activities in life--dancing tango.

The Village (New York Times article)

Todos SantosTodos Santos is a small Mexican village on the Pacific coast side of the Baja California Peninsula with numerous hotels and B&Bs, art galleries, artists & artisans, gourmet restaurants & cafes, and easy access to whale-watching, bird-watching, surfing, pristine beaches, fishing, hiking and biking.

 

The PlanTodos Santos

Marilyn Martin loves tango and owns a beautiful B&B called Flora Del Mar in Todos Santos.  She would like to get tango started in her community and also feels that Todos Santos would be an ideal place for a winter-time tango festival. Thus, she has invited me to visit the 2nd week in January (10-19, 2010), offer a few beginner classes for locals, and at the same time investigate the possibility of having a festival there.  

I mentioned this to a few friends and they were amazingly enthusiastic and even suggested coming down at the same time to visit, dance and help out. So, the plan is to offer a few absolute beginner classes during the week for locals, and then offer a few beyond beginners technique classes on the weekend that would be appropriate for both locals who have completed the basics and for more experienced tangueros (see schedule below). If you are interested, here's some points to consider:

  • Flora Del Mar will be the headquarters for this event. It has a large dance area in the center and Marilyn will offer a 10% discount on lodging if you give the code word "Todos Tango".
  • Classes are $10 each during the week, $15 on the weekends and the complete package for all classes and the milonga is only $50.  
  • If you know someone who has never danced tango, this will be the perfect opportunity for them to get started.
  • If you are an experienced tanguero, this will be a chance to relax, enjoy a little tango and act as a catalyst in the development of a new community.
  • If you are a tango teacher, this will be a chance to check out the scene and possibly be part of a new tango festival.
  • I will be available for privates (and possibly other teachers as well).
  • Besides tango there's tennis, surfing, whale watching, long walks on deserted beaches, and great eating.  (I'm told Todos Santos has the reputation for the best restaurants in Baja.) 
  • Numerous other hotels are available (www.todossantos.cc/accommodations.asp).
  • To get there, fly into either La Paz (LAP--driving time is 1 hour) or Cabo San Lucas (SJD--driving time is 2 hrs). Renting a car is probably the easiest, but check with Marilyn (redcliffproperties@gmail.com) for more details.

The Schedule

Tue Jan 12, 2010

  • 1 hr. Introduction to Argentine Tango for Absolute Beginners: Brief history, introduction to the music and three basic step patterns (marking time, forward & back, and 3-steps forward).  This class is free to everyone living, visiting or just passing through town.
  • 1 hr. Double Time and Navigation for Absolute Beginners: Review of the three basic patterns, concept of double time, and mastering simple turns using the check step.  $10

Thu Jan 14, 2010

  • 1 hr.  Introduction to the “Cross-Foot System” and the Crusada: These two concepts are part of what makes Argentine tango a truly unique social dance.  Clay will introduce them in a simple pattern for absolute beginners.  $10
  • 1 hr.  Back Ochos for Absolute Beginners:  Another unique step used in Argentine tango, back ochos are an essential part of the dance.  $10

Fri Jan 15, 2010

  • First Ever Milonga in Todos Santos:  1 hr class by Clay on the conventions and traditions of Argentine Tango (tandas, cortinas, cabaceo, etc) along with an introduction to vals and milonga music followed by 3 hrs of dance music and refreshments.  $10

Sat Jan 16, 2010

  • 1.25 hrs Torsion—the Secret Tango Ingredient.  Using isolated rotation of shoulders, torso, hips, etc is how the great dancers look, lead, and follow so effortlessly. Clay will start with various torsion exercises and then show how to incorporate these into your dance.  $15
  • 1.25 hrs Mastering the World of Check Turns. There are numerous variations and combinations of check turns. Mastering a few of these will enhance your ability to navigate, increase your musicality, and inspire you to create new variations of your own. $15

Sun Jan 17, 2010

  • 1.25 hrs Fundamentals of Close Embrace Tango.  Ultimately it is the distinctive look and feel of "close embrace tango" that defines and sets it apart from other social dances. This class will focus on developing and refining the fundamental skills (i.e., balance, timing, sensitivity, musicality, vocabulary, etc) needed to dance social style tango in the crowded milongas at festivals and in Buenos Aires. $15
  • 1 hr forum on Building a Successful Tango Community:  Follow Clay as he leads you through the four basic stages most tango communities go through and how to avoid the pitfalls and capitalize on the positive strengths of your community.  Free--no charge.