Tango in Bend - Experience the Passion of Tango

Codegos-Code of Conduct

Tango Resources

Tango 101

History

abrazo- embrace. Also "best wishes," as used in the closing of a letter.adorno- fancy move or embellishment.apertura- opening.apilado- lean.&nbsp; apiladito- a slight lean.barrida- sweep. Also called llevada-transport. One partner sweeps the other's foot.&nbsp;basic eight- short series of steps including a salida, walking and a cruzada.boleo- throw. A whipping motion of one leg.calesita- carousel. One partner travels around the other.caminar- walk.&nbsp; caminda- continuous walk,&nbsp; caminar a dentro, a fuera – walk in front, on the outside.claro- clear, as in understand.cruzada or cruce- cross. One foot crossed in front of the other. Also called travada.desplazamiento- displacement. Displacing one partner's foot or leg by the other partner's foot or leg.gancho- hook. One dancer hooks their leg around the other's leg.giro- a turn. A dancer circles around their partner. medio giro- a half turn.Hola! -hello!maestras, maestros- female/male masters of tango dance and/or musicmilonga- tango music and/or tango dance done in 2/4 time. Also a tango dance party or event.molinete- windmill or fan. One partner circles the other with small steps.mordida- bite. Also known as the sandwich of one partner's foot by the other's feet.ocho- eight/circular Pivoting to creating figure eights in front of the other partner. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 	ocho atras- backward. ocho enfrente- forward.ocho cortado- cut eight. Follower is led back to a cross.&nbsp;parada- stop. Pushing or stopping your partner's foot with your foot.pivot – a swivelling move on the balls of one foot or both feet.pauza- pause.sacada- displacement. (See desplazamiento above)salida- exit, start. A side step taken together. Also done to enter the ronda.salida cruzada- beginning of a pattern with a cross.sanguchito- a "sandwich" made by a dancer's feet "trapping" their partner's foot.vals- a waltz. Tango danced to music in 3/4 time.tanguera, tanguero- female/male dancers of tango.tango- the dance and/or music of Buenos Aires, Argentina originally having 2/4 rhythm and now danced in 4/4 time. See also vals and milonga above

SOME BASIC ARGENTINE TANGO TERMS-

In tango, find and move from the body's central "axis," an imaginary, energetic line from the bottoms of your feet on the floor up through the center of the body and out the top of your head. A dancer might also be on a right or left axis – half-way between the center axis and their side. Depending on a particular move, either partner may be "on" or move from their central axis, or on their left or right axis. In some dance moves, the partners may share one common axis.&nbsp;Tango has three parts of connection: one's partner, the floor and the music. The way tango partners connect to dance is within the embrace and is at once anatomical, energetic and functional in its facilitation of communication between the partners. This enables them to create a physical and energetic communication, which is essential for the cultivation of&nbsp; the "magic of the connection." This is crucial, especially since this is largely an improvised dance, and often described as an on-going and dynamic conversation. It is helpful to pause in the embrace and take a breath (alone and/or together) to get grounded and present again if the connection is momentarily lost.&nbsp;The lead begins by extending their left hand up to their left side with their elbow bent, at about shoulder-level of the follow. The follow steps forward and clasps it with their right hand, palm to palm. The lead places their right hand on the follow's left scapula and the follower decides how close they want to dance by where their left hand rests on the lead. For an "open" embrace, the follow's left hand grasps the lead's right deltoid or rests their hand around the lead's back on or below their right scapula.For a "close" embrace, the lead grasps the follow's left scapula (or sometimes rests around their back) follow reaches over the lead's shoulder onto their&nbsp; back or to the back of their neck.The "apilado," meaning "leaning" is an embrace that involves a partner, usually the follow leaning slightly toward the lead&nbsp; but with both partners' feet apart from each other so that the partners share an axis between them. The amount of pressure between the partners' hands or entire embrace is variable and depends on the moves they are executing – it is often described as elastic. Dancers should feel the latissimus dorsi muscles in their back pulling downward slightly to help their posture stay upright but with relaxed shoulders.While dancing, every embrace is fluid and movable depending on the steps of the partners but the partners strive to stay in, or moving toward, a parallel position with their chests/hearts relating to each other. The follow watches or feels the intention of the lead which comes from primarily observing and/or feeling the movement of the lead's chest. The dancers can imagine/feel a fluid "bubble" or "ballon" of energy in their embrace.The magic of the connection we are looking for develops when we are fully present in our bodies, without preconceived notions, open and aware of and receptive to the energy between ourselves and our dance partner and to the lyricism of the music and feel connected to the floor.

THE POSTURE, THE EMBRACE (ABRAZO) AND THE CONNECTION-

Join Tango in Bend to learn and dance Argentine Tango in the heart of Bend, Oregon. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, our community welcomes you to connect through the art of tango. Discover the rhythm, embrace the passion, and dance with us today!

Experience the Passion of Tango

Join us September 18th &amp; 19th for a workshop weekend that will help develop your foundational tango skills and enhance your understanding of the dance. Guest instructors Tommy Smith and Sierra Emry from Boise bring their expertise and fun teaching methods to the Bend Tango Community for 3 workshops and private lessons throughout the weekend.

Tango Workshops:

Start your tango journey with our friendly beginner classes designed to teach the basics of Argentine Tango in a supportive environment.

Beginner Tango Lessons

Get personalized instruction with one-on-one coaching sessions to refine your style and technique at your own pace.

Private Tango Coaching

T.I.B. Beginner Lesson, Intermediate Lesson, Práctica Every Wednesday, 6:30 – 9:30pmCheck the Calendar for detailed information about the weeks lessons and/or special guest instructors.Location: Sons of Norway549 NW Harmon BlvdBend, OR 97701, USASchedule: 6:30-7:15pm Beginner Lesson 7:15-7:45pm Práctica 1 7:45-8:15pm Intermediate Lesson 8:15-9:30pm Práctica 2$10 for either or both Lessons and Práctica $5 for Práctica only

Weekly Lessons & Práctica

Beginner Series:Curious about Tango? Join Tango in Bend every Wednesday in September for our 5 week beginner series. Each week will focus on foundational elements that will help you build your skills and awareness to create a unique dance experience based on connection, musicality and expression.No Partner needed to participate.Dates: September 2nd-30thEvening Schedule:6:30-8pm 5 Week Beginner Series Class8-8:30pm Intermediate Class (Prior tango experience suggested to get the most from this class)8:30-9:30pm Práctica (Practice time)COST:<ul><li>$100 for all 5 Beginner classes and one 30 minute private lesson</li><li>$15 drop in for Beginner Series class</li><li>$10 for Intermediate Lesson and Práctica</li><li>$5 for Práctica only </li></ul>

Introdution to Tango - 5 Week Beginner series

<ul><li>SEPT. 18 - 20th GUEST WORKSHOP WEEKEND<ul><li>Tommy Smith and Sierra Emry from Boise Tango will be coming to Bend! YAY!&nbsp;</li><li>Mark your calendars:</li><li>&nbsp;Friday 9/18<ul><li>6:30pm-8pm Workshop #1</li><li>8-9:30pm Práctica</li></ul></li><li>Saturday 9/19<ul><li>1pm-2:30pm Workshop #2</li><li>2:45pm-4:14pm Workshop #3</li><li>Milonga 7-10pm</li></ul></li><li>$30/ workshop class, or $80 for all three</li><li>Private lessons available Friday, Saturday and Sunday ($100/hr)&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul>

TIB Workshop Weekend

Monthly Milonga!Join Tango in Bend for our monthly Milonga and enjoy the music, the welcoming community, and the genuine social connection of Argentine Tango.Location:The Sons of Norway Hall549 NW HarmonBend, OR 97701Scheudule: 7pm-9:30pmCost: $10 (pay at the door)

Monthly Milonga!

Schedule of Events

Tango in Bend Events Calendar

Gallery

The Night City Tango
It was something unreal, something from another world, a piece of past and forgotten epoch. It looked like you trapped in a time machine. Among the crowded streets of Lviv city, we ran into the small platform filled by light and nice music. About five pairs were dancing tango on that. Slowly, sensual, savoring with every movement. There wasn’t artists, just ordinary people who prefer body language than words. The show was stunning. 

Contact Us

Tango in Bend's mission is to create a welcoming, safe, and inspiring space where people of all backgrounds connect through the beauty of Argentine Tango -its music, movement, and culture-by learning, practicing, and celebrating together in ways that foster well-being, inclusion and authentic community.

Mission Statement

<h4>Building a Dance Community Through Consent and Respect</h4>Participants will treat all dancers, teachers, DJs, musicians, hosts, staff and event personnel with courtesy, dignity and respect, regardless of skill level, ethnic background, appearance, gender orientation, political views, economic status, religion or lifestyle, etc.All dancers will have a Consent, Risk and Liability Waiver as well as a Photography and Recording Consent Form signed electronically and on file with Tango in Bend, also known as TIB.Participants under the age of 18 will be accompanied by a parent or guardian who signs a release provided by TIB.Participants will follow any appropriate safety instructions communicated by the staff or teachers at a TIB event and will report any safety or security concerns for oneself or others. Anyone may ask for an escort to their car.Sons of Norway and Tango in Bend events are alcohol and drug-free zones, therefore participants will not arrive or dance when intoxicated, ill or otherwise impaired.Participants will respect each person's skill level as well as physical and emotional boundaries and be open to receiving and respecting specific, affirmative, ongoing consent prior to initiating interactions such as dancing in close embrace, dips, tricks, hugs, etc.. Comfort and safety are essential. We do not abuse the close nature of the dance through unwanted behavior.Participants have the right to decline any dance invitation or to stop dancing at any point during a song without explanation and have that request or refusal politely honored.Participants will report any inappropriate behavior toward oneself or toward others to the TIB event host. Participants understand that TIB is a safe and sober space and misconduct will not be tolerated. Any disrespect, harassment, aggressive or abusive behavior, either physical&nbsp; or emotional will be taken seriously, investigated, responded to and may result in removal without refund from a TIB event and may be prohibited from future TIB events by the organizers or staff.TANGO IN BEND CONSENT / RISK / LIABILITY WAIVERI understand that dancing Argentine Tango and participation in TIB events involves physical activity, balance and physical contact with other dancers. I realize any physical limitations or injuries I may have could potentially impact my comfort and/or the safety of my dancing or that of a prospective dance partner.I will not participate in TIB public activities under the influence of alcohol or other substances that would impair my ability to dance safely. If I am unsure if a medication I am taking may have this effect, I will first consult my health care provider.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I will refrain from participation in TIB activites when I am ill.Tango in Bend has posted its "CÓDIGOS ~ Code Of Conduct" in addition to providing it on the TIB website, which enumerates the expectations of all participants at TIB, including: -How to treat ALL&nbsp; participants with DIGNITY, RESPECT and COURTESY, creating an inclusive&nbsp; dance community.-How to foster graceful communication and in accordance with Tango Etiquette and Customs.-The responsibility to report any untoward&nbsp; behavior to TIB organizers.&nbsp;I have read and agree to abide by TIB's "CÓDIGOS ~ Code of Conduct."&nbsp;I understand that participating in tango dancing and dance-related exercise activities involves inherent risks of physical injury, such as falls, sprains, bruises, collisions with other dancers, etc., and I voluntarily choose to participate in TIB activities with full knowledge of these risks. I represent that I am in good physical health and able to safely participate. If I am unsure of my ability to participate safely, I will consult with a medical provider before attending.I hereby release Tango in Bend,and any&nbsp; associated personnel from any injury, illness, property loss or damage that I may sustain as a result of my participation in Tango in Bend events from any and all claims.&nbsp;TIB supports a warm &amp; welcoming environment for all TANGO afficionados!<h4>Basic Tango Navigation and Etiquette Rules</h4>At a milonga (a tango dance party/event that is not a lesson or practica -a practice session) it is considered rude to ask someone to dance directly.To invite someone to dance, an inviter waits until after the cortina (the short piece of music played between each tanda, which is the group of 3 or 4 songs danced with the same partner) to make mirada (eye contact) with someone from across the room, and looks for a cabaceo (a head nod) as an agreement to dance. If that invitee looks away, it signals that they do not want to dance with that&nbsp; person at that time.If there is a perceived cabaceo, they maintain eye contact as the inviter walks to the chosen partner - without walking across the pista- the dance floor. If the potential dance partner has looked away, the inviter should not be offended- (there is "no blame") and they should simply find another partner. Follows might stay in the same seat all night to be more easily located by prospective leads.A dancer may ask a potential partner to dance using the mirada and cabaceo at any time during a tanda. If you want to stop dancing with your present partner before a tanda ends, wait for the end of the current song, say "Thank you" and then your partner should escort you to your seat or your desired location. There is no other talking during a tanda.Leads: with your eyes, seek permission of the leader of an approaching couple to safely enter the ronda (the "line of dance.") Always move forward counter-clockwise in the ronda. Move forward to fill a&nbsp; space or gap of dancers in front of you.Stay in your lane and do not pass other dancers, especially if there are concentric circles of many dancers on the pista. To be safe, use small steps or figures when dancing on a crowded pista and don't linger too long without moving forward. Leads: always respect your partner's skill level. Showing off is considered rude.When not dancing, be respectful by not obstructing the pista or making excessive noise near the dancers. Help keep the pista clean, dry and unlittered.Leads: keep your eyes up to avoid collisions. If a collision occurs, apologize after the dance, regardless of who was at fault. If there is an injury, seek help immediately.There is no talking, teaching, asking for or giving advice, while dancing at a milonga the way there can be at a practica. And we never criticize.After the tanda, thank your partner, &nbsp;clear the floor and do not dance during the cortina (the non-tango piece of music played between tandas.)Wear appropriate dress and shoes and consider dancing with contact lenses instead of glasses.&nbsp; Make use of mints available on tables. Good hygiene is vital and refraining from using strongly scented products is essential.DO NOT COME TO DANCE WHEN YOU ARE SICK OR ARE IMPAIRED BY DRUGS OR ALCOHOL!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Please read and abide by the&nbsp; "CÓDIGOS ~ Our Agreements"

CÓDIGOS ~ Our Agreements

Tango 

Basic body stretching and overall body-strengthening exercises will aid in ease of dance, contribute to graceful moves and help avoid injuries. You will find that regular practice will help lock new moves into your muscle memory faster and improve your dancing more quickly. Again, even just listening to the music alone will help your dancing by increasing your familiarity with the classics. And the variety of instrumentation and the emotional flavor of the songs will contribute to your developing good "musicality"when improvising your dance to the music.In tango, the walk is the most important "step" to learn and you will continue to practice tango walking throughout your entire tango life.1. It's typical to have sore feet if you are just beginning to dance or after you've been on your feet dancing for long periods of time. It's important to have good-fitting shoes that have smooth (and not rubber or grippy) soles which will allow you to easily pivot on the floor, otherwise it is easy to torque your ankles or knees. Visit a podiatrist if you feel continuing or severe pain. You may first need a referral from your general practitioner first, before you are able to see a specialist. The podiatrist will be able to diagnose the cause of your foot pain and help set up a program to help you recover.2. Apply ice to the affected area for a short period of time. This will help relieve any swelling in the foot (if the pain is in the joint or in the muscle).3. Stretch and massage your feet. Consider taking anti-inflammatory medications. These will also help relieve swelling in the foot, which in turn will relieve the pressure which may be causing pain in the foot.4. Try a topical anti-inflammatory liniment such as BioFreeze, Arnica Ointment or Gel, Zheng Gu Shui, or Topricin to relieve pain and minimize swelling or bruising and aid healing of muscle and connective tissue.5. Place a tennis ball on the floor and gently but firmly rub your foot back and forth on the ball. Start with the ball in the arch of your foot and roll it forward to your toes and backward to the heel of your foot. This will help massage the muscles that run along the bottom of your foot and relieve their cramping.6. Stretch your feet. While seated, stretch your toes apart as far as you can and hold the stretch for five seconds. Next, point your toes and hold the stretch for five seconds, then flex the toes (point them back toward you) for another five seconds. Stand up and lean forward so you are raising your body up on your toes. Hold this for five seconds. If these stretches hurt, stop doing them and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5143847_heal-foot-pain.html">talk&nbsp;to&nbsp;your&nbsp;doctor</a>.7. Consider seeing a Rolfer, PT or MT to help diagnose and treat injuries and structural imbalances in your alignment which lead to further injury. Therapeutic massage is very helpful in injury prevention and recovery. Lower heeled shoes like practice styles may also help.FINDING TANGO SHOES AND CLOTHES- All men's and women's tango shoes should have suede or smooth leather soles for ease in pivoting. Women's practice shoes and stilettos should have laces or straps for security, be comfortable and supportive. Until you find appropriate shoes, you can dance in socks or put masking tape on the soles of your existing shoes. There are many shoe companies selling "dance shoes," some shops in Argentina will custom-make a pair to your specifications and you will find shoes as well as dance clothes being sold at tango festivals. You can typically pay between $100- $300.+ for a pair of tango shoes. Heel height for womens' stilettos is a personal preference and it is common to wear low-heeled practice shoes for classes and practicas. Many companies use European shoe sizes but usually have a conversion table on their website. The most important features of clothes for tango allow for ease of movement, not having designs such as excessively long skirts or pant cuffs in which heels could be caught, and avoiding scratchy fabrics or fussy sleeves. Online videos of dancers can be a good guide. Check out a few of the following: .

IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE, PRACTICE, REMEDIES FOR COMMON DANCE INJURIES-

Argentine Tango was born in the late 1800's (the 19th Century) along the Rio del Plata, in the immigrant communities and working-class ports of Buenos Aires and Montevideo as a blend of European, African and Criollo rhythms.&nbsp;Originally, men danced with men. Later, they brought their sisters and daughters to the dance. The earliest tango style, Canyengue, (often called "tango criollo" or "Orillero"-street tango) was influenced by Candombe, which is an Afro-Uruguayan dance brought by slaves.&nbsp; This early tango grew in the cafes, dance&nbsp; halls and tenement patios before travelling to Paris, where it first offended polite society who associated it with indecent behavior, but it eventually acquired social respectability as lower classes gained more freedom. Tango returned to Buenos Aires with new sophistication.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Guardia Vieja, or the "Old Guard" which is considered the first era of the dance, (approximately 1897-1917) saw a transformation of street tango or Canyengue as it developed around 1924 into&nbsp; smoother, more sophisticated forms and was incorporated into Tango de Salon and Milonguero styles, This was known as Guardia Nueva, or the "New Guard" and was adapted to more crowded city milongas. These styles featured a closer, more intimate embrace with pauses in the dance which emphisized the complexity of the music and the elegant walking which is seen today.&nbsp;It is typical to see both men and women leading and/or following when dancing.&nbsp;

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ARGENTINE TANGO-

Argentine Tango is characterized by its specific musical style,&nbsp; its more intimate, close and often changing embrace based on changing steps and its improvisational lead. The partners may often be physically in contact at the chest with their hips and legs free to move. Either and/or both partners may execute quick rhythmic or slow sweeping steps or turns, pauses, or pivots and often kicking or hooking their feet or legs, according to how the dancers are interpreting the music. Argentine Tango music has three rhythms: "tango:" 4/4 time (4 beats to a measure), "vals:" 3/4 time, and "milonga:" 2/4 time.&nbsp; The different styles of traditional Argentine Tango include Tango de Salon which features elegant walking, Villa Urquiza style which features long, gliding steps and Milonguero style whose close embrace and smaller, tighter movements are better suited to crowded dance floors. Canyengue, the oldest form of tango, is danced in a tight embrace to the milonga rhythm with bent knees, quick, sharp steps and sudden changes in speed.&nbsp; American Tango/ International Tango developed around 1910&nbsp; as a "smooth ballroom" dance by performers including Rudolf Valentino who adapted it for early film in the 1920's and instructors Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray who "standardized"it and brought it to the world of "Smooth Ballroom" competition. Early dancers Florence Walton and Maurice Mouvet as well as Vernon and Irene Castle brought it to the public.&nbsp; Its music is more march-like and percussive or staccato and features an embrace where the partners have flexed knees, are connected at the hips with their upper bodies far apart, arms held in a rigid embrace and looking away from each other. As the dance progresses around the room, the steps are characterized by&nbsp; long strides and stacato steps with many quick head snaps from side to side.&nbsp; Performance Tango is choreographed for the stage or film, typically for one couple dancing alone, and could be American Tango or Argentine Tango in flavor or style, sometimes incorporating elements of either or both, but may not be a pure style of either and is not meant to be applicable to a social setting with other couples on the floor, such as a public dance hall.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARGENTINE AND OTHER FORMS OF TANGO-

There is no dancing without music, and Argentine Tango dance is completely integrated with its music."The best way to improve one's tango dancing is to listen to a lot of traditional tango music." - Alex Krebs, Tango Berritin, PortlandThe bandoneon, the small accordion-like concertina is the basis of traditional tango and the heart of the music, lending its melancholy tone for which tango is famous.A typical tango orchestra features the bandoneon, one or more violins, piano, guitar, double bass and often one or more vocalists.&nbsp;Traditional Argentine Tango music has a rich history of music which is still played and danced to today all over the world. The most famous composers and orchestras include "The Big Four of The Golden Age" (1935-1955), Ozvaldo Pugliese, Juan D'Arienzo, Carlos Di Sarli and Anibal Troilo.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other famous composers and orchestra leaders were Francisco Canaro, Osvaldo Fresedo, Rodolfo Biagi, Miguel Calo,&nbsp; and Alfredo De Angelis. Astor Piazzola brought a new dimension to tango music and Carlos Gardel is remembered for his "cancion" style. The compositions of these musicians can be catorigized as simple, rhythmic, lyrical or complex in character which lends itself to particular dance styles.There are many modern tango orchestras today that still play endless variations of the classics but also compose new work.Nuevo-tango is a modern form of tango music which typically incorporates percussion, jazz and/or electronic features.&nbsp;Alternative Tango can be any music which typically demonstrates a 4/4 or 3/4 rhythm

THE MUSIC

<h3>FINDING TANGO SHOES AND CLOTHES-</h3> All men's and women's tango shoes should have suede or smooth leather soles for ease in pivoting. Women's practice shoes and stilettos should have laces or straps for security, be comfortable and supportive. Until you find appropriate shoes, you can dance in socks or put masking tape on the soles of your existing shoes. There are many shoe companies selling "dance shoes," some shops in Argentina will custom-make a pair to your specifications and you will find shoes as well as dance clothes being sold at tango festivals. You can typically pay between $100- $300.+ for a pair of tango shoes. Heel height for womens' stilettos is a personal preference and it is common to wear low-heeled practice shoes for classes and practicas. Many companies use European shoe sizes but usually have a conversion table on their website.The most important features of clothes for tango allow for ease of movement, not having designs such as excessively long skirts or pant cuffs in which heels could be caught, and avoiding scratchy fabrics or fussy sleeves. Online videos of dancers can be a good guide.Check out the resource page for more information.<h3></h3><h3></h3>