Argentine Tango 6-Week Basic & Improvers Course

BASIC 6 WEEK COURSE

In this series of lessons we will learn how the tango connection works – firstly in the tango walk – so that both Leader and Follower can feel comfortable in themselves and in the connection with their dance partner. We will then look at three basic figures, Ocho Cortado, the Cross and Back Ocho that are sufficient to get around the dance floor.

IMPROVERS 6 WEEK COURSE

In this series of lessons you will learn how to put your basic figures together to enable you to gain confidence in tango. With three or four basic figures, the walk, the cross, the Ocho Cortado and the Back Ocho both leaders and followers can have a rewarding experience in discovering connection in the dance partnership, finding alignments with the music and understanding the movement of figures on the dance floor.

WHEN:
Sundays from 7 May 2023
Basic Course 7pm
Improvers Course 8pm

*There will be NO classes on 4 June.

WHERE: All Saint’s Angelican
181 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland (parking is allowed in FRONT of the church entrance and on the street)

WHAT TO BRING: Bring your own drink or snacks. NO alcohol is allowed on the premise.

\DRESS-CODE: Appropriate outfits avoiding gym wear. Dance shoes or comfortable shoes are recommended.

COST
$100 for a 6 week course or
$20 cash at the door each visit.
$50 for Basic Course repeat

Payments can be made through Eventfinda (from 11 April) or bank transfer 0313220810211000 (Azalea) using your full name as a reference.

Please message Northshore Latin Dance or Azalea 021-173-7334 or nslatindance@gmail.com for bookings & inquires.

Dance partners are not required as we will be changing partners throughout the class, but if people come with a partner and want to stay with that partner for the duration of the course, that is perfectly fine.

OUR TEACHER
Michael Parmenter has had a decades-long career as a leading figure in contemporary dance in New Zealand. A summary of his work in this area can be found here: https://www.thearts.co.nz/artists/michael-parmenter

More recently Michael has choreographed and directed a dance opera OrphEus with the New Zealand Dance Company which premiered at the 2018 Auckland Arts Festival and New Zealand Festival and appeared in the dance theatre production Strasbourg 1518 created by Borderline Arts Ensemble directors Lucy Marinkovich and Lucien Johnston.

Michael established Balfolk Auckland in 2019 and his Full Moon Folk Ball was a successful sold-out highlight event at the 2021 Auckland Art Festival. Michael has recently returned from 7 months in Dunedin as the University of Otago’s 2022 Caroline Plummer Fellow in Community Dance. While there he launched Balfolk Aotearoa with Balfolk Dunedin director Kate Grace.

Michael’s approach to tango and other social dance forms has been heavily influenced by current somatic practices, particularly Alexander Technique and the work of Hubert Godard. He acknowledges particularly the teachers Gustavo Naveira and particularly Joachim Dietiker & Michelle Marsidi who have greatly influenced his understanding of tango. As both a leader and follower in tango, Michael’s approach to tango seeks to nourish the freedom and interdependence of both roles. He is interested in tango as conversation and exchange and finds the expanded vocabulary of tango nuevo both challenging and liberating.

Throughout his career Michael has taught regularly at numerous local and international dance programmes. His wide experience as a dance teacher means that his instruction is both clear and detailed and is articulated in a way that facilitates the learning experience.