LIVE MUSIC: For your dancing pleasure, Importango will be playing live sets on Saturday night. This New York trio super sizes the roster, and their repertoire includes really danceable music. Big noise, little band; something to look forward to!

JUST ADDED: Now offering 2- and 4-class pass options. Look under the registration tab for details.

Why Not?

Tango ¿por qué no? will host the second annual, spring festival in the DC area and has much to offer just about everyone from the absolute beginner, to the serious student and the experienced dancer. The maestros are known for their engaging teaching styles and extraordinary mastery of the dance. The DJs are renowned for their deep understanding of the music and keeping the milonga energy going into the wee hours. The goal is to bring exceptional talent to a convenient location to ensure your event experience is full of positive energy in a friendly environment.

It's a real coup to have Graciela Gonzalez grace our teacher panel this year. Not only is her Tango pedigree impeccable, Graciela is considered a "teacher's teacher." Many of the current, great dancers and teachers will tell you they cut their teeth in her classroom. Since she rarely teaches in the US, we are excited she has accepted this invitation to the DC area. In fact, the classes are being tailored so that she can present her famous Follower's Technique material - a must-have for every follower worth her salt! When you see Graciela use those legs of hers, you'll understand why she's called "la leona del tango!" For more info, see an older review of the Follower's Technique Class in La Firulete.

And to compliment the Follower's Technique classes, we've asked one of last year's favorite teachers, Tomas Howlin, to especially design a Leader's Technique course that will run parallel to Graciela's. The ending will be combining the two classes to test the theories in a more conventional environment with the benefit of guided instruction.

photo and banner image by Jaime Montemayor

Every level of dancer can benefit from concentrated practice of their basic tango skills. Receiving instruction on body posture, the embrace, good walking, and polished presentation reinforce those patterns you learn in most classes. These classes will test your conception of your ability and understanding of the Tango.

New to the roster this year will be Jean-Sébastien Rampazzi from France. Jean-Sébastien is a multi-faceted performer/dancer who brings a very traditional tango salon sensibility to his teaching and is a staple of the tango, modern, and classical dance scenes in Paris. Many DC "old timers" may remember that he taught workshops in conjunction with Le-Tango here in DC in the early 2000s. I know the followers who have studied with him in the past sing the praises of his embrace, so it's great to have him back in DC again!

All classes and dances are at the Hilton-Arlington, our host hotel, conveniently located near to DCA airport (6 miles), and can be reached by using public transportation. And to make the trip even more affordable from New York and points north, Vamoose has a stop close by - just one Metro stop away from the hotel. This is a new venue, just up the street from last year's hotel, and located right on top a Metro station for ease of movement around town without a car! The Hilton is centrally located in the Ballston neighborhood, which boasts a hip and chic vibe, plenty of dining choices, boutique shopping, and proximity to many DC amenities, making this a comfortable and ideal location to host our Festival.

Arlington from DC side - photo courtesy of TripAdvisor

In addition to multiple lesson tracks, the Fest will host afternoon practilongas to hone those newly-acquired skills or to simply dance in a more casual atmosphere, and all-night milongas with music from top-notch DJs. We hope you'll be as excited as we are with the program, and we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity you provide us to share this wonderful and special occasion with all of you!