Carmencita Calderón - Virtual Class 10/11/2020 by Makela Tango

Carmencita’s significance as a tango dancer:

* She had 87+ years of tango dancing.

* She danced and performed with El Cachafaz one of the most important male Tango dancers.

* She performed in the first Argentinean sound movie “Tango” in 1933.

* Her dance was unique, musical. She improvised and interpreted beautifully the lead of her partner with adornments.

* Carmencita and El Cachafaz created a new tango dancing style with corridas - sentadas - quebradas (Anecdotally she also says that she is the creator of the tango skirt slit)

Enrique Rodríguez- Virtual Class w/Makela 4/26/2020

Bandoneonist, composer and director (he also played violin)

His orchestra followed the influences of Edgardo Donato and Juan D’Arienzo. It was a revolutionary because in his Orchestra of all Rhythms he included all kinds of music:.(fox trox, polkas, valses, tangos, paso dobles and rancheras.)

Tango Musicality/HistoryMakela TangoApril 27, 2020Makela Tangotango musicality, tango, Argentine Tango, makela tangoComment

Tango & Love - The journey of Maha

It all started with Love.

I started a whole new life in November 2019. I got engaged to the man of my dreams, moved to a new state, and started finding my way around Los Angeles. As I began that journey of discovery, I also, without realizing, began my journey in tango.

Tertulia #9 - Conversations with Makela - The Tango Warm Up (3)

The Tango Warm Up (3)

Once you arrive at the studio make sure you cover 5 elements on your own. We cover #2 here, check other blogs to learn about the other 4.

2 of 5) Connect with the physical space

You entered to the beautiful space that we created exclusively and specifically for dancing Tango.

Feel the sprung floor. Feel how the foam underneath the wood, supports your knees. Feel the texture of that birch wood that generously support your feet and body. Feel the slipperiness of the floor and be aware of its even surface.

Tango Technique - TipsMakela TangoMarch 17, 2020Makela Tangotango technique, tango, Tango Dance, warmup

Tertulia #8 - Conversations with Makela - The Warm Up (2)

The Tango Warm Up (2)

Prepare yourself

1 of 5) Finding your self and your center

Connect to yourself by breathing, being aware of your center, quiet your mind by engaging in a meditative state (spiritual journey).

Tertulia #7 - Conversations with Makela - The Tango Warm Up - Introduction

Any dance performer knows that 90 percent of the performance starts in the camerino. The moment they arrive, put their things in a hanger, get into their make up stand, and start getting ready. First, they apply the make up, then they do their hair, then they put on the costumes slowly. It is a ritual, and for the true artist, it is the most important part of the show.

The TANGO WARM UP sounds simple and insignificant. However, I would like to argue that it is the most important part of the tango class. I know that sometimes you let the 405, or the 10 (Los Angeles freeways tend to be trafficky sometimes) to be on your way of your warm up. You have a life out there, your work, your family, your pets, your friends, your hobbies, the everyday tasks like preparing food, grocery shopping, so much stuff.

Tango Stories #3 - Organito de la tarde

TANGO STORIES #3 - ORGANITO DE LA TARDE - 1924

(Street organ of the evening)

Musica: Cátulo Castillo, Letra: José González Castillo (Cátulo’s father)

In 1924 the DISCO NACIONAL record company held their first contest at the Grand Splendid Cinema-Theater, 1860 Santa Fe Ave. in Buenos Aires. to find the best new tango music.

Tango CultureMakela TangoDecember 21, 2019tango, tango songsComment

Tango Stories #1 - A La Gran Muñeca

Have you ever wondered what a certain tango name meant or what the name signifies?
For example, the tango A La Gran Muñeca. The literal translation could be either To the big doll or To the big wrist, since the word muñeca has both meanings, depending on context. The correct meaning in this case is To the big doll because it was written for a musical stage show with that name by Jesús Ventura, with lyrics by Miguel Osés.

Tango CultureMakela TangoOctober 11, 2019Makela Tangotango songs, tango orchestra, tango, History of tango

T#6 Tango Fitness Class- Tertulia #6 (conversations with Makela and Steven)

My commitment is for people who step into the studio to be the best tango dancer they can be. Tango is asymmetrical because of the way the embrace is set up, so it is very important that we balance the alignment of the body. The body of a tango dancer has to be both strong and lengthen. The posture of the tango dancer requires for your lower body to be grounded and at the same time for your spine to be up and forward.

The structure of the tango fitness is as follows: 1) Cardio 2) arm and leg strength 3) core strength, 4) cool down with meditation.

Your Tango Music Collection - Part 1 - By Donald Cooper

If you are a beginning tango dancer and want to get some music for practicing, or just want to enjoy listening to the music, then you may wish to buy some tango music for your personal music collection. The question you probably have is: What recordings should I buy? And where should I buy them?

"Tertulia #2" (conversations) with Makela - New to tango? Classes and "Tarea" (homework)

There are people who like to take private lessons more than others, I think you are more like that, and if you can take private lessons in addition to group classes that is definitely the best way to go. They are customized and hand picked training for you. Now, if you want to take group lessons I suggest the Absolute Beginners class on Saturdays.

Carlos di Sarli - El señor del tango

Carlos di Sarli is one of the most important band leaders of tango. There are much information throughout the internet about him.

What it is not easy to find it is an expert point of view. Here you go: Carlos Di Sarli – my list of favorite tangos (with the collaboration of our DJ Donald Cooper).

Reflections after Tango 3 - by Mantas Kliminskas

What makes graceful movements? … Sometimes Makela has us practice "moving through mud"--an exercise of slowing down one's movements to develop better motion control.

Technique, Tango Technique - Tips, Tango CultureMakela TangoDecember 8, 2018tango, Tango Dance, Argentine Tango

Leading vs. Following

What do you think?

Technique, Tango Technique - TipsMakela TangoJune 15, 2017tango, leading, following, makela tango, dance

Tandas - Musicality

If you are serious about tango you need to start studying the music. That will influence and will inform how you dance.

musicality, Tango Musicality/HistoryMakela TangoJune 13, 2017tandas, musicality, tango, makela tango