What is an Argentine Tango practica?
It is the place to grow and speed up your dancing skills outside the class or a Milonga setting. They were established since 1920s (called sometimes ‘academias’) and became very popular in the Tango’s Golden Era.
How to define a Practica and its benefits
➡️ A tango experience between a lesson and a milonga (social dance).
➡️ The practica itself is considerably more casual than the traditional milongas with a relaxed atmosphere.
➡️ Open to all skill levels. Everyone is welcome. The practica also gives you an opportunity to meet other dancers.
➡️ A supportive and friendly place to learn, ask for advice from a peer dancer or from the instructor(s) or just to workout your own ‘moves’.
➡️ For experienced dancers is a place to practice the skills you already have and develop further your dancing.
➡️ The class usually will be orientated to give participants tools that can use for floor navigation, dynamics and special footwork.
➡️ Unlike a milonga, it is okay to stop and discuss what is and isn’t working – to the limits of your partner.
👗👖 What to wear?
A practica is informal – dress comfortably, cleanness is essential.
Who will I dance with?
• You don’t need a partner to attend.
• Dancers may change partners or work together only. Both are acceptable and not considered monopolising.
🎶 What to expect with the music?
• Tango & vals, occasional milongas. Alongside playing traditional Tangos, also music from the 50s and ‘contemporary’ Tangos can also be included in the music programme.
• The ronda (line of dance) rule should be respected. Please move to the centre of the floor if you wish to work in place.
Block bookings available
“Giraldo and Mina have studied and trained with the best maestros and share this history with their students in an informative but fun manner. They constantly strive to improve their classes and open at new venues to bring Argentine Tango to different communities across London. Their dedication, experience and knowledge of Argentine Tango is unsurpassed in the UK – they are simply the Best”.
Practicas
“The conventional contemporary Buenos Aires practica, usually preceded by a lesson, consists of both men and women dancers (usually, but not always with men leading and women following), practicing their tango skills, often incorporating movements that have been learned recently or are still in the developmental stage of learning. This is possible in large part because the floor density is typically lower than at a milonga. Partners are often familiar individuals, often someone with whom particular movements are being learned together in a more structured learning environment, such as a class or workshop. It is not unusual to practice dancing with only one partner during a practica. There may be a ronda, although this is not always strictly observed, in that dancers may stop and discuss aspects of their practice”.
-Taken from Tango Voice North America