Tango-Rolling
Tango-Rolling
tangorol
The Cochabamba practice was started on advice given to me by Gustavo Naviera. I lamented to Gustavo that I felt stymied in New York. The milongas often start too late for my early morning work schedule, both milongas and practicas are often too crowded, and there didn't seem to be a forum for advanced dancers. Gustavo grabbed his car keys, I grabbed a bottle of wine, and off to Cochabamba we went. Gustavo begin to explain chaos theory, tango, and learning. Many of the world's top dancers came out of the Cochabamba practica. It gave them a place to experiment, to cooperate, and to grow. Central to the theme of tango is chaos theory - if you want to dance really well you must be able to act and react and train your brain to do so as well. The old lead - follow techniques, which closely resemble Spike TVs' wrestling, are not going to work. Both leader and follower become active partners in the movement. I know, what a concept - partners. It's not a step, it's not lead with hands, a follower is not pushed, pulled, or tossed around the floor. It is the presentation of a movement that propels the leader to present the idea and the follower to act on the idea.
How the Cochabamba Practica works....
Our practica lasts about two hours. The first 20 - 30 minutes is the free form warm up and sequence creation. Whatever floats your boat goes. It also serves as a time cushion for those of us that are less than punctual. The next two 30 minute periods are devoted to sequences. Participants "volunteer" and create long sequences of between 1 - 2 phrases. They use the warm up period to create their sequences which they then demonstrate and provide learning assistance to their fellow dancers. As a group, we discuss the sequence for alternatives, lead & follow technique, rhythm, phrasing, and line of force. We change partners throughout the sequences at least once. All dancers are asked to participate. We have found many followers to be challenged when asked to contribute a sequence which brings up a central tenant of nuevo tango: you have to know what you are doing . A follower does not need to know how to lead and a leader does not need to know how to follow BUT you must know what each role is doing and why. Nuevo Tango is not blind for the followers, it requires the follower to be an active participant.
What the Cochabamba Practica Is ... and Is Not
Cochabamba is a not for profit artistic cooperative for the New York advanced and professional level nuevo tango dance community. We welcome professional, advanced, and advanced wanna be enthusiasts of nuevo tango as pioneered by Gustavo Naviera and others. We recognize that many enthusiasts as not yet of an advanced level and we regret that we cannot accommodate you at this time but we will happily assist in guiding you along your path to future participation.
Multi-media tools and learning
We believe in an advanced learning experience and have many tools to help us. We use video and advanced video editing software to enhance the learning process. First, we use video material previously collected to present technique, themes, or steps. Second, we film our own sequences to use as future building blocks. Third, we use video editing software to assist us in detailed analysis. Each video is the property of the individual dancer and may not be used outside the practica without express permission.
Master - Level Guest Teachers
As financing permits, we bring in master level dancers to assist us with technique and musicality. However, let's be clear - there is not direct teaching involved. They do not propose sequences or steps. They provide guidance to help us adapt our own creativity to music and to assist us in technique.
Schedule
Cochabamba Practice Schedule
@ Chelsea Studios
151 West 26th Steet 6th Floor
Chelsea Studios 212.924.5877
Call Travis Neel for more info 917.374.6449
Day Date Time
Monday 21-Apr 8 - 10 PM
5-May 8 - 10 PM
19-May 8:30 - 10:30 PM
2-Jun 8 - 10 PM
16-Jun 8 - 10 PM
The Masters as work...Gustavo & Giselle Anne
Have Questions?
We welcome your questions and queries. Please see our Contact Us page for complete contact information for rolling related question or email
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Tango-Rolling
tangorol
