The Yin and Yang of tango music

In this class Astrid looks at the musical richness of tango. Together we will explore the possibilities of using not only the rhythmic but also the melodic moments that tango offers us to improve our dance. We will become aware of the contrasting character of the music and explore ways to express the different energies in our bodies and transfer them to our repertoire. With this you'll be able to play with the different dynamics in your dance at any time.

More about Astrid Weiske

Astrid is one of the early pioneers of the queer and open role tango movement. She started teaching regularly queer and open role tango classes in 2005 in Berlin and has been traveling ever since as a guest teacher, accepting invitations to Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Argentina, US, Canada and New Zealand.

In 2011 she founded the first international Queer Tango Festival in Berlin which was a great success and has earned a widely international reputation. The festival was the biggest queer and open role festival worldwide for 13 years and attracted hundreds of dancers from around the world. Countless outstanding queer teachers, DJ’s and dance artist from around the globe had been guests and created a high quality of workshop program and artistic shows. The Berlin Queertango Festival was a huge inspiration for many international dancers to build their own communities and events in their home country and certainly helped the entire queer and open role tango movement to grow internationally and got widely accepted. Building on the success of the Berlin Festival, Astrid has received invitations to teach and perform at several Festivals such as Queertangofestival Copenhagen, Paris, New York, Phantastango Festival (Germany) , Queertango Festival Buenos Aires and now Queer Tango IN London.

Her teaching is based on awareness and analysis of natural movement in combination with her profound knowledge of technique and connection between the couple. This creates a constant dialogue between leaders and followers who share the responsibility of listening and responding to each other, based on a strong connection to the music.

Her exploration of the many techniques of tango, from the very classical to the very experimental, leading and following and other dance forms like contact improvisation or modern dance make her believe that there is no "one" Tango. She believes in a creative, liberating variety and connection of ideas, movements and technique where roles are fluid and dialogue happens in awareness of the movement and signals of the partner. She promotes that fusion to reduce borders, allowing people to find their own expression in the dance.

Private lessons are also available at £70 for a 55 minute session - just drop us an message to book.

Please arrive up to 15 minutes early for this class to ensure we can start promptly.