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Arts & Entertainment

Argentine Dance Heats Up Center for the Arts

Dancers learn the Argentine Tango.

Summer is hot, hot, hot as dancers spice up their moves in Gem Duras’ Argentine Tango class.

In a room that is part dance studio, part art gallery, and part stage, Argentine Duras taught a class of 14 dancers Argentine Tango at the Milford Center for the Arts, last Monday night from 7 to 8 pm.  Duras taught a second, more advanced class from 8 to 9. 

Student dancer Donna Mason says that Argentine Tango differs from other ballroom dancing.

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“It’s about balance. It’s a challenge,” she said.

Student Shelley Rothbard added, “For me, it’s about concentration [and] technique.  It takes me out of me.”

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Wayne Chan likes Argentine Tango more than other latin dances.

“With other latin dance, you have to stick to the right pattern at all times…with Argentine Tango you have the option of staying in the place, wait a little bit, move on… so there’s a lot more freedom.”

Class began with a short warm-up.  Dancers then partnered-up to learn steps that advanced from a basic “shoeshine” step to more complex variations – subtle, controlled stepwork that is nonetheless very sexy.

“You don’t think about what the step is, just try to feel it,” instructed Duras.

Duras received his Tango training in Argentina, and returns there at least once a year to hone his Tango skills.  He and dance partner Dale Ellison have apparently developed a reputation as dynamic Argentine Tango teachers and performers. Duras teaches and performs the Argentine Tango across the U.S. and abroad.

Argentine Tango classes are given every Monday night from 7 to 8 pm (beginner) and 8 to 9 pm (advanced) at Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Avenue.  The fee is $20 per class.

Duras and Ellison will also teach an Argentine Tango Boot Camp/Intensive the weekend of July 23-24.

Of special interest for Tango fans will be the Tango Passion Show on Saturday, July 30, at the Milford Center for the Arts.

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