Argentine Tango - 2018

Sacada, Volcada & Gancho - Ramiz  Kadjar & Bob Petruso - Sept 8, 2018

It was challenging learning how to dance sacada into volcada into gancho correctly.  I basically got the hang of it half way through the group class but need lots more practice to do it well.

Ochos & Flicks - Sterling Stickle - September 16, 2018

Sterling Stickle danced a complete tanda of 3 dances with me at the 

milonga at Beachside Ballroom on September 16, 2018.  It really helps

to dance with a veteran dancer !!

Giros, Sacadas, Paradas & Leg Wrap - Ramiz Kadjar - August 19, 2018

I looked as though I can socially dance Argentine Tango reasonably well whenever I dance with Ramiz because of his fabulous leads !!!

Cruzadas, Ochos & Giros - Birthday Dance

There were a surprising number of guests with September birthdays so we were all invited onto the floor to dance with one another !

Barrida, Sacadas & Colgadas - Ramiz Kadjar - July 15, 2018

I had seen Natalya  dance the Colgada many times before but had never learn how to dance the step.  You can see how off balanced I was when Ramiz surprised me with it towards the end of the dance !!

Ochos, Giros & Flicks - Van Stickle - July 15, 2018

It had been almost half a year since I last danced with Van Stickle, another Argentine Tango instructor.   I hope Van comes again to the monthly milongas and that I get a chance to dance with him again.

Giros & Molinete - Tung Duong - June 10, 2018

Below is a video of my first attempt at dancing the molinete.  Luckily for me, Tung Duong was an excellent dancer and a great lead.  I had several missteps as I was trying it out cold for the first time.  Wish I had danced better and am hoping that I will have an opportunity to try it again.

Cadena (Chain) - Ramiz Kadjar - April 18, 2018

The most challenging step that have been taught to date was the Cadena (Chain) step.  We got our initial exposure during the pre-milonga group class on April 15, 2018 and had a 2nd session on the 18th.  This step requires precision in both footwork and timing.  I was thrilled to be able to dance the step with Ramiz towards the close of the class !!!

Giros, Cruzadas & Ochos - Ramiz Kadjar

Below is video of highlights of the remainder of my tanda with Ramiz.  I danced several giros, cruzadas, ochos and ended with a leg wrap.

Milonga - Craig Wolfe - February 18, 2018

I had a good time at the February 18 Lamplighter Milonga despite the absence of Bob and Robert.  I danced with a couple of new people - Dallas, Van and Craig.  Below is my attempt at dancing to Milonga music with Craig

Ocho Cortada, Leg Wrap & Paradas - Ramiz Kadjar 

I left soon after my tanda with the instructor, Ramiz Kadjar.  I finally felt comfortable that I would not fare poorly so long as Ramiz didn't dance any fancy steps that I had not yet learned.   It turned out just fine!

I have attended more than half a dozen milongas since last year but the first milonga of 2018 on January 21 at Lamplighter Village was the best one yet. 

It was the most I have ever danced.  Bob was the first to dance with me.  I also danced with Mark, Robert and Barry.  My final tanda was with the instructor, Ramiz Kadjar.  

This was the first milonga where I really enjoyed myself as I had more dances than ever before.  Another memorable bonus was dancing for the first time with a veteran dancer, Jose.  I  had initially felt apprehensive as Jose was a veteran dancer but he was very gracious.  I had never danced so many ganchos before !!!