Get Your Tango On
Saturday, May 08, 2010
James Oh and Elena Stone are painting Studio Two with a rare, kinetic beauty. They dance like two leaves caught in a gust of wind as I watch with the hope of reproducing some sliver of the grace I see before me. I give it a shot. One step back. One to the side. Two forward. Oops! I apologize to my partner. Still, a grin slides across my face, “I can’t believe this. I am enjoying learning to dance.”
The black-clad duo are my instructors at my first tango class ever. I am not a dancer, I’m a 6’7” basketball player, but somehow on this Friday night I’ve ended up at Providence Tango in Pawtucket for a free introductory lesson.
It took a lot of coaxing to get me here, but I’m starting to feel ashamed for ever putting up resistance. In general, learning to dance is a lot of fun and a great way to meet people. Tonight, ten young to middle-aged adults have shown up for the lesson. Partners rotate at a healthy clip--not so often to preclude getting the hang of it, or so seldom that one feels pressure to discuss dating history. All in all, the atmosphere is open, enjoyable, and low-key. Plus, with WaterFire season on the horizon, taking some classes now set up a person quite nicely to tear up the outdoor dance floor in front of the whole city of Providence.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTClass ends and I thank James and Elena. I came in expecting to struggle through an hour of drudgery, and now I leave practicing steps into the parking lot. The dancing world is at my fingertips. Or better yet, the tips of my toes.
I think to myself, “Maybe I’ll show off my moves at WaterFire or maybe at a club. Maybe there will be a wedding at which I can flaunt my footwork. I can’t remember how to do the first turn we learned! Maybe I’ll come back for another lesson.”
Providence Tango, free class Fri 7:30-8:30pm, other classes Mon-Wed, and Fri evenings, from $5 for Wed practice to $120 for 12 sessions, 99 S Bend St, Pawtucket, 728-9393, www.providencetango.com
If you'd like to stretch your dance world even further, check out the following dance classes in your neck of the woods.
Kana Kubota at the Narragansett Towers Wed (Basic Ballroom, Latin and Swing 6-7pm, Intermediate Ballroom and Latin 7-8pm, Basic Tango 8-9pm, Intermediate Tango 9-10pm), $12 per class, 35 Ocean Rd, Narragansett, 782-2597, www.thetowersri.com/music-dancing.htm
East Bay Ballroom Foxtrot Mon 7-7:45pm, Cha-Cha Tues 7-7:45pm, Waltz, Salsa and East Coast Swing 7-8:40pm Thurs, $15 per class or $50 for a monthly pass, 15 Fenner Ave, Newport, 849-5678, www.eastbayballroom.com
Mishnock Barn Country Western Line and Partner Classes Mon-Wed and Fri at 7:30pm and Sat at 8pm, $8 per class, 200 Mishnock Rd, West Greenwich, 397-9483, www.mishnockbarn.com
