Vals - Closed Class

MONDAYS 7:30 - 9:30pm 
10 weeks | Crazily Progressive Class | Couples ONLY

PLEASE NOTE: This class starts Monday January 6th

Vals is the most joyful from three tango genres with its ¾ notation and happy feel of spinning and floating. One just cannot resist getting on the dance floor. The music simply takes you in.

The biggest difference between Vals and Tango is hidden in the interpretation of double time (1--2-|-3--1). If interpreted exactly double time would fall somewhere between 2 and 3, but not exactly on 2 and not exactly on 3.

What You MUST know

No drop-ins!

Vals - Closed Class is design as a progressive course consisting of 10 2-hours classes. Every class new subject is being introduced, based on the assumption that everyone has already a good understanding and sufficient practice of what was introduced in previous classes. No drop-ins are therefore possible. If you cannot commit – it is only to your own benefit (and courtesy to those who can commit) to work through private lessons where you can work at your own speed and your own schedule.

Partner IS necessary

In this crazily progressive class we do not change partners. If we do, it is only for the very short period of the lesson to trick you into understanding something while not blaming your partner. And therefore – if your partner cannot come – you are stuck with working by yourself or at mercy of others who might be willing to share partner with you. No replacements allowed unless there is medical reason and your original partner is really out for the reminder of the series. Yes, we will help you find the new one.

Prerequisite

Completed Intermediate Tango Course (all 3 cycles) or good understanding of giros and molinete patterns are required. You need to know “what’s” and “how tos” of molinete, giros to left and right, and be able to comfortably change direction of turn on forward and back crosses. The basic understanding of sacadas, barridas, boleos, ganchos, volcadas, colagadas and alterations is a definite advantage. Don’t know it? – please work on it while waiting for the next edition to start.

What’s the purpose?

To be able to enjoy Vals, as it is probably the most cheerful and sweetly swirling from the three genres.

Also - to get brizuelized*, meaning to be recognized and searched for as a great Vals dancer. To join the elite of those who dance all 3 genres, not just tango. To make Boston Tango Community better as a whole and perceived as well rounded, well-educated and simply great dancers. You already speak tango comfortably. Now is time to venture into Vals.

Vals vocabulary

Steps are Not important. Steps are Very important. Contradictory. And confusing… StepsSteps are Not important. Steps are Very important. Contradictory. And confusing… Steps are visualization of what you know and what you understand. At some point you will know so many steps, combinations, and sequences that you forget to think in them, forget that you need them and you just start talking Milonga / Tango / Vals. Three dialects that you need to know.
Yes. There will be a lot of combinations and variations of those very combinations that make Vals look like Vals.

Vals musicality

We will discuss, re-discuss and discuss some more structure of Vals, affixed 1-2-3 rhythm, repetitive parts, Vals criollo versus Vals cruzado, double time emphasizing accent on TWO or THREE in patterns and timing, changes in timing based on phrases, cadencia, phrasing of Vals and more. We recommend great read ‘Lets dance to the music!’ by Joaquin Amenabar.

From zero to hero

We promise people WILL notice that you had taken this course. And once this happens – you are on the way to your transformation. You will leave this course enlighten. ***You are welcome to take Vals - Closed Class as many times a as you wish. You will find out that each time will bring new insights that you were not ready for the time before. Remember – when you are ready, the teacher, the opportunity, the whatever you waiting for - will appear. Work on your readiness

*bri * zuel * ize

BRIZUELIZE / verb; past tense: brizuelized; past participle: brizuelized; Become so good and famous for your embrace and your leading-following abilities as Hernan Brizuela. Term coined by Eric Eisack. Examples: 'Since he got brizuelized the eyes of all ladies were following him the moment he entered the Milonga in hopes for cabaceo.' 'Her total brizualization made her searched for follower as her sensitivity to even most delicate lead increased dramatically.'