Welcome to Couples Latin Dance
Tango and Bolero for Beginners and Beyond

Class Dates

Full Term
  • From Monday 4 February to 8 April 2019 (10 classes)
Half Term
  • From Monday 4 February to 4 March 2019 (5 classes)

Dance Styles

Tango
​We are learning American Tango. Check out my Tango webpage for more video demonstrations/lessons and music lists.
Bolero
We are learning Brazilian Bolero. Take a look at my Bolero webpage for videos and song lists.

Lesson 1 - Monday 4 February 2019

Tango

Lesson Plan & Sequence:
  • Tango Basic
  • Promenade (Turning Left) 
  • Tango Basic
  • Flare Promenade
VIDEO: 1. Tango Basic
VIDEO: 2. Promenade (Turning Left)
VIDEO: 3. Flare Promenade

Bolero

Lesson Plan & Sequence:
  • Basic Step
  • Lateral Step (transitioning to/from)
VIDEO & INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Basic Step
Refer to the video from 0:31 for the Basic Step (referred to as "Frente e Traz" - ie forward and back step). 
​
2. Lateral
Refer to the video from 1:01 - a move called "Saida en entrada" (ie out and in) - which shows how the leader goes from Basic Step to Lateral position. The video shows a DIFFERENT way of getting back in front of the follower: where the leader steps in front of follower with his left leg going forward. In class, the leader steps in front of the follower with his right leg after stepping backward.

Lesson 2 - Monday 11 February 2019

American Tango

Lesson Plan & Sequence
  • Revised Week 1 Moves:
    • Tango Basic
    • Promenade
    • Flare Promenade
  • No new moves
  • Sequence:
    • Tango Basic
    • Tango Basic to Promenade Position (PP)
    • Promenade
    • Tango Basic
    • Tango Basic to Promenade Position (PP)
    • Flare Promenade

Brazilian Bolero

Lesson Plan & Sequence
  • Revised Week 1 Moves:
    • Basic Step
    • Lateral Step
  • ​New Move:
    • Cutting Move
  • Sequence:
    • Basic Step
    • Lateral Step
    • Basic Step
    • Cutting Move

VIDEO & INSTRUCTIONS: Cutting Move
  • ​Refer to Move 1 in the video called "Caminhada de 6 tempos cruzada". Note that in the video, the leader goes back in front of the follower forward on his left. In class, we did half a lateral step then went back in front of the follower back on the leader's right.
  • Break Down of Leader's Footwork (as per class):
    • Half Basic Transitioning to Lateral Position 1-and-2 (instead of stepping forward in front of Follower on his right foot on "2" like he would in Basic Step, the Leader steps out to the side "lateral position" on his right on "2")
    • Cut Across: Leader takes 3 steps across front of Follower 1-2-3 (left-right-left)
    • Cut Back: Leader takes 3 steps across front of Follower 1-2-3 (right-left-right)
    • Half Basic in Lateral Position 1-and-2
    • Half Basic Transitioning from Lateral to Front Position
    •  Half Basic in Front Position 1-and-2
  • Follower's Footwork:
    • Full Basic (Leader moves from in front of you to the side)
    • 3 Steps Backward in a STRAIGHT line 1-2-3
    • Another 3 Steps Backward 1-2-3
    • Full Basic (Leader moves from side to in front of you)

Lesson 3 - Monday 18 February 2019

Tango

Lesson Plan & Sequence:
  • Revision:
    • Tango Basic
    • Promenade
    • Flare Promenade
  • New Move:
    • Promenade to Corte
  • Sequence:
    • Tango Basic to PP (Promenade Position)
    • Promenade
    • Tango Basic to PP
    • Flare Promenade
    • Tango Basic to PP
    • Promenade to Corte
    • PS You are welcome to throw in full Tango Basics in between the moves.

VIDEO: Promenade to Corte

Bolero

Lesson Plan & Sequence:
  • Revision:
    • Bolero Basic
    • Cutting Move
  • New Move
    • Left Turn of Follower from Lateral
  • Sequence:
    • Basic
    • Cutting Move
    • Basic
    • Outside Turn of Follower from Lateral

VIDEO: Outside Turn of Follower from Lateral
  • This move is called "Chapeu da Dama" in the video and the move starts at 3:07.

Lesson 4 - Monday 26 February 2019

Tango

Lesson Plan & Sequence:
  • Revised week 3:
    • Tango Basic
    • Promenade
    • Flare Promenade
    • Promenade to Corte
  • New Move:
    • Left Turns
  • Sequence:
    • Tango Basic to PP
    • Promenade
    • Tango Basic to PP
    • Flare Promenade
    • Tango Basic to PP
    • Promenade to Corte
    • Tango Basic
    • Left Turns

Left Turns

Bolero

Lesson Plan & Sequence:
  • Revised Week 3:
    • Forward & Back Basic
    • Cutting Move
    • Outside Turn of Follower from Lateral
  • New Move:
    • Outside Turn of Leader from Lateral
  • Sequence/Combo of Moves:
    • Forward & Back Basic
    • Cutting Move
      • 1/2 Basic
      • Out to the side
      • Cut Across
      • Cut Back
    • Go straight into.... Leader's Outside Turn from Lateral
      • Leader's forward left, replace right and open left to face the side; then step in a line on your right, pivot and forward right staying in Lateral position
    • 1/2 Lateral
    • Follower's Outside Turn from Lateral
      • Follower's forward left, replace right and open left to face the side; then step in a line on your right, pivot and forward right staying in Lateral position. 
    • Leader's back in front of Follower

Outside Turn of Leader from Lateral
  • This move is called "Chapeu do cavalheiro" and starts at 3:51 in the video.