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 Workshop Announcement

David Backler
Dianne Heywood-Smith
"Sidewalktango" (Australia)

Note Change of Time on Sunday
27-29/jul -- Workshop
27/jul -- Meet the Maestro @ Milonga

Sidewalktango were the first Australian Tango dancers to be hired for professional engagements in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Tango. They have appeared at several famous clubs including "Confiteria Ideal", "Bar Sur", "El Almagro", "La Cumparsita" etc and on the Argentinian TV show " SoloTango". David and Dianne have also performed in theatres clubs and festivals across Australia and New Zealand and internationally in Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, Copenhagen and Los Angeles. They have performed many times in the 100 year old cabaret venues the "Dans Palais" and "The Famous Speigaltent" and have featured in many shows for corporate and private entertainment.

On their current Asian tour, they are taking their unique brand of sophistication and humour to Shanghai, Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Bali. We are lucky they decided to stopover in Singapore so we could get to know them.

Dianne Heywood-Smith: Performer, Tango dancer and Teacher. Performed and worked with the South Australian Ballet company and has had extensive dance training. She has performed in Theatres and Arts Festivals across Australia and overseas including 100 year old cabaret venues "Danz Palais" and "The Famous Speigeltent". Wellington and Adelaide Festivals 01, 02. Pioneered development of tango in Queensland, South Australia. Advanced training in Buenos Aires with Graciela Gonzales, Zoraida Fontclara, Pilar Alvarez, Claudio Hoffman and Gustavo Naviera and Giselle-Ann. Professional performances in Buenos Aires including the world famous "La Ideal" Primavera Festival 00, 01, 02, 03. Dianne is a passionate and elegant performer embracing the poetry of tango.

David Backler: Performer, Director, Tango dancer and Teacher. Trained as an actor and acrobat in Perth WA. Worked for two years with Deckchair Theatre. Actor with the famous "Theatre de Complicite" theatre company in London. Further training in theatre with Phillipe Gaulier, Annie Stainer, Lindsay Kemp. Performed role of US Marine in "Full Metal Jacket" Dir. Stanley Kubrick . Created and Performed the role of "The Grim Reaper" in "The Frightners" Dir. Peter Jackson. Performed Tango on stage throughout Europe and in Buenos Aires. Extensive tango training with maestro Gustavo Naviera. Produced and Directed the stage production "Streetcorner Man" for Melbourne and Adelaide Festivals. Director and performer "Blame it on the Bossa Nova" NZ International Festival of the Arts. Directed "Tango Mystique" & "Tango Noir" at the Forum Theatre, Melbourne, featuring overseas stars Pilar and Claudio Hoffman and Los Hermanos Macana. David is a co-founder of the Australian Tango Festival started 2002.

WHAT THE REVIEWERS SAID:

"they didn't just burn the floor, they set it on fire... extremely sensual" The Age

"amazing, cool…. real tango Argentino" Gustavo Naveria

"un baille muy lindo" Graciela Gonzales

"for me they dance with beauty and sensuality, fascinating performers" Diego Alvaro

"Dianne you are a Ferrari of a tango dancer" Clive James

"a hot cabaret night" Wellington Evening Post

"they have arrived... audience goes crazy!" el tangauta, Buenos Aires


Teaching Schedule
Date Time Level* Title Venue
Sat 28/jul 3.30-5pm BIA  Creating Variety of Sacadas Abrazos
Sat 28/jul 5-6.30pm BIA  Enjoying Milonga Rhythm Abrazos
Sun 29/jul 6-7.30pm IA  Theatre of Imagination Abrazos
Sun 29/jul 7.30-9pm IA  Basic Stage Craft Abrazos
*B=Beginner I=Intermediate A=Advanced

SAT - FOCUS ON SALON

  • Creating Variety of Sacadas for all levels
    . -- Learn to create different types of sacadas in the tango through lead and follow, Which we use first to create figures and then to study basic technique in turns and find a deeper connection in the embrace. Using this new fluidity and confidence to dicover or enhance sensory and poetic nuance in the tango.

  • Enjoying milonga rhythm for all levels
    . -- Building confidence, calmness and creativity in milonga
SUN - FOCUS ON STAGE
  • Theatre of imagination for intermediate / advanced
    -- Presence and delivery. Finding the internal foundations and emotional motivations for use in the expression of choreography on the stage.

  • Basic stage craft for intermediate / advanced
    -- Entrances and exits, opening and closing scenarios, relating to the audience. Making an impression. How to bow. How to "sell" the presentation.

Private Sessions with Di and David

They are available between 23-31/jul for private sessions.
To make a private class reservation, please email the organiser or sms 9637-3512. One hour private lessons are $150 (including studio charges) for 1 student, and $210 for a couple.


Details for Participants

Venue: Abrazos (abrazosclub.com website)
568 Ganges Avenue #02-100
(Nearest MRT Station: City Hall, transfer bus 51).

Price of each 90-minute group class:
   » $40 for Adults
   » $38 (5% discount) if classes are confirmed and paid up 5 days in advance.
   » $38 (5% discount) for Full-time Students, NS Men, and Retirees
Please book your place well in advance. If there are still vacancies, you may also register at the door.

Better prices are available if:

  • you prepay for classes under Abrazos' season pass program:
       » 5 classes = $185 (7.5% discount) $37 per extra class
       » 10 classes = $360 (10% discount) $36 per extra class
       » 15 classes = $525 (12.5% discount) $35 per extra class
    Season passes are valid for 6 months and can be used for all Abrazos workshops. During validity period they can be upgraded by paying the difference. Please note season passes are not refundable for cash. Season passes under TangoSingapore will be phased out once they are fully consumed.

  • you are a member of Abrazos' Continuing Education program for serious dancers. The workshop sessions will be included in your quota of classes for the month.

To pre-register, send an email to info@tangoeast.com with your details and the classes you wish to take, or SMS to 9637-3512. Payment should be made in cash, by NETS at Abrazos, or by cheques payable to "TANGO EAST PTE LTD". Registration and collection are done at the door of the class.

Other Issues
  • No partner? You are encouraged to come with a partner of the same level -- best way is to come for practicas before the workshop to meet other tangueros, and make arrangement to come to the same session. For lower level classes, there will be rotation of partners during the class for unpartnered participants. For higher level classes, you need to have a fixed partner for best learning results.

  • Videography Please ask instructor for permission before taping. Instructor usually do a recap of the lesson in the last 10 minutes for Q&A -- that is the best time to record.

  • Late Registration Please note the cut-off date for pre-registration. If you miss the deadline, you can still enjoy the lower rate by taking a season pass of 4 or more classes. Once you are pre-registered you can add more classes at the same preferred rate later.

  • Cancellation of class We reserve the right to cancel a class if the number of participants is too few. You will be given a credit to redeem at another workshop.

  • No-Shows We assume all tangueros to be credit-worthy, so we do not ask for pre-payment when you register. But if you fail to show up for a class after booking, your "good credit" record will become tainted and in future you may be required to pre-pay for class.

  • Out of Town: If you are visiting from outside Singapore, contact us if you need any help or information -- our hotline is 96373512 or email info@tangoeast.com