Tango in Glasgow

2005 - 2006.

Tango is both a dance and a language, full of passion with two key elements :"balance" and "intention" (two words Omar Ocampo loves). I was lucky to discover the joys embedded in this amazing form of expression while staying in Glasgow, Scotland. What I relate here are my experiences and impressions there.

As everything in Scotland, the tango community in Glasgow is very friendly and relatively easy to approach, with teachers frequently visiting from other locations, although beginners may find a shortage of tango teachers daring to settle on those latitudes.

My first lessons back in the autumm of 2005 were with Cath & Wim. They are good teachers with a well-defined milonguero-style, deeply in love with the old traditional tango music. If any, my understanding of the music styles and the rythms come from their classes. They are unique actually stressing the differences between orchestras and composers.

After 3 months, I decided to step into the mythical Glasgow Tango Bar and of course found not only plenty of experienced dancers but also some "alternative" music: besides tango from Argentina, tango from Eastern Europe was frequently heard plus a good dose of electronic tango (tango nuevo). I am a very ecclectic person, so I was very happy dancing there!

Around April 2006, started attending Jenny & Ricardo's classes. My understanding is that they are resident teachers for the Edinburgh Tango Society (a well-developed tango organisation). In general it was interesting to revisit some steps from a different approach, less rigid and based on "intention" and torso-communication. Their classes are very popular and sometimes too-crowded, but they always manage to get the best out of everyone.

In the summer of 2006, Tom & Miriam arrived to stay in Glasgow for about six months: originally based in Australia and owners of their own dance studio, they taught Tango, along some other ball room dances in Glasgow, making a very positive impact in the local scene, because they attracted a good number of people due to their great charisma and very optimistic approach for teaching.

Besides all these classes and Tango Bar, there was a regular Sunday evening practica, originally held at the atmostpheric Britannia Panopticon Theater. At some stage those were cancelled and we moved the practica to the Glasgow West End (Scout hall).

Finally, from the 8th to the 12th November 2006, together with inconditional help from Craig & Lana, organised the visit of Monica Romero & Omar Ocampo, los Ocampo. Los Ocampo are accomplised Argentinean teachers, dancers and choreographers with a long and successful career. We were lucky to have them teaching chacarera, milonga, tango & tango nuevo and giving a marvellous presentation during our "Viste! Tango Ball" at the Partick Burgh Halls,  Truly tango apotheosis, a night full of Argentinean culture along a live tango band with singer Valentina Montoya Martinez and Tom & Miriam performances.

I just need to say thanks to all the fantastic people in Glasgow, in particular to my dear ex-tango partner and fav-nutter-artist Christine Rodgers.

To finish this story, I have to mention that tango brings together people from every corner of the world, however every community feels different, every group has its own character and manias. Glasgow is still my favourite.

For more information on current and future Tango events in and around Glasgow visit the Tango Glasgow webpage.