How do I get into Yale?
By studying hard and not getting side-tracked by tango!
Hehehe just kidding.
The
first year our Tango Fest was fully booked weeks ahead, and a lot of
students were unable to get a spot. We were very sorry about that. So
now we make sure students get early notice of registration so they can
sign up at the same time as the Yale students. You'll still want to be
quick! If you are a student (grad, undergrad, postdoc, resident, or
even recently graduated), please drop us an email from your .edu
address to letmeknow @ yaletangofest . com, and we will send you an
advance invitation. If you were here last year and your email hasn't
changed, there is no need to do this, because we already know where to
find you!
Who is coming?
Look here.
In previous years we had students from all these schools, and we expect it will be
similar this year: Yale, MIT, Brandeis, Harvard, Columbia, Princeton,
UPenn, Penn State, Dartmouth, Ohio State, UC San Diego, Emory,
Northeastern, University of Washington (Seattle), Cornell, Lehigh,
SCSU, New England Conservatory, U Mass, Wellesley, Olin, Rutgers, Johns
Hopkins, U of Minnesota, Wayne State, Worcester Polytech, Universite de
Montreal, McGill, George Washington U in DC, USAF Academy, and others.
If your school is not mentioned and you plan to come, let us know! We'll update it.
I am not a college student. Can I participate?
Of
course! It's true that the home crowd consists of mostly students and a
lot of students are coming from other schools, and therefore there will
be a lot of young people there. If that's OK with you, come join the
fun.
Which classes should I take?
We
offer classes at the pre-intermediate, intermediate,
intermediate-advanced and really advanced level. All the classes are
really interesting and challenging. We think it is important that you
take classes at your own level, this way you are more likely to learn
something that you will be able to use at the milonga.
For the pre-intermediate classes,
you need to already know this: walking to the music, fluent ochos,
cross in parellel and crossed feet, left turns, ocho cortado, pausing
to the music, a comfortable embrace open or close or both, a clear lead
or a smooth follow. If you don't know this, please learn it before you
come.
For the intermediate classes,
you need to know this: everything in the previous list, plus: right
turns, one kind of boleo, one kind of gancho and be familiar with
common sacadas. It is possible that you have been taught a gancho or
sacada but don't master everything listed for the pre-intermediate
level, in this case you belong in the pre-intermediate level.
For the intermediate-advanced classes,
you need to know everything in the previous lists, plus: fluent
ganchos, whipping boleos, fast flowing turns in either direction, and
be passingly familiar with off-axis movements.
In the really advanced level classes,
no actual moves will be taught. Instead, teachers will focus on
concepts that will help you implement what you already know in new
ways. Concepts may include advanced musicality, complex sequences,
analytical tools for creating moves, improvisation, etc.
I would love to sign up but I can't afford a hotel, can I crash on somebody's couch?
Probably.
As soon as registration opens, we will also have a housing request form
for students. For more details, click on Lodging.
The least expensive hotel is about $50 per night. There will be a bulletin board where you can find a hotel roommate.
What's the dress code at the milongas?
The
milongas have themes; in 2010 the themes are "(to be decided)" on Friday. On Saturday, wear what you like; we
suggest something nice but it should be comfortable. For the brunch
milonga, aka the Morning After Milonga, we don't want to make you think
so hard before we serve you strong coffee, so wear whatever is handy.
For the Sunday Milonga, theme is "to be decided". Tango black is so, not at Yale.
I don't know anybody there, how will I meet people?
We
have thought of everything! Our milongas will be hosted by Yale Tango
Hosts, easily recognized, who know or will make it their business to
know all the participants. Look for one of our hosts and introduce
yourself. We will introduce you to your new friends. Simple, but
brilliant! Also, to meet new people, take classes!
I am a total beginner. Can I still participate?
A
festival is organized for people who already know how to dance and can
handle a crowded dance floor and take classes at the levels offered
(see schedule for details).
I am fairly new to tango and I have not been to many milongas. Can I go to the milongas?
Yes!
Early in the evening we will play easy music. So by all means, show up
early and you can warm up before it gets crowded. It will get really
really crowded, so it is important that you dance defensively and don't
try whatever space-intensive or boisterous moves you may have learned
earlier that day. Show those off at the milongas in your hometown
Please read this manual on tango manners for details on how to invite or decline, how long to dance with people, and the traffic rules of the milonga environment.
What is the Yale Tango Club?
The Yale Tango Club is a student club at Yale University that was started in January 2003. Please check our website.
We have a charming old ballroom on campus, where we hold our weekly
practilonga and regular classes with visiting instructors and our own
teachers. In the summer we dance outdoors at several beautiful old
campus locations. All our teachers and DJsare
listed on our website. We have about 100 members. The vast majority of
our people are students and young academics, from Yale and neighboring
institutions, and their friends from the region. Our members are from
dozens of countries across the six continents. We are known in the
region for being a fun young crowd with a super friendly attitude. But
don't take our word for it. Come dance with us and see for yourself!