And, book launch, 7+ years in the making!
May 3rd & 4th, 2025
LIVE MUSIC MILONGA w/
ARTE Sextet & Claudio Ortega
on May 3rd
1680 Bryant St,
Palo Alto, CA
Joaquín Amenábar is a renowned Argentine bandoneón virtuoso, educator, and author dedicated to deepening the connection between tango music and dance. A graduate of the Manuel de Falla Municipal Conservatory in Buenos Aires, he has performed a diverse repertoire spanning classical, contemporary, and folkloric music. As a professor at prestigious institutions, he has also pioneered musicality workshops worldwide, helping dancers interpret tango more intuitively. His book, Tango – Let's Dance to the Music!, is a key resource for understanding tango's structure without formal musical training. Through his performances, teaching, and writing, Amenábar continues to shape the global appreciation of tango music.
Beginner Level Experience and beyond
Just show up. Partners typically rotate
Make friends from different backgrounds
Dress comfortably. Dance shoes are recommended
12:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Learn tango musicality from the source—Joaquin, author of Tango Let's Dance to the Music, a globally recognized book translated into 8+ languages. These workshops dive into the rhythm, melody, and style of tango, also exploring concepts from his Volume II, launching in California with this workshop! Discover rhythmic units, melodic phrasing, and stylistic contrasts to refine your musicality and expression of the art.
12:00p to 1:30p
Rhythmic units of Tango music. Simple, double and half-time step: Using these units while dancing tango.
2:30p to 4:00p
Melodic phrases, their accentuation system. What is the “melodic rhythm” and how to dance to it.
4:30p to 5:30p
Elements that conform the Tango style: “Cadencia” , different types of phrasing the melody, the contrast system. Era’s style and Orchestra’s style.
w/ ARTE sextet & Claudio Ortega
6:00 - 9:30p Milonga w/ DJ Karn
7:00 - 7:40p Set - I Live Tandas
8:00 - 8:30p Set - II Live Tandas
ARTE Sextet, led by Florida-based bandoneonist and composer Alex Roitman, brings together world-class musicians from around the globe to celebrate the depth and beauty of Argentine tango. Violinists Natalia Maiden and Keiko Cadby bring classical virtuosity and international tango experience, while Yukie Kawanami, a bandoneonist from Japan and winner of the Che Bandoneon Competition, and pianist Crystie Shum, known for her dynamic festival performances, add rhythmic depth and lyrical expression. The ensemble is joined by Argentine singer Claudio Ortega, whose velvety voice and heartfelt interpretations have captivated audiences across the U.S. Together, they blend tradition with personal artistry to deliver unforgettable live performances.
1:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sunday’s workshops explore how melody shapes the dance, balancing predictability and improvisation, and providing a five-element framework for seamless movement. The day ends with a live Bandoneón performance by Joaquin and practical tips on Milonga rhythm. Sunday's sessions draw heavily from Volume II, making this a unique opportunity to refine your musical expression.
1:00p to 2:30p
Predictability of the leader’s movements by the follower. Specificity of the dance. Changes in the roll of the leader depending if he is following the rhythm or the melody. Importance of the orchestra style if we dance the rhythm or if we dance the melody.
3:00p to 4:30p
5 elements improvisation base that will allow you to dance all melodys not needing to use any particular figure but, at the same time, will allow you to include the figures you already know into this improvisation base if you would like to do so.
5:00p to 6:00p
Live Bandoneón by Joaquin and hints for the Milonga Rhythm. Simple time, double time, traspié , lisa , corrida.
Limited Spots
Early Bird: First 10 Full Weekend registrations includes Tea & Tango w/ ARTE y Claudio
We have regular breaks and practice sessions, with Tea & snacks like mandarins, Clif bars, and trail mix. Great lunch options at Town & Country, Palo Alto. We are planning to facilitate a POTLUCK on Day II, Sunday, of the Musicality Weekend.
Joaquin Amenabár
Joaquín Amenábar is a renowned Argentine bandoneón virtuoso, educator, and author dedicated to deepening the connection between tango music and dance. A graduate of the Manuel de Falla Municipal Conservatory in Buenos Aires, he has performed a diverse repertoire spanning classical, contemporary, and folkloric music. As a professor at prestigious institutions, he has also pioneered musicality workshops worldwide, helping dancers interpret tango more intuitively. His book, Tango – Let's Dance to the Music!, is a key resource for understanding tango's structure without formal musical training. Through his performances, teaching, and writing, Amenábar continues to shape the global appreciation of tango music.
Feeling Flow The mission of Feeling Flow is to help people experience flow through dance, yoga, meditation, and related arts, and to give them basic tools to translate this experience into other areas of life. Flow is a state of awareness where we are completely immersed in what is right in front of us. It is a highly satisfying state that facilitates well-being and growth. Art, in essence, is a form of self-discovery and a connection practice. It is said that the best way to know yourself is through the mirror of relating to others, and what better way to do this than through music and movement while having fun.
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or email: teacher@feelingflow.org
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