I want to learn from Detlef and Melina at

Festivalito Rural 2017

The classes

Friday: The Golden Age between elegance and rhythm

Duration: 180 min

In this class, we'll explore and dance to those orchestras of the golden age that incorporate lyrical elements as well as strong rhythmical structures like D'Agostino, Calo, Fresedo, Demare and some Tangos by Rodriguez. Most of their songs cannot be counted to the plain rhythmical music, nor to the slow and lyrical style. That makes it very challenging and interesting to dance to, because we might want to adapt our movements to the changing mood of the Tango. We will listen and walk a lot, but also have a look at one or two specific moves, that we are going to adapt to the requirements of the music - if the time allows for it.

This class is a combination of a classic tango workshop and a lecture. You do not need to register with a partner: we will listen to the music and walk alone a lot, and while we will also move with the partner, the focus will not on steps, but rather on understanding the possibilities better.

The number of participants is limited to 28.

Saturday: Dancing real slow

Duration: 135 min

Tango is not about arriving somewhere but about enjoying every moment in the process, especially when moving to slow music. But that‘s easier said than done. In this class, we‘ll focus on the technical aspects of dancing slowly and in unison with your partner. We will furthermore analyse a classical step with some intricacies.

For this class, you need to register with a partner. The number of participants is limited to 14 couples.

Sunday: Walking the Vals

Duration: 135 min

We'll explore the rhythmical variations in Vals and integrate them in the Caminar, presenting some challenging variations of the walk with changes of lanes and system, as well as asynchronous movements of women and men.

For this class, you need to register with a partner. The number of participants is limited to 14 couples.

About Detlef & Melina

We are proud to have Melina Sedó and Detlef Engel teaching at Festivalito Rural. Again. Here's some basic information about them, copied from their webpage:

Stylistically, they are at home in the traditional tango de salón, as it is danced in Buenos Aires, and which they interpret in a very personal and modern way. Their dance captivates through its intimate embrace, playful musicality and an almost puristic elegance: a sensual interplay of man and woman without cliché or superficial effect. Thus, their tango is newly created in every single moment, and does not just express the music, but genuine feeling.

At the core of their lessons, which are always geared towards improvisational capability, are intensive body work and analysis of tango´s structures. But „technical“ understanding is just a means to concentrate better on the essential: developing one´s own style and relishing the embrace in unison with the music.

If you need proof that they are welcome in many places around the world, take a look at their references.

If you like to read, check out Melina's blog. In there, you'll find her opinion on almost anything … also on Festivalito Rural ;-)

Finally, if you're more of a visual type, here's a starting point for browsing YouTube: Detlef and Melina dancing to Tormenta of Carlos di Sarli at the Festival de Kerallic in France. Watching the video you will surely realise why a blog linking to this video calls them those masters of control ;-)