[Tango] Fw: [TSOM-Announce] Greetings Comrades!/Practice partners

[Lois Donnay]

Practice is very valuable to your tango, and I often get requests to help find practice 
partners, which I am always glad to do.
A few words about practice partners/groups:
1. Have a few. Schedules and times can change easily, so you shouldn't skip practices just 
because one partner isn't available.
2. Pick from several abilities, especially those who are not yet at your level. Practicing 
with "newbies" makes you a better dancer as you need to perfect your lead/follow, and when 
they get better, you'll have the first chance to dance with them. If you don't think that 
dancing with new people makes you better, just look at those among us who do. They're some 
of the best in the community!
3. Don't worry about a space. You can dance in very small spaces, or rent a space for about 
$10/hour. It's summer - dance outside! Plus, there are several practicas held in town every 
week.
4. Try to schedule shortly after your lessons.

Let me know if you want my help in finding a partner.

Lois Donnay
612.518.4915
www.mndance.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "gretchen larson" <zgl3 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 10:49 PM
Subject: [TSOM-Announce] Greetings Comrades!

> Greetings tango comrades!
>
> When I attend a festival or workshop I hear a lot of frustration from dancers of ALL
> levels about the difficulties in finding good practice environments and partners.
> Practice is the key to getting better, but it’s hard to find the time, place and people.
> We are exhorted by our instructors to practice, it is common knowledge the ratio of
> study/practice time to lecture time needs to be 2 or 3 :1  (or better) to maximize
> retention. The practice session has become the driving force in my tango learning
> experience and I want share it with you!
>
> I am proposing an experiment based upon the concept of small working groups auditioned
> and committed for one day a week, for three months. Why auditions? Each of us carry a
> unique combination of physical skills, tango knowledge and life experiences. To maximize
> our strengths, I will be looking for a variety of participants to work in groups of five
> or less. The objective: an intimate, collaborative learning experience.
>
>  Our goal is twofold,
> 1. Find and implement techniques and vocabulary for working/practicing together.  We need
> a common language to describe movement and group structure that supports experimentation.
> 2. Focus on the material we have and integrate it into our dance, out of our heads and
> into our feet!  The structure is up to me, the content is up to you; what do YOU want to
> work on?
>
> Your commitment:
> *Meet Thursdays 8-9:30 pm beginning July 3, location is Plymouth.
> *Completion resume/audition form and your photo! Mail to:  12511 11th Ave N, Plymouth ,
> MN 55441
> *Payment: 50% due upon submission of audition form, remainder on or before first meeting
> date. If you are not selected, money will be refunded before the first meeting. Total
> cost $180.00 for 18 hours!
> *An open mind and willingness to experiment.
>
> Let’s talk!
> I will be at the Tsom  dance  June 14th and Loring Pasta Bar Sunday, June 15th  with
> audition forms and camera. (I’m the one in the zebra palazzo pants!)
>
> I want to practice with you!
>
> Abrazos,
> Gretchen Larson
> Email zgl3 at yahoo.com
> Phone 763-595-9549
>