Location: Bobby’s Taproom (Chijmes)
Cover charge: SG$25, includes 1 drink.
Dates:

1. Friday 11th July, 21:00 to 02:00
2. Friday 18th July, 21:00 to 02:00
3. Friday 1st August, 21:00 to 02:00

Workshops

Location: Dance on Us Studios

Saturday 12th of July 2008
13:00 - 14:30 Tango class: Ocho cortado with a sensual twist
14:45 - 16:15 Tango class: Sacadas with impact!
16:30 - 18:00 Vals class: How to get that flying feeling?

Saturday 19th of July 2008
13:00 - 14:30 Tango class: Add elegance and spice to your turns
14:45 - 16:15 Tango class: Boleos interrupted
16:30 - 18:00 Milonga class: Playful tricks of the milongueros

Guided practicas

Location: Dance on Us Studios
Date/time: Thursday nights from 20:15 to 22:45 on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st of July 2008.

Contact Details

General inquiries: Email: isaachoyenyang@gmail.com
Registration link.

** Note that Early Bird period ends on 26th of June

Please see Isaac’s Midsummer Nights’ Tango Seminar for full details.

Tango Elegancia with Javier Rodriguez and Andrea Missé, 23 - 27 May

IXI Danza is very excited to announce the return of Javier Rodriguez and Andrea Missé - young maestros who have dazzled Tango dancers worldwide with their exquisite musicality and a highly dynamic close-embrace dancing!

IXI Danza will be hosting Javier and Andrea for their second trip to Singapore between 23-27 May. During their stay, there will be 6 exciting group workshops and 1 grand milonga!

The program in brief is: (See the online program and registration for full details)

>> May 23 (Fri) - Privates
>> May 24 (Sat) - Workshops - Jitterbugs
>> May 24 (Sat) - Milonga and Performance
>> May 25 (Sun) - Workshops - Jitterbugs
>> May 26 (Mon), May 27 (Tue) - Privates

Please don’t hesitate to contact IXI Danza info@ixidanza.com if you have any questions regarding these workshops.

Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi, 20 - 23 May

Hot on the heels of the inaugural Kuala Lumpur Tango Festival the maestros Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi will be visiting Singapore, bringing with them the Tango show “The Four Seasons”. Their previous visit was in 2006 where they had a big impact on the local dancers with their entertaining approach to Tango.

The workshop program for Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi are as follows:

>> May 20 (Tue) - Welcome Party at Xenbar
>> May 21 (Wed) - Workshops/Privates - Studio renegade
>> May 22 (Thu) - Workshops/Privates - Studio Renegade
>> May 23 (Fri) - Milonga and Tango show “The Four Seasons” - Upper Club

For inquiries concerning Guillermo and Fernanda’s workshops, please contact Philomena: wphilo@yahoo.com or call 9630-3613.

Organised by: Upper Club
Date: Saturday 1 March
Time: 8.30pm - 2am
Cost: $25 nett, includes 2 drinks
Guest DJ: Louis

Please direct all enquiries regarding reservations and payments to Upper Club. See you all on 1 March!

Happy 2008!

It is with some sadness that Janet and I wish to inform you that as of early February 2008 IXI Danza will cease operations at its present location. We want to take the opportunity to thank all our students and everyone who had supported us over the past two years for sharing this journey. We want to thank especially Kris and Jeremy during the initial set up of the studio, and the unwavering support of Belinda (Tang), Su-Lynn, Howmeng, Kimsoon and Hweilan as well as Jean-Michel and Royce who provided invaluable advice in the planning of our workshops. We have truly benefited immensely from the community spirit.

Throughout January, as a break from our tradition, IXI Danza will be holding weekly milongas: every Saturday night, 9pm-2am, starting from 5 January. There will also be guided practicas staring in the second week of January. Another announcement of upcoming events in January will be sent once we have finalised everything. So, whether you are die-hard fans of the special blend of music we play, or someone hesitating for the first opportunity to get your feet “wet”, do join us this month for the last few opportunities of dancing in IXI Danza’s milongas!

After we wrap things up, Janet and I will be taking a break from teaching Tango. However, we intend to remain active in organising workshops with world-class teachers, and maybe host a milonga or two from time to time. Do stay tuned for announcements in the near future. Who knows, perhaps we can finally have the opportunity to visit Buenos Aires and improve our dancing even further?

IXI Danza was a project Janet and I started on a shoe-string budget almost two years ago. IXI, as it is affectionately known by many people, was conceived at a time when both of us feared a possible decline in the Singapore Tango scene after the premature closure of Royce and Jean-Michel’s “Las Ventanas del Corazon”. A loss of not only a good venue, but also a place with excellent music where people danced with energy and passion, would likely lead to the loss of many good dancers over time.

Seeing a shortage of such good venues for Tango in Singapore at the time, Janet and I decided to take matters into our own hands and without any external financial support started the IXI Danza Tango studio. We were quite clear that a studio of our own was essential if we wanted to have the flexibility in running regular milongas and practicas. For the past two years, we have somehow managed to juggle our busy work schedules together with part-time teaching of Tango, hosting regular milongas and (in 2007) hiring of renowned international teachers to Singapore for workshops.

Right from the beginning, our priority was to cater for the Tango dancers. To that end, the first installation decisions we made were to have ample mirrors to aid practice, a professionally laid dance floor and a reliable sound system with sufficient volume that can fill the dance space - the last two elements being fundamental requirements of any good dance venue. At the same time, IXI was transformed into a warm and welcoming “home” to all, Tango dancers or not, rather than just a run-of-the-mill dance studio. In fact, it was not uncommon for first-time visitors to enquire if Janet was living at the studio! Our primary aim was to provide a good and warm venue with excellent music and a friendly home to Tango lovers everywhere.

As part of our mission to share our love for Tango, we wanted to play a part in improving the overall level of dancing in Singapore. In the process, we have introduced the Argentine Tango to people of varied backgrounds and interests, some of whom have become regulars in our Tango scene till this day.

Moving on to the next stage, we eventually took the bold decision, together with the financial support from a small group of dedicated dancers like ourselves, to financially sponsor some of the best teachers to Singapore to conduct workshops. This is in contrast to over 90% of Tango workshops organised in Singapore in the last 5 years which have relied on teachers financing their own trips to Singapore. In 2007, we held three very successful workshops: with Hsueh-tze Lee from Boston (first and second series) and Javier Rodriguez and Andrea Misse from Buenos Aires (once). Despite the large costs involved, we made a deliberate attempt to keep the workshop charges affordable so that more people could benefit from such workshops. We are very happy to see the influence of these teachers in the current Tango scene. All we had hoped to do was to open the door and lead the way, the rest was up to the community at large to choose. Let’s hope that these lessons are remembered well.

Coming to the end of two years, Janet and I feel that we have largely achieved our initial goals. We believe that in general the community is in a better state compared to the situation two years ago. At a time (in 2006) when it was difficult to operate a dance studio, let alone a studio dedicated to Tango alone, we took up the challenge to run a Tango-only studio and showed that, with some passion and lots of dedication to quality, this was indeed possible. We are very proud to see that through our own efforts and the international teachers we hosted in 2007, IXI has left its mark in musical taste as well as the choice of embrace on the Tango scene in Singapore.

Best of luck to the followers in our footsteps because, even though we as pioneers have charted some unknown territory, the way ahead still requires much hardwork and passion. At the end of the day, organisers of Tango events has a big role in shaping the community. Tango as a “business” - if it can be called a business - is built on relationships and whoever walks in through the door deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, especially for a small community like Singapore. Providing a good and safe venue, suitable refreshments and a friendly atmosphere is all part-and-parcel of community-building. In the past two years, we have constantly set high standards for ourselves and hope that we have not slackened off in any of them.

While our regular program of guided practicas, classes and workshops has been largely geared towards improvement of technicalities of the dance, it must be said that Tango is at its core a social dance. We should be never forget the element of fun in social dancing. It is always heartening for us to see the energy levels and the friendliness at our fortnightly milongas, even when the crowd was not big at times (see our photo galleries, Milonga con Amigos 1, Milonga con Amigos 2).

Once again, thanks to your support for the past two years, and you can certainly still catch us wherever there is quality Tango music and fun-loving people to dance with!

Louis and Janet.
–
“Sharing our love for Tango”

From all of us at IXI Danza, wishing everybody a merry Christmas and a great 2008 ahead.

Our next milonga in 2008 will take place on 5 January. Hope to see you there!

IXI DANZA is proud to present “The Art of Tango II” workshops with Hsueh-tze Lee - teacher, milonguera and deejay, from 17 November to 25 November. This workshop series consists of progressive classes, guided practicas and a Welcome Milonga to mark her return trip in Singapore.

Known for her musicality and innovative approach, Hsueh-tze has been one of North America’s pioneers in Argentine Tango since 1990, the early days of Tango revival. She draws inspiration from her extensive experiences dancing with milongueros of Buenos Aires. Her dance blends the richness of Tango tradition with exploratory possibilities.

Hsueh-tze dances “Tango milonguero” - the way Tango is danced in the milongas of Buenos Aires. It is the essence of Tango - a social style that emphasizes the connection between the couple and musicality. While it looks deceptively simple, the milonguero style is a rich form of subtle body signals exchanged between the couple, that truly respects Tango’s rhythms.

In her classes, Hsueh-tze integrates her knowledge of dance, physiology and biomechanics to focus on movement dynamics, musicality, improvisation, and on the communication between partners that makes the Tango such a special dance. She will teach you not only the steps, but most importantly, how to step, thus transforming your dance. Under her guidance, students will improve their posture, balance and become a more confident and sensitive dancer.

Come experience the genuine Tango style of Buenos Aires with Hsueh-tze Lee!

Click to see workshop details.

Update 12/11/2007: Close Embrace 1 and Close Embrace 2 are now closed for registrations to ladies but we will still accept registrations if you sign up as a couple. All OTHER CLASSES are still available to both ladies and guys.

Date: Saturday 17 November (** Welcome Milonga for Hsueh-tze!! **).
Time: 9pm - 2am.
Cost: SG$20 per person, includes non-alcoholic drinks and snacks (All workshop participants taking at least one package can enjoy discounted rate for the Welcome Milonga of SG$15)

Guided Practicas (Selected Tuesday and Thursday)

Please note that the guided exercises will commence at about 8.15pm and finish by 10pm, with self-practice thereafter.

Time: 8pm - 11pm.
Cost: SG$8 per person.

• 30 October (Tue): Tango; Expressing the Music Together (Isaac)
• 1 November (Thu): Close embrace: change of directions (Louis)
• 6 November (Tue): Milonga: Fundamentals (Isaac)
• 8 November (Thu): ** No practica, public holiday **
• 13 November (Tue): Isaac’s last guided practica: Tango, our dance (Isaac)
• 15 November (Thu): Dissecting the Valz rhythm (Louis)

This list will be updated periodically.

Date: Saturday 6 October, 20 October.
Time: 9pm - 2am.
Cost: SG$15 per person, includes non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

Guided Practicas (Selected Tuesday and Thursday)

Please note that the guided exercises will commence at about 8.15pm and finish by 10pm, with self-practice thereafter.

Time: 8pm - 11pm.
Cost: SG$8 per person.

• 2 October (Tue): Giros (Isaac)
• 4 October (Thu): Milonga (Isaac)
• 9 October (Tue): Dancing to Pugliese (Isaac)
• 11 October (Thu): Fundamentals: grounding (Louis)
• 16 October (Tue): Secadas (Isaac)
• 18 October (Thu): Fundamentals: connection (Louis)
• 23 October (Tue): Vals; Relax, Float and Spin (Isaac)
• 25 October (Thu): Close embrace-specific exercises (Louis)
• 30 October (Tue): Tango; Expressing the Music Together (Isaac)
• 2 November (Thu): Close embrace: change of directions (Louis)
• 6 November (Tue): Milonga: Fundamentals (Isaac)

This list will be updated periodically.

New Beginners II Classes:

Schedule: Wednesdays 8-10pm for 4 weeks (24, 31 October, 7, 14 November).

Cost: $140 per person ($120 for full-time students), payable at first class by cash.
Starting on 24 October (registrations close on 20 October).

Please register in advance because we normally limit each class to a maximum of about 6 couples to maximise your learning experience. Student concessions for full-time students available for all classes.

Women’s techniques for developing a dynamic and graceful walk. This class will be restricted to women only.

Schedule: Sunday 30 September

1pm - 2.30pm : Exercises for leg extensions and correct weight shifts when walking.
3pm - 4.30pm : Expressiveness in walking, plus some embellishments.

Cost: $15 per person for each session.
Pre-requisites: Students who have completed our Beginners I, or has 2-6 months exposure to Tango. Please bring a pair of socks for the class as we will be doing some exercises without shoes.

Please register in advance because we normally limit each class to a maximum of about 6 couples to maximise your learning experience. Student concessions for full-time students available for all classes.

Milongas

Date: Saturday 6 October, 20 October.
Time: 9pm - 2am.
Cost: SG$15 per person, includes non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.

Guided Practicas (Selected Tuesday and Thursday)

Please note that the guided exercises will commence at 8.15pm sharp and finish by 10pm, with self-practice thereafter.

Time: 8pm - 11pm.
Cost: SG$8 per person.

Theme: “Post Taipei Tango Festival Series” with Isaac Ho

• 25 September (Tue): Tango Salon, Cruzada
• 27 September (Thu): Advance Fundamentals, Giros
• 2 October (Tue): Giros
• 4 October (Thu): Milonga
• 9 October (Tue): Dancing to Pugliese

This list will be updated periodically.

Schedule: Wednesdays 8-10pm for 4 weeks (26 September, 3, 10, 17 October).

Cost: $140 per person ($120 for full-time students), payable at first class by cash.
Starting on 26 September (registrations close on 22 September).

Women’s Techniques

Women’s techniques for developing a dynamic and graceful walk. This class will be restricted to women only.

Schedule: Sunday 30 September

1pm - 2.30pm : Exercises for leg extensions and correct weight shifts when walking.
3pm - 4.30pm : Expressiveness in walking, plus some embellishments.

Cost: $15 per person for each session.
Pre-requisites: Students who have completed our Beginners I, or has 2-6 months exposure to Tango. Please bring a pair of socks for the class as we will be doing some exercises without shoes.

Please register in advance because we normally limit each class to a maximum of about 6 couples to maximise your learning experience. Student concessions for full-time students available for all classes.