Paulo Araujo arrives in the SF Bay in only just a couple of weeks. This Brazilian superstar is the founder of the Instituto Brasileiro do Tango in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, with his own dance troupe and weekly milonga, winner of numerous national awards, including "Best Tango Teacher in Brazil." He has starred in "Show Fonotango-Cafi Tortoni," the "Vossajazz Festival" in Norway, on Argentinian TV "Solo Tango," and has taught in numerous tango festivals including Festival Tango in Valencia, Spain, (see website of Tango Noticias for complete article) and at the major milongas in Buenos Aires. He is one of the favorite partners of Graciela Gonzalez and has toured Europe with her extensively. His teachers have included the legendary Lampazo, Pepito Avellaneda and Gustavo Naveira. Students call him a "brujo" because of his wizardry in finding and correcting their individual weaknesses. He concentrates on technique rather than steps and gives ingenious exercises to address problem areas. Energy connection, embrace as a sacred act, and dynamic musicality and creativity within the couple are his hallmarks.
This is his schedule for the first week: Thursday April 24th: Class and demonstration at Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa, San Francisco. Intermediate class starts at 7:45 p.m. Friday April 25th: Special workshop for intermediate and advanced students on musicality and technique 8-10 p.m. at Rhythm and Motion, 1133 Mission, SF, just before Miller and Claudia's practica. $30 for both workshop and practica. Practica goes until 1 a.m. and includes yummy snacks. Saturday April 26th: First in a series of 4 milonga classes, close embrace, Buenos Aires style 3:30-5 p.m. (subsequent classes are on Wednesday 8:30-10 p.m. ) The Tango Studio, a garden environment, Berkeley. $25 single class, $85 series. Pre-registration required. Sunday April 27th: First in a series of 4 waltz classes emphasizing the three variations of waltz tempo and musicality 3:30-5 p.m. (subsequent classes are on Wednesday 7-8:30 p.m.) The Tango Studio, a garden environment, Berkeley. $25 single class, $85 series. Pre-registration required. Wednesday April 30th: 2nd in a series of 4 waltz classes 7-8:30 p.m. The Tango Studio (see above) 2nd in a series of 4 milonga classes 8:30-9 p.m. The Tango Studio (see above). Friday May 2nd: 8-9 p.m. Intermediate class before the Monte Cristo milonga hosted by Nirmala and Gary. 136 Missouri, SF, milonga until midnight. Privates are $65/hour +$10/hour studio rental fee, or a package of 5 hours prepaid for $325. There are reduced fees for students and early birds who register and pay by April 10th. Contact Stella at 510-655-3585 or email [email protected] for more information.
