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Couples enjoying Tango Night at Cowboy Monkey - Photo by Ross Topol

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Cowboy Monkey »
Address: 6 Taylor St. Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 356-0006
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Last Wednesday night, I attended a free tango lesson at Cowboy Monkey. It turns out the back of the bar contains an open floor area perfect for such an activity. Though initially intimidated by tango’s sensuous and fast-moving reputation, I was relieved to find out that we would move slowly in our lesson. The instruction was very basic, and the environment was welcoming of all skill levels. There’s no need to come with a partner, as dance partners are rotated each time a new skill is taught.

The lesson began with all of the participants walking in a circle, practicing the basic tango step. Next, everyone practiced the step with a partner, using a practice hand position. The two instructors, Carlota and Joe, shuffled their way around the group and danced with each participant to make sure they were dancing with correct form. The group eventually progressed enough to tango with the correct hand position, tango in place, tango in a straight line and change direction.

I thought I was able to catch on pretty fast, considering my dance training does not extend beyond what I learned in high school gym class. Although I had a hard time keeping my eyes off my feet at first, by the end of the lesson, I could sense that the dance is more about feel and less about precision. I learned that it’s important to keep your shoulders square in front of your partner and focus more on the movement of your hips when doing the tango steps.

Lessons are every Wednesday at Cowboy Monkey from 7:30 to 8 p.m. After the lesson is over, the floor is open for tango. Around 9:30, veteran dancers begin to arrive and show off their moves. Anywhere from 20 to 40 people will fill the dance floor on a given night.

August will mark the sixth anniversary of Carlota and Joe teaching free lessons on Wednesdays. Carlota and Joe teach tango classes throughout the year at the Channing-Murray Foundation in Urbana as well. Carlota explained that many people are initially hesitant to sign up for a class, so the free lesson gives them a taste of what it’s all about. For more information about their classes, visit http://cu-tango.com.