The next level 3 tango class will be on ganchos.  Phil Robison and Grace Hodges will teach this as a two-class series on Friday March 5th and Friday March 19th, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, followed by a practica until 9:00 pm.  The cost will be $26 for this two-week series ($24 for Friends of TangoHelena), payable the first night of class.  Each class in the series will build on the class before, so we need people to commit for both sessions.   Admission is by instructor agreement only, and you must register ahead of time.  Please contact Grace or Phil (449-5541 or dance@tangohelena.com) regarding registering for the class.

Level 3 classes are designed to move at a faster pace than level 2, and assume at least an intermediate level of proficiency.  Our goal is to provide a higher level of challenge for those who have the appropriate skill level and the ability to learn tango material quickly in a class setting.  Less-experienced dancers may be able to attend level 3 classes on a case by case basis, depending on their skills and the class that is being taught.  To get up to speed for level 3 classes, we encourage dancers to: get evaluated by one or more of the instructors; take private lessons; attend practicas and focus specifically on aspects of your dance that need attention; continue taking level one and two classes; practice with a partner on your own time; and attend milongas and workshops.

A large imbalance in the numbers of followers and leaders in the class detracts from everyone's experience.  Therefore, we will limit the number of followers to a maximum of two more than the number of leaders registered for the class.  We'll give first preference to more advanced dancers, then welcome qualified but less experienced dancers on a first come, first serve basis.  For example, if we have 6 qualified leaders signed up for a given class, we'd admit no more than 8 followers.  The most qualified followers have first dibs.  Let's say 3 might sign up, leaving 5 slots for those with somewhat less experience.  Followers on the waiting list for that class would have a higher priority for the next level 3 class for which they were qualified.  Please see the website at:  http://www.tangohelena.com/Level3Guidelines  for a fuller discussion of all of the above.

Prerequisites for this class include the ability to:

   * learn and assimilate new material quickly
   * lead/follow from the chest with a firm but flexible frame
   * stay on your own axis without leaning on your partner
   * distinguish between parts of a step -- especially extension versus weight change
   * dance in both open embrace and close embrace styles

Ganchos are a lot of fun, and there are so many different kinds!  Hope you can join us!