Tango is Back
Argentine-style tango returns to the community
Tango is back at Parkdale Cromdale Community League (PCCL). For close to 20 years, Vince and Cindy Davis were a mainstay of the Edmonton tango community, teaching and hosting tango dances out of the community hall. Then COVID-19 hit the scene.
Nothing broadcasts “no social distancing” louder than Argentine tango. Naturally, it was the first casualty of the lockdown and the last to recover.
In the summer of 2023, the Edmonton tango community was on life support. Many of the teachers had taken the lockdown as an opportunity to turn their attention to other ventures. The tango dance community lost its weekly venue and could not afford to rent a mainstream dance hall.
As is often the case, a community league came to the rescue. A Parkdale Cromdale board member suggested that PCCL host the tango community rent-free as a senior-friendly program. All ages could join in, with the tango class including adaptations for a 55+ crowd with limited dance experience or mobility challenges. The class, followed by a dancing session, would operate by donations only.
This focus fit perfectly with co-teachers Julia Kopala and Aydan Dunnigan-Vickruck. Theirs is a distinctive perspective on teaching and dancing tango.
“Frequently, tango is taught as a series of complex, technical-step sequences,“ notes Dunnigan-Vickruck. “But there are difficulties. Although this translates into very attractive styling, it’s often not readily accessible for those with little dance experience.”
The teaching partners compiled a series of exercises to focus on essential tango movements rather than step sequences. This makes learning tango easier, and also enhances general mobility and musicality.
Julia Kopala’s background includes more than 15 years of tango dancing, as well as teaching experience in brain gym, yoga, and Reiki. Dunnigan-Vickruck has integrated his tango practice with Tai Chi for two decades and has served as host for the tango community for more than 10 years. They both share an interest in the ergonomic, energetic, and relational elements of tango.
Work your brain first with brain gym exercises like the cross-crawl led by Kopala. Tango “flo” movements follow, taught by Dunnigan-Vickruck, with titles such as rag-doll shuffle, slinky slide, and power skate. “These moves are learned in childhood, though we may have neglected them in later years,” he observes. “We shape these core movements into dance steps, paying attention to how the whole body moves, not just the foot placement.”
Does it “take two to tango”? “It helps,” he admits. “But our exercises are lighthearted and easy to practice alone at home.”
The Monday night activity at PCCL has caught on, with attendance continuing to grow. Doors open at 6:45, classes are 7 - 8 pm, followed by two hours of tango dancing with traditional and alternative music. No previous dance experience or partner is required — just an adventurous spirit. Bring a water bottle and indoor shoes.
Constance Brissenden is an experienced presenter, writer, editor, and historian living in Cromdale. She is co-author of nine award-winning books by Cree author Larry Loyie (1933-2016), in addition to more than 20 books of history and travel.
Give tango a try
Mondays, 7-8 pm
Parkdale-Cromdale Hall, 11335 85 St
$5 or by donation (free to PCCL members).
Instructor: Aydan Dunnigan-Vickruck tango@yegtango.ca
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