Abrazo, the queer milonga

Every 3rd Saturday of the month, we go tango deep at Abrazo, the Queer Milonga, and this month, April 19th, we have a big night of April Follies performances and AND a wonderful pre-milonga class with a visiting Queer Tango teacher and dancer from Argentina, Federico Imperial! 7:00 - 8:00: All-levels class with Federico Imperial. See below for Fede’s full-bio—but know this, Fedrico is a wonderful dancer from Argentina who now lives in Paris. He’s a dynamic, creative dancer and it's and a wonderful opportunity to dance and learn with him! He is tango my kindred. 8:00 - 11:00: Dancing and merrymaking to alternative and traditional tango music AND two special April Follies preview performances!!! Trip the light fantastic presents two formation teams, Chelo Cha Cha, winners of the Dancing in the River City competition, and their new team Trip the Light Heart, a country western extravaganza of fun. It’s a great night to fall in love with tango! $15 General $7 Students with ID $7 Never-been-to-a-milonga Special **No partner required. No experience necessary** Friendly dancers from the queer tango community are available to dance with beginners and newcomers throughout the night. Finnish Brotherhood Hall. 1970 Chestnut St. in Berkeley. For our guests with chemical sensitivities, please refrain from using perfumes and such. Thank you. Work trade is available. Questions: call 510-725-8458 or abrazoqueertango@gmail.com Introducing Federico Imperial: Dear peeps, while dancing abroad, I met a wonderful dancer and dear hearted person, Federico Imperial, a queer tango dancer and teacher from Argentina who now lives in Paris! He and his partner are visiting the Bay Area, and woohoo, Fede will teach 3 classes for us during his stay: -Wednesday April 16th, the beginner and intermediate classes: https://www.facebook.com/events/1419836231604441/?source=1 -Saturday April 19th, premilonga class for Abrazo. And now a bit more about Fede! I was born in Argentina where I grew up listening to my grandfather’s old tango vinyl records. At the age of 17, I started to go to the traditional milongas. I owe my first tango steps to the great maestro Genaro Trujillo. In 2001, I left mycountry and I settled down in France where I studied at the University of Tours and then Paris Sorbonne. Those were the days when Gotan Project arrived in Europe, Tango Nuevo was starting to flourish. I took classes with Chicho Frumboli, Juanito Juarez (Gotan Project dancer), Esteban Moreno. From 2003 Istarted traveling around the French Overseas Territories as a tango teacher: Tahiti, Guadeloupe. In 2005 I settled in the Reunion Island where I founded the Imperial Tango Academy, researching on tango Nuevo and contemporary dance. At present, I live in Paris, and I continue to organize tango events abroad (TangoNitePossessions with Fatma Oussaifi / Next festival coming soon). My teaching method involves working with musicality, rhythm and breath, self awareness and connection with the partner. For a more natural process, I make use of some contemporary dance techniques. During the classes the most important thing is to make students feel comfortable and to create a positive group energy. I mix traditional and nuevo’ style; the embrace however should stay elegant and adapt easily to the space. Please come and join us in welcoming this lovely dancer and teacher to the Bay Area! Contact Fede directly to schedule a private lesson: federicoimperial@gmail.com All profits from this event benefits the Queer Tango Teachers Fund. Come dance into happy with us