How do I start?
When and where are the classes?
How much are the classes?
Who are the bootcamp instructors?

• Vladimir Estrin & Emily Ortiz
• Varo Boyajyan & Naomi Hotta
• Angel Echeverria & Julie Friedgen
• Brian Nguyen & Yuliana Basmadzhyan
• Miguel Cardoso & Julieta Barrionuevo
• Fabienne Bongard

Register at the Door

$60 Complete Beginners Bootcamp Pass

How do I start?

So you've wanted to learn to dance some tango like Al Pacino in the "Scent of a Woman". Or maybe you wanted to buy those amazing stiletto shoes and feel beautiful. Or you just wanted to try some intimate couple dancing with your significant other. Whatever your reason, it's always a good reason to try.

SMITH encourages you to come take your first tango steps at the Complete Beginner's Boot Camp at the Santa Monica International Tango Holiday. Some of Los Angeles' best tango teachers will take you through an exciting curriculum of 6 classes plus a free night of tango social dancing & performances. This is a great opportunity to experience the best in one weekend, and to give yourself a boot into the world of Argentine Tango! Check out the schedule and register online. Drop ins and showing up at the door is also ok but we advise you it's always better for your motivation to register in advance and get the full experience.

By the way, no partner necessary for classes or events but bringing a friend or significant other is a great idea. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes with covered heels (no slippers or flip-flops). Rubber sole shoes tend to stick to the floor and might be tough for pivoting, we recommend dancing in leather sole shoes but don't worry if you don't own any shoes, we're sure cavemen also danced.

When and where are the classes?

There are 3 classes each day on Saturday May 7th and Sunday May 8th. See below for detailed class hours and descriptions. These classes will be held in the Main South Gym in the Santa Monica High School which is the main venue space for the SMITH Tango Festival. Please refer to our Location Page for directions and parking instructions. In order to use your free pass to the nighttime social dancing events (aka milongas), please refer to hour Schedule Page for details.

Beginner Bootcamp Schedule

Saturday May 7th

12:00-1:15pm	Complete Beginners	Angel & Julie	Walking & Embrace - This will be the introduction to the basics of tango. You will feel the lead and follow of tango as you start walking with a partner in the tango embrace.	South Gym
1:30-2:45pm	Complete Beginners	Miguel & Julieta	Crusada - Getting into the basic cross, or 'Crusada', is a unique and exciting experience. A step you just can't miss in tango.	South Gym
3:00-4:15pm	Complete Beginners	Brian & Yuliana	El Ocho - One of the most well known figures in tango, the figure 8, 'Ocho'. We will work on implementing the 'Ocho' to your tango walk, a smooth transition into other elements of the tango dance. Will also explore the parallell and cross systems in order to understand the ochos.	South Gym

Sunday May 8th

12:00-1:15pm	Complete Beginners	Vladimir & Emily	Parada, Pasada, Gancho - The flashy stop and the pass, or 'Parada y Pasada', will be a variation off of the 'Ocho' and allow you to flourish your tango dance and impress others. The 'Gancho,' so typical and unique to Argentine Tango.	South Gym
1:30-2:45pm	Complete Beginners	Fabienne	Turns & Molinette - A complicated and beautiful move that will have you elegantly turning and navigating through the floor.	South Gym
3:00-4:15pm	Complete Beginners	Varo & Naomi	Musicality & Embellishments - Now, it's time to put together all your moves and dance to the music . We will give you some extra embellishments to spice up your tango. You're all set to tango away the night!	South Gym

How much are the classes?

• The full bootcamp pass is $60 per person or $100 per couple
  (includes 6 classes & admission to 1 night of tango dancing & performances)
  
• Single Drop-in Classes are also available for those busy bodys at $15/class.
  
• Boot Camp classes are free for High School and Junior High School students. Please register in advance and present your school I.D. at check-in.

To register for the full bootcamp pass: Register at the door

for a la carte options go to our Register Page

Who are the Bootcamp Instructors

We have some of Los Angeles' best Argentine Tango Instructors to give you the best experience. They are instructors located in various areas of Los Angeles that can give you opportunities for more classes after the bootcamp.

Click to check out their bio and class information.