3 Week Introduction to the Walking Embrace
with Biljana Lipic and Becalelis Brodskis
Thursdays 4th, 11th & 18th June
6:30pm – 8:30pm
St Gluvias Community Hall is on Claver Close Penryn TR10 8SG
No partner necessary. Role-fluid approach available — see below
Aimed at total beginners, as well as more expereinced beginners wishing to revisit the foundations.
This course introduces the fundamentals of Argentine tango through the walking embrace — connection, posture, balance, listening, weight-sharing, musicality, and the subtle dialogue between leading and following.
What is Argentine tango?
Unlike the highly choreographed tango often seen in stage productions or television shows, The tango we dance is social Argentine tango , rooted in improvisation, musicality, connection, and the shared experience of the embrace.
Argentine tango emerged from a rich mix of African, Indigenous, criollo, and immigrant European cultures within the working-class districts, bars, patios, and dock areas of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the late 19th century. Born from longing, migration, improvisation, and social encounter, tango later travelled to Europe, where its popularity in the ballrooms of Paris helped transform it from a marginal dance into an internationally celebrated art form.
Tango itself has survived periods of censorship and repression, including restrictions on public gatherings during Argentina’s military dictatorships, yet continues to evolve globally as a living social art form.
Within the UK, and particularly in Cornwall, there are many different approaches to tango. Both Biljana and Bec have been longstanding proponents of the dance in Cornwall, each bringing a rich mix of experience, influences, and approaches to the teaching and culture of tango.
What are the aims of this course
There are many different approaches and styles within tango culture. This introduction aims to offer a rich and grounded insight from which to begin your own journey into the dance.
Rather than rushing into complex figures and sequences, we will focus on developing sensitivity, grounding, confidence, and communication within the embrace. The aim is to build strong foundations that support both enjoyment and long-term development in the dance.
While designed as an introduction. for total beginners, the course will also benefit begginers who already know some basics and want to have the support of a group learning environment to deepen them. As an advanced dancer myself, I return again and again to the foundations. The basics are not something we leave behind — they are where the depth of the dance continues to unfold.
The class will be between 1 and 1.5 hours with the remaining time left to practice in a supportive environment
Inclusive & Queer Tango Informed Approach
This is a queer tango informed space, meaning we approach the dance in an inclusive and non-gendered way. Leading and following are not automatically assumed according to gender, and participants may be invited to explore different roles within the dance.
You do not need to be queer or LGBTQ+ to attend. The space is open to anyone who is respectful of difference, comfortable within an inclusive environment, and interested in exploring tango through openness, connection, and shared learning.
For more about queer tango culture:
Queer Tango London
Teaching Team
Biljana Lipic
Internationally acclaimed teacher and dancer. A pioneer of women leading in tango, as well as a sought-after private teacher at the highest level. Founder of the Tango Dome in London and a key figure in the proliferation of tango in Cornwall. Alongside traditional tango, Biljana also explores more experimental and transformational approaches to movement including Shamanic Tango.
Becalelis Brodskis
A dancer with depth of experience of tango beyond the dance itself — informed through numberous visits to Buenos Aires, managing a leading tango couple, producing a tango feature documentary, and founding Barefoot Tango Practica. He also rescently introduced Brazilian forró to Cornwall through inviting guest teachers and organising workshops exploring dances of the close embrace. Alongside this, he is a highly experienced group facilitator with a postgraduate diploma in teaching in both higher education and community settings.
Cost
£45 full price
£30 concessions available
Booking link via Dandelion
Location
St Gluvias Community Hall is on Claver Close Penryn TR10 8SG
By foot : Approached from town centre, the entrance is on the right down the path just after just after no.46 west streer. The path leads down via steep steps to the main entrance door.
By bus, approaching from the Truro direction, there is bus stop on West Street conveniently before the Calver Close turning – ask for “Calver Close, in West Street“. Approaching from the Falmouth direction (and for all departures), use the bus stops in the town centre.
By private vehicle: Approach along West Street (one-way from the Truro direction); turn left into Calver Close and follow the road down to the bottom where it opens out. The Hall is on the right.
There is very limited parking (spaces H5-H10 (the hatched area) only.
[The spaces H1-H4 are privately leased and are never available to hall users].
You must display a parking permit or risk a Penalty Charge Notice.
There is step-free access from the parking area via the concrete path to the main door.
Barefoot Embrace Dance 