Class Handouts

Congratulations.  You have successfully enrolled in the College.  Welcome.

I would like to request that you purchase a pair of leather jazz shoes with a split suede sole.  You can find them online or in local shops, you may need to order your size and when you get them please don’t wear them until we check the fit.

These shoes are helpful for a number of reasons:

They are very flexible

They are not at all bulky, therefore enabling you to have articulate footwork.

They have a very low heel, facilitating you to be grounded, to feel and make friends with the earth

They are very light and give you extreme sensitivity

They are so soft that if you kick another class member or step on their toes it will be much less offensive that regular shoes.

Sometimes dancers begin class or practice in jazz shoes becoming warmed up and very connected to the floor, then later in the class put on other shoes trying in the other shoes to have the same feelings that were experienced in the jazz shoes.

If you are unable to get jazz shoes please bring unbulky leather or suede soled shoes.  Tennis or rubber soled shoes make dancing difficult, as they tend to inhibit pivoting and sliding.  If you are unable to do any of the above you can just wear socks or put socks over your shoes that are inappropriate for dancing.  Your feet are instruments and worth the investment.

Other than that, wear comfortable, clean clothing.  Hygiene is very important.  Oral hygiene is socially appreciated.  Brushing, gargling, flossing, brushing or even scraping the tongue really help not to have offensive breath which is extremely disconcerting to smell while dancing.  80% of mal odor comes from the tongue.  You might consider bringing some mints and taking one from time to time during class.  If you perspire a lot, please bring an extra shirt to class.

At various times men have made inappropriate comments to women in class and that has made the women uncomfortable.  I want to remind the guys that the tango’s renaissance happened at a time when ladies and gentlemen existed.  So let’s be real cavaliers; be gracious and kind, as we are a part of the new and greatest renaissance the tango has ever known.

Excuse me for being so nit picky but following these suggestions will make everyone’s dance experience more enjoyable.  We are going to have a lot of fun, and I look forward to sharing this dance which is so precious and sweet.

Ken