Online Feature

Kick off your shoes and dance!
Free Saturday afternoon classes

by Bridgit Lujan

Joan Gonwa recently taught a free Saturday afternoon dance class at the National Hispanic Cultural Center where she was impressed by the students’ openness and their willingness to share ideas, feelings and the material.

“It was one of my most delightful teaching experiences,” Gonwa says. “They were one of the most diverse groups of students I have ever taught and the program has a sense of ease. It is noncompetitive – a truly welcoming experience.”

Tardes de Baile, or afternoons of dance, is a free program sponsored by the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Classes are offered one Saturday every month from 2-5 p.m. and are funded in part by optional $1 student donations.

Classes feature a varied sampling of many types of Latin-American dance, including Salsa, Flamenco, Mexican Folklórico, Aztec Dance, Tango and Ballroom. During ¡Globalbuerque! they move outside the Latin theme to address a variety of cultures including Scottish, African, Middle Eastern and Hula Dance. And during Women’s History month in March, female teachers are invited from various disciplines to teach such styles as Belly Dance and Hip Hop.

You don’t need to sign up for any of these classes — just show up at the PNM Rehearsal Hall classrooms at the NHCC. Heeled shoes are recommended for some classes; bare feet are welcome, too.

According to project coordinator Sarita Streng, “Students should not worry too much about the perfect footwear. The classes are a community atmosphere,” and all ages and abilities are welcome.

Albuquerque’s Sara de Luz, a new instructor at the NHCC, will teach a Beginning Flamenco class on December 13, which she describes as “an overview of Flamenco and Tango choreography.” She hopes to pass on to her students “the joy of Flamenco,” and will be “teaching a broad understanding of all the elements of Flamenco: song, guitar and dance – not just steps.”

Adriana Maresma, another new instructor, will teach Intermediate Flamenco on November 15. Commenting from Minneapolis, Adriana says that “students should have at least two to three years of Flamenco experience.”

Nicolasa Lujan will teach the Spanish Folk Dance, Sevillanas, on February 7.

“In the two-hour session, students will learn the steps, partnering, arms and hand work of the festive traditional dance, and will be ready to dance in any of Spain’s ferias.” Lujan said by phone from Sevilla.

Andy Riddle, a student of the program for over year, says his favorite part of the classes is the variety.

“The program offers good instructors from all over Albuquerque and Santa Fe,” he says. “It is a nice way to get exposure to many different styles.”

--Bridgit Lujan is a contributing editor to albuquerqueARTS.

Tardes de Baile
Spend a Saturday afternoon each month trying a variety of dance classes with talented instructors. Classes are free and open to all ages and experience levels. Students under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. More info at nhccnmnm.org.

November 15
2 p.m. Salsa Dips and Tricks with Joseph Gonzales
3 p.m. Argentine Tango Basics with Gary Diggs
4 p.m. Intermediate Flamenco with Adriana Maresma

December 13
2 p.m. The secret of Tango: Ins and Outs of Tight Dance Maneuvers with John Henry
3 p.m. Beginning Flamenco with Sara de Luz
4 p.m. Intermediate Mambo with Tony Perez

January 10
2 p.m. Salsa Arabe with Tahgrid & Anna Cameron
3 p.m. Ballroom Rumba with Millie Leahy
4 p.m. Salsa Dips, Drops, and Leans with Shawn Claude Muller