Double role tango training camp with Malin Backström

Kenelle

This course is aimed for double role Argentine tango dancers.

To participate, you should have at least basic skills in Argentine tango either as a leader or a follower and also some experience of dancing in the other role. You might as well be a well-experienced double role dancer or advanced in one role, now expanding your skills in the other role.

The content of the course is adjusted to meet the participants' needs and skills. There'll be plenty of learning opportunities for everyone!

Koulutuksen kuvaus

Course description

The topic of the course is "Two active roles – two listening roles". We'll investigate ways to find interaction based on intention/invitation and consensual responds and learn how to lead by following the follower. We'll examine a more pleasant and sustainable tango hold/abrazo – without forgetting the deep core of tango dancing, musicality.

We'll improve our skills in tango technique and the quality of our dancing, finding solutions in how to use our body. You'll perhaps come up with some new steps, patterns and figures as well. In the afternoon classes we'll take a dip into tango vals and milonga.

Roles and partners will be actively changed during the classes: we'll share experiences, supporting everyone's efforts to become better dancers.

We'll also have time to relax and lots of fun hanging out, having sauna, swimming, eating and dancing together for the whole weekend!

Teachers

Malin Backström is a Swedish pioneer of queer and double role dancing. She's been teaching couple dances in both roles for over 25 years, the last 12 years mainly Argentine tango. In her teaching Malin focuses on communication and musicality. From her point of view, it's much more interesting how you dance (quality and comfort) than what you dance (steps and patterns). She is well known for creating a comfortable and safe atmosphere at her classes, her pedagogical skills and her ability to make even difficult things seem easy. Malin has a dance studio in Stockholm and travels a lot. She's also a tango DJ and an author.

Malin is assisted by Saana Kalliokoski. Saana is an Alexander technique teacher with long experience in double role tango dancing. Her interests in tango are in awareness, movement, connection and the possibilities that they open.

Schedule

Friday
17–18 dinner, registration
18–19.45 workshop
19.45–21 guided practica
21– lakeside sauna, evening snack and dancing in the sauna lobby

Saturday
8–9.30 breakfast (for those with accommodation)
9.30–10 body awakening session
10–11.45 workshop
12–13 lunch
13.30–14.45 workshop: vals
14.45–15.15 coffee
15.15–17 guided practica
16.30–20 lakeside sauna
17–18 dinner
20– milonga with DJ Jaana Hänninen, evening snack

Sunday
8–9.30 breakfast (for those with accommodation)
9.30–10 body awakening session
10–11.45 workshop
12–13 lunch
13.30–14.45 workshop: milonga
14.45–17 practilonga and coffee

Price

Early bird price 135 €, until 27.4.
Regular price 148 €, 28.4.–15.6.

The price includes all meals, lessons, practicas, practilonga, milonga and lakeside sauna sessions.

The Saturday milonga is open only for the camp participants.

If you wish to stay overnight at Step, you may book accommodation:
+ 40 € in a shared twin room Fri-Sun (price for one person)
+ 70 € in a single room Fri-Sun
(please bring your own sheets and towels, or you may also rent them for 20 € – paid afterwards).

Both the course and accommodation are paid when registering.

Venue

STEP-koulutus (STEP-education), Järvenpääntie 640, 04400 Järvenpää, G-rakennus Lastu, Kaski-sali. We'll be dancing in a spacious hall with wooden floor: step.fi/kaski-sali/

We have plenty of free parking space and charging stations for e-cars. For caravans and mobile homes there are a few spots with electricity, located close to the road.

From the Ainola train stop it's only 1,3 km walk (local R- and T-trains from Helsinki).

Registration due date

15.6.2025

Other

The course needs a certain amount of participants for being organized. There's a limited amount of spots so please register as early as possible!

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As a warm up, there will be an Amigos del Tango's milonga at El Ático, Helsinki on Thursday evening. On Friday afternoon we can have a relaxed lakeside picnic and/or go and visit the nearby home museums (Ainola, Halosenniemi). If you're interested in joining the Friday afternoon program, please send email to doublerole@tango.fi

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The course is organized by STEP-koulutus in cooperation with the double role team of Amigos del Tango association.