Duo spurs tango takeoff

The dance trend started four years ago when Lidia and Hector Legrand began offering lessons in classic Argentine tango.

"We just started teaching a few friends that were interested in the dance and it caught fire from there," said Hector.

"The dance is addictive," said Claudia Booth, a tango student and a ballroom dancer.

The first lessons featured only a few students. Now the classes have blossomed into a tango society. Currently, more than 24 students are enrolled in three separate classes.

Students in all classes also are allowed to attend free practice sessions at the SaddleBrooke One Vermillion Ballroom on Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The classes are open to everyone.The only requirements are an open mind and the right shoes.

"You need a shoe with a leather sole because the dance features sliding of the feet and rubber-soled shoes don't slide," said Lidia.

Movement is the most unique thing about the classic tango.

Instead of picking up their feet when the dancers move, they slide.

"In the first lessons, Hector will have his students move around by just sliding until they get used to the movement," said Jane Gromelski, an advanced student.

Another unique feature of the tango is the communication.

"In a typical dance you will see the partners smiling and talking during the dance. This is not the case during tango," said Booth.

"Tango is 150 percent concentration."

During tango, the upper bodies of the dancers remain close.

But a story is told from the torso down.

If the bottom halves are close, it typically means the dancers are familiar with each other.

"However, if there is a lot of space between the bottom halves, you can tell the dancers are not familiar with each other," said Hector.

The Legrands teach all of the classes themselves. Although they are not certified tango instructors, they are self-proclaimed masters of their art.

"They are just wonderful teachers and you can't beat their native knowledge of the dance," said José Hernández-Rivera, a three-year tango student.

Hector and Lidia were married when Hector was 19 and Lidia 17.

They danced the tango often during their youth in Argentina.

Once they moved to the United States, that love for the dance followed.

To keep themselves up-to-date on the tango, they travel back to their native country twice a year to practice in the milongas.

"A milonga is basically a nightclub in which the tango is performed," said Lidia.

They have also started holding milongas in the Northwest.

Every fourth Tuesday of the month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., members of the society convene for a milonga at Sammy's Mexican Grill, 16639 N. Oracle Road.

"When dancing the tango in the milonga, it is like a three-minute date: You either impress or you don't," said Hector. "We want our students to impress."

Besides teaching the dance, the Legrands want their students to be familiar with the culture behind it.

Tango was born more than 100 years ago in Buenos Aires.

It is believed that the dance got its start in the brothels of the South American country.

From that crude beginning, the tango has evolved into the art form it is today.

"There are many types of tango now and people around the world love the dance," said Hector.

To teach their members the history of the dance, the society has started showing tango-related movies once a month.

Last month the society showed "Tango Our Dance," and "Assassination Tango" is a coming attraction.

"I hope the students can get a sense of the dance and the history behind it from these movies," said Hector.

Another thing the society is working on is implementing an annual trip to Buenos Aires for the students.

If you're interested in any activities of the tango society, contact Hector Legrand at 1-520-818- 3523.

Classes

MountainView Ballroom

38759 MountainView Blvd.

SaddleBrooke

Beginners

7-8 p.m. Mondays

Advanced/Intermediate

6-7 p.m. Mondays

Cost $40 for 12 one-hour classes

Central Arizona College

Aravaipa Campus

80440 E. Aravaipa Road

Winkelman

Sundays 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Cost $40

To enroll, contact Hector Legrand at 818-3523.