take the lead
Cultivate your cha-cha-cha and tighten your tango technique at one of Moscow’s many dancing schools, where the fire of Latin America burns eternal.
TEXT NICHOLAS WALLER feedback
The vast geographic region of Latin America stretches from the wind-swept islands of the Tierra del Fuego to the sultry beaches of Havana. Over the course of the last three centuries, the region has provided the world a near-unparalleled variety of passionate song and dance. Within its vast repertoire, one can find their rhythm through the wild intensity of samba and salsa, or in the equally engaging sensual melancholy of tango. Latin dancing’s world-wide appeal stems from the multitude of personalities and cultures that it originates from. Bound linguistically by their colonial ties to the Iberian Peninsula, the richly diverse intricacies from one nation to the next has given birth to a multitude of sounds and rhythms. The cultural fusion of Spanish and Portuguese colonists with their indigenous subjects, led to a synthesized musical style that melded instantly with the influx of West African slaves and their highly improvisational dancing. A result of this unique cross-pollination was the birth of regional dancing styles that have taken the world by storm. Dancing, for the musically inept, can seem a fascinating and yet intimidating art best left to the cultures that had the privilege of creating them. Whether it is the elegance of a classic Viennese Waltz or the martial intensity of Caucasus dancing, many are often led to believe that they are best suited as appreciative spectators. Steps rely heavily on the overall feel of the accompanying music, as well as a loose adherence to their basic steps. Generally grouped into four beat patterns — the exception being tango — the emphasis lies in the couple’s interpretation of the basic pattern. “It’s all mood, mood and more mood. It becomes something like a drug once you’ve begun. You can’t do anything but continue,” Nastya and Nikita, students and attendees of M.G.U.’s Dance College, revealed.“Its some of the most enjoyable and hard working exercise you’ll ever do. And best of all, it’s so enjoyable and passionate.” When asked how they judged their classmate’s abilities to adopt the fire of Latin dance, they explained, “Russians seem to be best at cha-cha-cha. The steps and rhythm are the easiest for everyone to pick up.” Russia is world renowned for its ballet and philharmonic schools, but what’s less known is that Russians constitute a high percentage of champion Latin and Ballroom dance teams. Russian couples are frequently cited as the vanguard of the performance world. Moscow, teeming with a multitude of champions and specialists in a variety of mediums, offers all aspiring dancers the chance to improve their skills. Located on the campus of M.G.U., Dance College M.G.U. offers an affordable and congenial student atmosphere in which to learn the introductory steps of samba, rumba, salsa and cha-cha-cha. For a mere 100 rubles per session, one can join in at varying levels of expertise four times per week. They offer a relaxed and easy-going attitude for those who wish to join. As many of the participants are students, those who are in need of some English explanation are bound to find a partner who may assist them with any misunderstandings. However, the best advice is to simply adopt the mantra of Latin music and eschew words, taking time to feel the music. Those seeking a professional studio experience can make their way to the respective schools of Oktava and Dance School Galax. Located a short distance from Lubyanka, Oktava provides their students a professional studio and a range of general Latin dance courses. One-hour lessons ($50) are held each Wednesday and Friday for varying levels. A similar reception awaits those who seek-out the expertise of the instructors at Dance School Galax. Offering the widest array of ballroom style interpretations of samba, rumba, salsa and merengue, classes are held each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 300 rubles per lesson. Additionally, they offer a 100-ruble introductory course for the first session. Tango is often regarded as the elegant gendarme of Latin America’s dance heritage. Steeped in tradition and emotion, Argentina’s most identifiable cultural contribution has found an audience the world over since it first ventured out of Buenos Aires’ barrios in the early 20th century. Once the melancholic dance of Italian and Spanish immigrants and their prostitutes, tango grew to popularity in the fashionable salons of Madrid, Paris and New York, which brought a wider appreciation to its inescapable sensuality. Only steps from the Argentinian restaurant El Gaucho, La Milonga is Moscow’s attempt at the dimly-lit, intimate venues of Buenos Aires’ tango clubs. With low ceilings and smoke-filled rooms of couples performing what the Argentines call “vertical sex,” La Milonga is an ideal location to take one’s first steps in mastering Rudolph Valentino’s signature dance. Offering classes for all levels, the professional staff takes great pains to induct the uninitiated into the world of tango. Schedules are subject to enrollment demand, with each session priced at 300 rubles. Workshops, demonstrations and showcases, often by visiting Argentinian masters, are frequent offered. In addition, traditional “milongas,” or dance parties, are offered following events and classes. As the repertoire of Latin dances grows in Moscow, so too does its popularity. Countless numbers of venues and schools are beginning to offer classes for both the curious and experienced Muscovites. As relayed the earlier student pair, “Classes are so energetic and with a good group of people.” However, as explained by Nastya, a word of encouragement for aspiring male dancers in need of attention, “It’s very hard to find guys to dance with. There are a lot of girls who are very good dancers, but who lose their technique because there are so few men who come to the lessons.” Though a hemisphere away and far from blessed with a tropical climate, Moscow offers plenty of outlets for those who seek an introductory course to the musical and physical passions of Latin America. | 
