Frequently Asked Questions
Please check through the list of questions below before making an enquiry. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please use the form to submit a specific question.
- Do I need special shoes?
- Do I need special clothes?
- Do I need to bring a partner?
- How do I get there?
- Does it matter that I have missed the first few classes?
- Does it matter if I can't get to the class every week?
- Is there a joining fee?
- Where can I find tango music?
- Does it matter how old I am?
- Do I need previous dance experience?
- How much does it cost?
- Do you have any social events?
- Where can I buy dance shoes?
- How do I know what level I am?
- Can I attend the improver/intermediate class?
- I am coming from classes at another club. How do I know which of your classes to attend?
If you answer is not covered here, please use the enquiry form.
Answers
Do I need special shoes?
You should wear shoes which you will find comfortable for an hour. They should have smooth soles. Rubber soles such as those found on trainers can make dancing more difficult. Women may wear a heel, but as a beginner you will find it easier if your heel is not too high. Your shoes should allow you to point your toes so boots above your ankle may not be suitable.
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Where can I buy dance shoes?
Once you have been dancing for a while, you may wish to buy special dance shoes (men and women). These are available at most dance shops or through the internet.
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Do I need special clothes?
Just wear clothes in which you feel comfortable and which allow you to move freely. There is no particular dress code for classes. At milongas, most people tend to dress more smartly.
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Do I need to bring a partner?
No. In most tango clubs there tend to be more women than men, so if you are a woman and you do have a male friend to bring it might be useful, but it is not essential. During classes, we regularly swap partners to make sure we can dance with everyone.
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How do I get there?
We use several different venues. All of them can be found on our directions page.
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Does it matter that I have missed the first few classes?
No. While it is clearly an advantage to attend every class at the beginning, we find that most people are able to catch up pretty well. We start our beginners; course three times a year, but accept newcomers at any time.
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Does it matter if I can't get to the class every week?
No. Your rate of progress is clearly going to be dependent upon many factors. Some people progress very quickly with very few lessons and some do so more slowly. We recommend that you try and attend each week as the beginner lessons build upon each other, but it is always possible to catch up the previous week's skills.
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Is there a joining fee?
No. You pay each time you attend. We believe in keeping prices as low as possible.
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How much does it cost?
Not a lot! Check our classes page for the latest prices.
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Where can I find tango music?
Most of the high street music stores have a small selection of tango in their World Music section. If you need any further advice, come along and ask at the club. Some of us have quite extensive collections of music and can point you in the right direction.
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Does it matter how old I am?
No. We have a wide range of ages in the club. If you are old enough to walk (or young enough to walk for that matter) you can do tango. We generally see ourselves as an adult club, but if you are under 18 and are interested, please contact us and we will see what we can arrange.
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Do I need previous dance experience?
No. Most of our members have never done any dancing before (especially the men).
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Do you have any social events?
Yes! We have a milonga every couple of months and a ball each summer. We also travel to neighbouring clubs to dance, often organising for a group of us to go. There is also a very popular drinking club in a local establishment after each class.
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How do I know what level I am? / I am coming from classes at another club. How do I know which of your classes to attend?
It is always difficult to define what level a dancer is. At Tango Cheltenham we avoid setting time limits such as "you will be an intermediate after a year" because we know very well that some people will learn more quickly than others and since we actively encourage people to attend other classes as well as ours, some people will dance far more in one year than others.
Instead, we give a rough guide as follows:
- Improvers: You will have either atended our 10 week or so beginner cycle or know how to dance the basic 8, a cunita, ocho and ocho atras. If you have learned at a different club and learned something different instead of these, please either ask us or come along and have a chat. We have a reputation as a friendly club and will work out what is best for you.
- Intermediates: You will have generally been dancing for a little longer and will probably be able to dance a giro, understand about sacadas, ganchos and boleos. You may have danced a sandwich. By now, you will have attended several milongas and understand reasonably well the code of the dance floor. You may well have attended some classes at other clubs and will be able to pick up new steps from the teachers with less guidance than a beginner or improver. If in doubt, ask us or come along and have a chat
Can I attend the improver or intermediate class?
If you are still on our 10 week beginner cycle we would usually ask you to finish that before moving to the improver class. Once you have completed the 10 week improver class, talk to us about whether or not we feel you are ready to attend the intermediate class. Anyone is always welcome to stay and watch the intermediate class. We will usually let you know when we feel that you are ready to move up a class, but please feel free to ask at any time. However, please do not be offended if we say that you are not ready. We have a policy of regularly changing partners during a class and it is unfair if people have to dance with someone who is not of a sufficient level. Also, the teachers will not be expecting to teach "basics" in order to enable people to cope with intermediate skills.
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