Melbourne tango duo, and Canberra favourites, Rina and Nadim Sawaya of Tango Esencia are coming to Canberra, 20-22 March 2026. They will conduct 6 tango workshops over 3 days, including their most popular technique classes.
There are workshops available for ALL levels - from new beginners to advanced. Each class stands on it own, but they also build on each other, so get the most out of the weekend and book all 6.
There are workshops available for ALL levels - from new beginners to advanced. Each class stands on it own, but they also build on each other, so get the most out of the weekend and book all 6.
Workshop schedule
FRIDAY 20 MARCH (Italian Cultural Centre)
🌹 Workshop 1: Tango technique - walk, embrace and connection 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 6.30- 8.00pm
This workshop will cover timing and preparation when moving together to improve the flow in the dance.
🌹 Workshop 2: Dancing in small spaces 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 8.00-9.30pm
Learn how to navigate the social dance floor and keep the flow while dancing in small spaces and on busy dance floors. This workshop will refine your spatial awareness as a dancer and have fun!
SATURDAY 21 MARCH (Italian Cultural Centre)
🌹 Workshop 3: Dancing to musical phrases 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 12.00- 1.30pm
Explore how tango music is structured and how to let its phrasing guide your movement, timing and expression on the dance floor. Learn to recognise musical sentences, pauses and resolutions and translate them into clear, intentional choices in your dance.
🌹 Workshop 4: Dancing the giros 🌹(Intermediate to Advanced*)
🕐 12.00- 1.30pm
Learn to dance giros while staying connected to your partner. You will also learn different ways to dance giros and make them more dynamic and fluid.
SUNDAY 22 MARCH (Italian Cultural Centre)
🌹 Workshop 5: Individual technique work and exercise drills with a partner 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 12.00- 1.30pm
During this workshop you work together to make your movements, such as spirals and pivots, more comfortable, stable and efficient. It will include exercises and drills to take back home and continue practicing for your own training.
🌹 Workshop 6: Vals🌹 (Intermediate to Advanced*)
🕐 1.30- 3.00pm
Understand how to bring out the rhythm and elegance of vals using alterations for the social floor.
* levels explained below
FRIDAY 20 MARCH (Italian Cultural Centre)
🌹 Workshop 1: Tango technique - walk, embrace and connection 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 6.30- 8.00pm
This workshop will cover timing and preparation when moving together to improve the flow in the dance.
🌹 Workshop 2: Dancing in small spaces 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 8.00-9.30pm
Learn how to navigate the social dance floor and keep the flow while dancing in small spaces and on busy dance floors. This workshop will refine your spatial awareness as a dancer and have fun!
SATURDAY 21 MARCH (Italian Cultural Centre)
🌹 Workshop 3: Dancing to musical phrases 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 12.00- 1.30pm
Explore how tango music is structured and how to let its phrasing guide your movement, timing and expression on the dance floor. Learn to recognise musical sentences, pauses and resolutions and translate them into clear, intentional choices in your dance.
🌹 Workshop 4: Dancing the giros 🌹(Intermediate to Advanced*)
🕐 12.00- 1.30pm
Learn to dance giros while staying connected to your partner. You will also learn different ways to dance giros and make them more dynamic and fluid.
SUNDAY 22 MARCH (Italian Cultural Centre)
🌹 Workshop 5: Individual technique work and exercise drills with a partner 🌹 (Beginners to Advanced*)
🕐 12.00- 1.30pm
During this workshop you work together to make your movements, such as spirals and pivots, more comfortable, stable and efficient. It will include exercises and drills to take back home and continue practicing for your own training.
🌹 Workshop 6: Vals🌹 (Intermediate to Advanced*)
🕐 1.30- 3.00pm
Understand how to bring out the rhythm and elegance of vals using alterations for the social floor.
* levels explained below
Levels
Your individual dance level is determined by a combination of your tango knowledge, technical skill, natural talent and practice time or application.
When workshops are offered by visiting teachers, dancers are encouraged to challenge and extend themselves. All workshops are tiered to provide benefit to any level. During the workshops, it is important you not compare yourself to others, just work on improving the quality of your own dancing.
These definitions are generalisations only and presume you are continuously learning and participating in a lesson, practica or milonga around once a week.
🌟Beginners: People who are just starting to between 6 months and 5 years.
🌟Intermediate: People who have been dancing up to 5 years, and regularly learning and dancing at milongas
🌟Advanced: People who have been dancing for 10 years, with consistent learning and dancing at milongas
Your individual dance level is determined by a combination of your tango knowledge, technical skill, natural talent and practice time or application.
When workshops are offered by visiting teachers, dancers are encouraged to challenge and extend themselves. All workshops are tiered to provide benefit to any level. During the workshops, it is important you not compare yourself to others, just work on improving the quality of your own dancing.
These definitions are generalisations only and presume you are continuously learning and participating in a lesson, practica or milonga around once a week.
🌟Beginners: People who are just starting to between 6 months and 5 years.
🌟Intermediate: People who have been dancing up to 5 years, and regularly learning and dancing at milongas
🌟Advanced: People who have been dancing for 10 years, with consistent learning and dancing at milongas
Prices
Member prices
🎟️ Each workshop = $45
🎟️ 4 x workshops = $160
🎟️ 6 x workshops = $210
Non-member price
🎟️ Each workshop = $50
🎟️ 4 x workshops = $180
🎟️ 6 x workshops = $240
Member prices
🎟️ Each workshop = $45
🎟️ 4 x workshops = $160
🎟️ 6 x workshops = $210
Non-member price
🎟️ Each workshop = $50
🎟️ 4 x workshops = $180
🎟️ 6 x workshops = $240
Private lessons
Rina and Nadim will also be offering private lessons. Times are available across Friday 20 March, Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March. Places are limited, so get in quick to reserve your space!
A one hour lesson with Rina AND Nadim:
🎟️$150 (single person)
🎟️$175 (couple)
Rina and Nadim will also be offering private lessons. Times are available across Friday 20 March, Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March. Places are limited, so get in quick to reserve your space!
A one hour lesson with Rina AND Nadim:
🎟️$150 (single person)
🎟️$175 (couple)
Book now
Book and pay by direct bank transfer, include your name and which workshops you will attend:
Tango Social Club of Canberra
BSB: 032 713
Account No: 394 587
Book and pay by direct bank transfer, include your name and which workshops you will attend:
Tango Social Club of Canberra
BSB: 032 713
Account No: 394 587