As the long, dark nights slowly creep in, hibernation mode beckons once more. While it’s all too tempting to sink into the sofa straight from work, there’s a whole other clandestine world taking place in shady venues across London. Thanks to the “Strictly” effect, dance is taking the capital by storm. Whether you fancy sashaying, rock and rolling, jiving or cerocing, there’s a class out there to indulge every whim. Keen to get in on the action, I drag my two left feet along to Regent’s Park to try out some alfresco tango.
Dance lesson
Organised to support the work of the Royal Parks, the event takes place during two weekends in July and August each year. Discreetly tucked away from the chaos of roller-bladers, dog walkers and Sunday strollers, the well-trodden dance floor is carefully laid out hours in advance of the session.
Blessed with sunshine and clear blue skies, picnic rugs are rolled out as we limber up for the action to come. With ages ranging from mid-thirties through to seventies and beyond, a chorus of creaking knees and hips resounds as we’re summoned to the dance floor.
With a no-nonsense approach, our charismatic instructor, Kele Baker, gets us straight down to business as we circle the dance floor in slow, sensuous beats of three. As the basic steps become more familiar, it’s now time to grab a partner and move things on to the next level.
Tango Alfresco
Dance practice
With worrying images of sinuous legs seductively rubbing together, I wait with trepidation for the risqué moves to come. Met with a lascivious wink from my sprightly partner, I brace myself for a heart-to-heart encounter.
Gingerly testing out the previous steps, we cautiously weave in and out of our counterparts. A good-natured tussle ensues as the urge to lead grips hold of me. Forcing myself into an unnatural state of passivity, the battle of wills abates and grimaces smooth to grins as we finally start to move together as one.
Tango Alfresco
Moving on from the basic moves, the lesson ends with a cheeky snake-hipped side-step and a demonstration from Kele on the flawless moves we can expect to aspire to in the future. Pink-cheeked and exhilarated, I leave with a list of evening classes and a determination that this winter, the long, dark nights won’t entirely be spent on the sofa.
Free alfresco tango lessons also take place between June and September at Spitalfields Market. (Last class: Thursday 26th September)
Visit London Tango for the range of classes available in London.