Washington University Tango

Argentine tango maestro Pablo Alonso will host a week of dances, workshops and master classes Nov. 19-26 for The Tango Group at Washington University.

On Friday, Nov. 19, Alonso will host a free tango/swing/salsa dance from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event will begin with a half-hour introduction to swing dancing and also include, at 9:15 p.m., an introduction to authentic Argentine style tango. The event is free and open to the public and will take place in Karl Umrath Lounge, located in Umrath Hall, immediately north of the Mallinckrodt Student Center, 6445 Forsyth Blvd.

In addition, Alonso will lead a series of tango workshops at 1, 2:15 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20; and at 1, 2:45 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21. Cost for each class is $20 and discounts are available for multiple classes. Beginners are welcome. Workshops take place in the Mudd House Multipurpose Room, located in the university’s South 40, on Shepley Drive just east of Big Bend Boulevard.

Finally, Alonso will lead a pair of master classes at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, and 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26. Cost is $20 for each class. Advance reservations are required.

For more information about the dance, the workshops or the master classes, call Shaun Sellers at (314) 935-6098 or visit http://cec.wustl.edu/~hs3/.

Alonso, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, began dancing tango in childhood. A member of the teaching staff at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, he assists in the choreography of plays in the West End, London’s theatre district, and has toured throughout South America, North America and Europe.

The Tango Group at Washington University will conclude its fall season Dec. 10-12 with a dance and workshop hosted by dancer Brigitta Winkler of Berlin, cofounder of the performance group Tango Mujer.