Alma de Tango Festival London 2026 — Workshops

Alma de Tango Festival London · 15–18 October 2026

Argentine Tango Workshops in London

Learn from exceptional international maestros across four days of Alma de Tango Festival London. 10 workshops · Individual workshops £30 · Choose 3, 5 or up to 8 with a workshop-inclusive pass · 1 live musicality seminar.

Westminster Boating Base · 136 Grosvenor Road · Pimlico · London SW1V 3JY

Learn · Explore · Refine

A workshop programme built around real social Tango

Across four days, Alma de Tango Festival London brings together three exceptional international teaching couples for a programme designed to develop technique, musicality, connection, improvisation and freedom within the dance.

Whether you are strengthening your foundations, developing greater versatility or looking for sophisticated material and advanced concepts, the programme offers workshops for different stages of Tango experience.

Your Programme, Your Experience

Choose the workshops that inspire you.

Build your programme your way. Book individual workshops for £30 per person, choose any 3 workshops with Festival Flex, 5 workshops with the Festival Pass, or up to 8 workshops with the Full Experience.

10

Tango Workshops

Technique, musicality, improvisation and social-dance concepts across four festival days.

3

Teaching Couples

Distinctive approaches and perspectives from exceptional international Tango maestros.

3

Experience Levels

Clear guidance to help dancers choose workshops that suit their current Tango journey.

1

Live Musicality Seminar

Explore Tango music through live bandoneon and violin demonstrations.

Workshop Timetable

Plan your Alma learning experience

Explore all 10 workshops, discover what each class will focus on and find the right level for your Tango. Then book individual workshops for £30 or select your preferred sessions with a workshop-inclusive pass.

Level 1 Approximately 1–2 years
Level 2 Approximately 2–4 years
Level 3 Approximately 4+ years

Thursday 15 October

6:30–7:45 pm
WS1 · Roots & Tradition
Understanding the language that gives Tango its identity.
Level 1–2
Read more about this workshop

Marcela and Stefano return to the foundations of traditional Tango, exploring connection, posture, walking, musicality and the dialogue within the embrace. The class is about refining the fundamentals and understanding how simplicity, intention and elegance can bring greater depth and character to the dance.

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Friday 16 October

5:00–6:15 pm
WS2 · Creativity in Improvisation
Turning possibilities into personal expression.
Level 2
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A workshop about transforming technique into freedom: listening, responding and creating in the moment. Martín and Ayelén explore awareness, adaptability and choice within the dance, helping dancers discover new possibilities within familiar movements and develop a more personal approach to improvisation.

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5:00–6:15 pm
WS3 · Giros & Circularity
Finding flow, balance and connection in rotation.
Level 1
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A workshop exploring how to create clear, fluid circular movement while maintaining balance, connection and freedom within the embrace. Sandra and Ricardo work with the dynamics of the giro to develop greater control, musicality and possibilities for the social dance floor.

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6:30–7:45 pm
WS4 · Vals Dynamics
Flow, momentum and musicality in constant motion.
Level 3
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An exploration of the natural momentum of vals, using rhythm, direction and continuity to create movement that feels fluid, connected and effortless. The class focuses on developing greater freedom and musical expression within the characteristic flow of vals.

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Saturday 17 October

11:00 am–12:15 pm
WS5 · Boleos & Ganchos Variations
Precision, timing and freedom in dynamic movement.
Level 3
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An exploration of different boleo and gancho variations through technique, timing, axis and connection. The emphasis is on understanding how these movements arise naturally from the dance so leaders and followers can create and adapt them with greater confidence, control and musicality.

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12:30–1:45 pm
WS6 · Barridas & Off-Axis
Playing with balance, intention and shared movement.
Level 2–3
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A workshop exploring the mechanics of barridas, weight transfer and subtle changes of axis. The focus is on creating these movements naturally through connection rather than force, developing precision, freedom and creativity while keeping the dialogue of the embrace at the centre.

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1:45–3:00 pm
WS7 · Milonga Vieja
Rhythm, character and the playful spirit of tradition.
Level 2–3
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A class exploring the traditional flavour of milonga through timing, weight changes, dynamic walking and compact movement. The workshop focuses on a grounded, rhythmic and playful quality, showing how simplicity and clarity can create strong character and expression.

Scheduling note: Runs at the same time as the Musicality Seminar in the adjacent room.

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1:45–3:00 pm
Special Musicality Seminar
Live bandoneon & violin demonstrations.
All Levels

Sunday 18 October

11:00 am–12:15 pm
WS8 · Musicality in Vals
Listening to the flow, phrasing and pulse of the music.
Level 1–2
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A workshop exploring how to hear and interpret the structure of vals through timing, dynamics, phrasing and movement choices. Marcela and Stefano focus on developing greater sensitivity to the music while keeping the dance fluid, grounded and connected.

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12:30–1:45 pm
WS9 · Carlos Moyano’s Giro
Exploring the legacy of a master of Villa Urquiza.
All Levels
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A workshop inspired by the distinctive giro associated with historic milonguero Carlos Moyano, known for the elegance and complexity of his giros and enrosques within the Villa Urquiza tradition. Martín and Ayelén explore the structure, changes of direction and coordination involved, bringing together technique, history and the movement vocabulary passed down through generations of Buenos Aires Tango.

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1:45–3:00 pm
WS10 · Planeos, Lápices & Enrosques
Drawing movement through the floor.
Level 2–3
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Sandra and Ricardo explore the technique behind planeos, lápices and enrosques, with attention to axis, dissociation and control. The workshop looks at how the free leg can trace and circle in response to the rotation of the body, developing elegance and precision within circular movement.

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Saturday scheduling: WS7 · Milonga Vieja and the Special Musicality Seminar run simultaneously in adjacent rooms, so dancers should select one of the two.

All workshops take place at Westminster Boating Base, our riverside festival home in the heart of London.

Build Your Alma Learning Experience

Found the workshops you don’t want to miss?

Book just one or two workshops individually for £30 each, or choose a workshop-inclusive pass and shape your own programme across the festival.

Individual Workshop · £30 each Festival Flex · Any 3 workshops Festival Pass · Choose 5 workshops Full Experience · Up to 8 workshops

Choose Your Learning Experience

Choose how you want to learn

Book one or two workshops individually for £30 each, or choose a workshop-inclusive pass for better value when taking several classes. Festival passes also include milongas, performances and live music during the days covered by your pass.

New · Individual Workshop Bookings

Want to join just one or two workshops?

Individual workshops are now available for £30 per person, per workshop. Choose your workshop and register as a Leader or Follower. Places are limited by role and availability, and some workshops are already filling quickly.

Planning to take several workshops? Our workshop-inclusive passes offer better value.

Flexible Three-Day Experience

Festival Flex

£200 3 days
  • Choose any 3 Tango workshops across the festival, subject to availability
  • Choose Thursday–Saturday, Friday–Sunday, or Thursday, Friday & Sunday
  • All milongas during your selected days
  • All performances during your selected days
  • Sonder Tango Orchestra live when included in your selected days
  • International festival DJs
Choose Festival Flex

The Balanced Learning Experience

Festival Pass

£280 4 days
  • Choose 5 Tango workshops
  • Special musicality seminar
  • All 5 festival milongas
  • 26 hours of dancing
  • Maestro performances
  • Sonder Tango Orchestra featuring Carolina Fassa
  • International festival DJs
Choose Festival Pass

Your Teaching Team

Three distinctive approaches to Tango

Each teaching couple brings a different perspective, creating a programme that moves from foundations and connection to improvisation, dynamics, musicality and advanced movement.

Sandra Messina and Ricardo Calvo

Elegance · Technique · Musicality

Sandra Messina & Ricardo Calvo

Sandra and Ricardo combine refined technique, sophisticated musicality and a deep understanding of movement within the embrace.

WS3 · Giros & Circularity
WS4 · Vals Dynamics
WS6 · Barridas & Off-Axis
WS10 · Planeos, Lápices & Enrosques
Meet Sandra & Ricardo →
Martín Vicente and Ayelén Urrutia

Improvisation · Tradition · Expression

Martín Vicente & Ayelén Urrutia

Martín and Ayelén bring creativity, dynamic energy and a strong connection to Tango tradition, encouraging dancers to develop freedom and personal expression.

WS2 · Creativity in Improvisation
WS5 · Boleos & Ganchos Variations
WS7 · Milonga Vieja
WS9 · Carlos Moyano’s Giro
Meet Martín & Ayelén →
Marcela Guevara and Stefano Giudice

Connection · Tradition · Social Dance

Marcela Guevara & Stefano Giudice

Marcela and Stefano bring elegance, sensitivity and a strong understanding of the communication that makes traditional social Tango feel comfortable, musical and alive.

WS1 · Roots & Tradition
WS8 · Musicality in Vals
Meet Marcela & Stefano →

Discover the full Alma artistic team

Meet our maestros, guest artists, orchestra and international DJs.

Meet the Artists

A Programme for Different Stages of Experience

Newer dancers are welcome. Advanced dancers are challenged.

Every workshop has a recommended level based on years of dancing experience. This guidance helps you choose classes in which you can learn confidently, productively and safely.

Our programme welcomes dancers who are newer to Tango while also providing the depth, complexity and refinement expected by highly experienced and advanced dancers.

Level 1 · 1–2 Years

Build strong foundations

Recommended for dancers with approximately one to two years of experience who want to strengthen technique, connection, musicality and confidence in social dancing.

Level 2 · 2–4 Years

Develop depth and versatility

Recommended for regular social dancers with approximately two to four years of experience who are ready to explore greater complexity, adaptability and refined movement quality.

Level 3 · 4+ Years

Refine and be challenged

Recommended for highly experienced dancers with four or more years of regular dancing who are comfortable working with advanced concepts, precision and sophisticated partner communication.

How combined levels work: Level 1–2 and Level 2–3 workshops are designed for dancers across both experience ranges. All Levels workshops welcome dancers from across the programme. These recommendations are guidance rather than labels of status and help protect the quality of both the learning experience and the social dancing at the festival.

Special Festival Seminar

Hear Tango Differently

Discover how Tango music is built through a special musicality seminar with the directors of Sonder Tango Orchestra.

Through live bandoneon and violin demonstrations, the musicians will explore rhythm, melody, phrasing, orchestral texture and the distinctive qualities that shape different interpretations of Tango music.

The seminar is designed to help dancers hear more, understand more and make richer, more intentional choices in their dancing.

Book individually for £30, or included with the Festival Pass and Full Experience.

Simple and Flexible Booking

Book individual workshops or build your festival programme

Individual workshops can now be booked for £30 per person. If you choose Festival Flex, Festival Pass or Full Experience, workshop selection is completed during the Ticket Tailor booking process.

1

Choose how you want to book

Book an individual workshop for £30, or select Festival Flex, Festival Pass or Full Experience depending on how many workshops and festival days you would like to attend.

2

Select your workshops

Choose your preferred workshop and dancing role, Leader or Follower. Places are limited by role and availability.

3

Book solo or together

You may book as a solo dancer or as a couple. Both options are warmly welcomed.

4

Receive confirmation

Your pass and selected workshops will be confirmed through Ticket Tailor after booking.

Important Workshop Information

Balanced, welcoming and flexible

Carefully balanced roles

We monitor leader and follower balance very carefully throughout the booking process. We have strong experience in providing balanced classes and work actively to create a comfortable, productive environment for everyone.

1

Solo bookings are welcome

You do not need to arrive with a partner. Dancers can book individually or as a couple, with role balance carefully managed across each workshop.

30

Change your workshop choices

You may amend your workshop selection until 30 days before the festival begins, subject to availability in your newly selected classes.

Transfer your pass

A pass may be transferred to another dancer with our prior approval. Please contact the festival team before arranging or confirming any transfer.

15–18 October 2026 · London

Learn deeply. Dance beautifully. Be inspired.

Join an exceptional teaching programme created for dancers at different stages of their Tango journey, from newer dancers building confidence to advanced dancers seeking depth, refinement and challenge.