All events at Byron Bay Community Centre, 69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay
Friday 7th March Byron Bay Community Centre
Afternoon
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From 1:00pm. Registration in Foyer of Community Centre
2:00 - 5:00pm. Hello! milonga DJ Ben (Byron) - Main Auditorium
2:00 - 5:00pm. Alternate Neotango Milonga DJ Esther (Byron) - Upstairs room. Entry for non-pass holders are also available for this milonga. $20 at door for these attendees.
Evening
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6:30pm. Drinks - Bar Opens
7:30pm - Midnight. Welcome Milonga with DJ Wendy (Brisbane) - Main Auditorium
Saturday 6th March Byron Bay Community Centre
Morning
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From 9:30am. Registration in Foyer
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10:00am -1:00pm (break at 11:30am) Immersion class 1 with Martin and Mauge : Architecture of the Embrace [Red Pass] - Main Auditorium
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10:00am - 1:00pm. Morning milonga DJ TBA - Upstairs room
Afternoon
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1:30- 2:30pm. Workshop 1 Vals:creating continuity and musical flow [Blue Pass & Red Pass] - Main Auditorium
1:00 - 4:00pm Afternoon milonga with DJ Stephan (New Zealand) - Upstairs room
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Evening
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6:00pm. Drinks - Bar Opens
7:30pm - 12:30 am. Festival Milonga with DJ Euan (Korea), live music by Festival Orquesta Tipica and performances by Martin and Mauge- Main Auditorium. Note that live music starts at 7.30pm. Don't be late!
Sunday 7th March Byron Bay Community Centre​
Morning
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For festival attendees not taking workshops, the morning is free to browse the Byron outdoor markets or laze on the beach.
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10:00am -1:00 pm. Immersion class 2 with Martin and Mauge [Red pass] Pivots with purpose.- Main Auditorium​​​
Afternoon
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12:00 noon- 1:00 pm First Step Tango for beginners. With local GoTango teacher Esther. No partner necessary; $20 at door. Upstairs room​.
1:30 - 2:30pm. Workshop 2 [Blue Pass & Red Pass]- Sacadas for social dancing- Main Auditorium
2:45 - 3:45pm. Workshop 3 [Blue Pass & Red Pass] Fun steps! - Main Auditorium
4:30 - 6:00pm. TANGO!Concert by Mendoza Quartet and Friends [Not included in festival passes. Purchase online byrontheatre.com or at door] - Main Auditorium
Evening
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7:00pm. Drinks - Bar Opens
8:00 -11.30pm. Farewell Milonga. DJ Stephan (NZ)
Festival Registration. All events are at the Byron Community Centre, found in Jonson Street, Byron Bay. The registration desk will be open from 1pm on Friday 5th March 2027.
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Immersion Classes. Please note that the immersion classes are for experienced dancers. As a rule of thumb, circa 5 years of tango dancing and attending classes, workshops and practicas. Limited to 30 couples.
The festival is centered on a group of dance couples who commit to a weekend of intense learning with internationally recognised instructors. This year Martin Cayesse and Mauge Corna will lead the immersion classes, consisting of 2x 3.0hr “seminars”. The structure of each seminar will be fluid and interactive to maximise learning and retention.
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Immersion 1.
Architecture of the Embrace - Alignment, embrace and connection.
Exploring how body alignment and our relationship with the floor shape the embrace and create a true connection. We'll work from the standing leg and the transition, developing a clearer and smoother communication between both roles.
Immersion 2.
Pivots with purpose - Mechanics, intention and musicality.
Understanding different types of pivots, where the movement originates in the body, and how each one can create different dynamics, textures, and musical possibilities within the dance.
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Tango Workshops. These workshops are designed to extend and deepen the skill of dancers in a specific subject matter. Requires competency in tango dancing; absolutely not suitable for those with basic skills only. Limited to 30 couples.
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Workshop 1:
Vals: continuity and musical flow.
Connecting movements into fluid secquences using the rythim of vals to develop continuity, momentum and musicality, with tools that you can also apply to tango.
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Workshop 2:
Sacadas for social dancing - Energy, direction and control.
Learning how to manage and redirect energy in sacadas, keeping the movements within the line of dance and creating dynamic possibilities without sending the action outward or interfering with other couples.
Workshop 3:
Fun steps! - Playful movements to surprise your partner
Adding playful and sometimes more complex movements to the dance, combining challenge, creativity and spontaneity to create unexpected moments and bring a smile to your partner.
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Milongas. A series of morning and afternoon informal milongas are held in the upstairs room, each with a different guest DJs. There is a formal milonga each evening with music by DJs and live music on Saturday, featuring members of the Mendoza Tango Quartet with guests musicians and singer Solange Lipcin.
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Private Lessons. Martin and Mauge will be available for private lessons from 3rd March to 11th March. Cost $180 for one teacher (couple or single) or $240 for two teachers (couple or single). For bookings SMS Conrad on 0413348186
Special Events. For several years, the Festival has hosted a concert by the Mendoza Tango Quartet celebrating a critical aspect of the Argentine Tango. A quote from one of their concerts "Forget the clichés—Mendoza tears into the raw heart of tango with fearless passion and fire. From the smoky dance halls of the 1930s to the rebellious sounds of the 70s and the bold pulse of today, this is true Argentine tango that will change what you thought you knew about tango."
This event is open to the general public and entry is not included in the festival passes. Tickets will be available at the Byron Bay Community Centre (book beforehand or in person at their box office)
