FERN ADAIR CONSERVATORY: Many yearn to learn the tango

Center offers classes for those who yearn to learn the tango

The Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts has always offered several classes in dance and fitness to its patrons. But only recently have the classes gone Argentine.

Tango Silhouette founders Gabriel and Allyson Manta have begun to offer their talents to students each Friday night in addition to their regular classes at Dance Charisma, 3650 S. Jones Blvd.

Victoria Panzarella, public relations spokeswoman for the conservatory and an avid tango dancer, said the conservatory had planned to open its classes up to a larger audience. All of the tango classes are open to all levels of dancers, from the novice to the experienced.

Allyson Manta said the key to an affective tango group is the Milonga, which means either a dance hall or an event at which a person can tango.

"People have started to come. The first class is free," she said. "Try it. If you do like it, come back and buy a card. We have five classes for $50 (per person), which is very affordable. But in addition to that, we're starting an ongoing series of events, such as tango parties at an art gallery.

"For me, the whole purpose is the Milonga. It's essential. You have to have a chance for people to dance. It's also a sign of a healthy tango scene in a city."

Manta said people have tried in the past to teach tango, but found when it came time to dance, there were few places dancers had to showcase their new knowledge. She hopes her cooperation with the Fern Adair Conservatory opens the doors to a social gathering incorporating dance.

"I started a tango group in Montreal in 1989, and moved to Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil in 1999." Manta said. "I saw there was no Argentine tango in Las Vegas, and since it was my passion and I couldn't live without it, I decided to teach it.

"As I was working at 'Mystere,' I opened up a class with artists of that group, of which Gabriel was one. We kept working and became involved through the dance. By the time we got married, we became Tango Silhouette and decided to start teaching together."

Manta and her husband use their extensive background in different styles of dance to teach tango.

Panzarella said although the instructors are very welcoming, they also are very serious about mechanics.

"Allyson's background is in ballet, so she does have that dance experience, but she's a stickler for posture and movement," Panzarella said. "(Gabriel) is a gymnast in 'Mystere.' They make it look so easy. Even though this is a very large school, it's a family atmosphere. People who come in stay."

Manta said she's thankful to be teaching her passion to a varied audience. Although she'd like to one day operate her own studio when her husband's career with Cirque Du Soleil is finished, she finds the conservatory to be exactly the right venue for her to build a following.

"We've only just begun, so we're really at the beginning, although we did start here in Green Valley in another gym," she said. "But we're back to the source. I think the Fern Adair Conservatory has gone out of their way to get the class opening. There's a really wide variety of people that attend, and it tends to be lots of couples, but also singles from their 20s up to their 60s and 70s.

"It is a really peaceful and wonderful social thing."

Classes run at 6:45 p.m. every Friday through December, with January being dark because Manta is traveling to Argentina. Call 458-7575 to participate. Drop-in prices are $20 per person, per class.


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