Tango Connections classes with Patrick Marsolek & Lori Mitchell are fun, welcoming and exciting. Their classes focus on developing dynamic and living connections in the dance -- connections can be within ourselves, with our partner, with the music and the other dancers on the floor with us. Within these connections we explore a full range of communication and awareness of ourselves and our partners. Tango can be a tremendously rich and subtle experience. In each dance we develop and express unique qualities, emotions and energies.

We enjoy exploring a fluid and flexible embrace, a wide range of musical styles from traditional to nuevo and alternative, slow sensual dancing to milonga and tango vals. When focusing on particular steps, we encourage an organic discovery of new possibilities and ways of communicating new possibilities.

Since Patrick had is first introductory lesson in the Argentine Tango in 2005, he has been passionately exploring, studying and learning about the dance. Shortly after that first lesson he attended a full weekend workshop and hasn’t looked back. He’s attended seminars, festivals and has studied with many of the modern ‘masters’ of tango from the United states and Argentina; including Murat & Michelle Erdemsel, Alex Krebs, Oliver Kolker & Silvina Valz, (Pulpo) Norberto Esbres & Luisa Paez, Fabian Salas, Lola Diaz, Carolina Riviero, Donato Juárez, Caroline Peattie and Christopher Nassopoulos, Damian Esell and Nancy Louzan.

Patrick & Lori teach around Montana Photo by Ari Denison

In 2008 he traveled to Buenos Aires to study tango with Gustavo Naviera and Giselle Anne. In Argentina, he also immersed himself in the ‘Milonga’ scene, the social dance phenomenon of Argentina, gaining a deeper appreciation for the richness and tradition of the tango.

Since 2007 Patrick has been teaching tango around Montana. He’s one of the founding members of TangoHelena, a nonprofit community organization dedicated to promoting the tango and the culture of the dance in Central Montana. He has taught in Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Billings and Dillon.

He enjoys sharing the tango with people of all ages. He’s had students in grade school and as old as 100 years. He’s taught in schools, retirement communities, workplace Christmas parties, private groups and individual lessons. He also produced a series of Tango lessons through Helena Civic Television which has aired more than 50 episodes. He has produced four instructional DVDs on the technique and steps of the Argentine Tango, which have been enjoyed world wide.

Currently Patrick is teaching regular classes with Julie Tabler, Grace Hodges, and Linda Angeloni in Helena and with Lori Mitchell the Downtown Dance Collective in Missoula.

View some videos.

Here's some of the fundamentals of Patrick's & Lori's current classes:

Tango Connections. You can learn Argentine Tango, a highly personal and expressive social dance that can be danced to many different styles of music. It all starts with walking! Walk into a playful, fun, exploration of this exciting, improvisational dance.

In the Tango Connection classes you will learn the basics of the embrace, connection, musicality. Our classes build from week to week  with an emphasis on good posture, embrace and awareness of your partner, the music, and the other dancers on the floor.

We will dance to the full range of tango music from traditional Argentine, to modern tango orchestras, nuevo and fusion music and non-tango and popular music that works for tango. You will gain an understanding of the different forms of tango from traditional to nuevo (with the showy flourishes) and including tango waltz (Vals) and Milonga.

Couples or Singles are welcome as are same sex couples or individuals who wish to learn a non-traditional role. Students are encouraged to dance with other members of the class to ensure a fuller understanding of the dance. All ages are welcome, all body types, even those of you who 'can't dance'.