A Tango Weekend
Sat 22 Nov 10am to Sun 23 Nov 5:30pm.
Singles and couples welcome.
Inspired by the European encuentro tradition, our Tango Weekend is more than classes — it’s a retreat!
Step away from Perth and immerse yourself in two days of dancing, learning, eating, and celebrating together in Maria Girak’s restored Masonic Hall in Northam. Led by Rodrigo & Agustina, the weekend blends tradition, creativity, and community.
Across the weekend you’ll enjoy:
- Welcoming ronda & ice-breakers,
- Tango workshops on technique, connection & creativity,
- Improvisation, performance & chacarera
- Evening Milonga with DJ Fonti, plus student & artist showcase,
- Shared meals, live guitar & a joyful Farewell Milonga.
Deepen your tango, connect with friends old and new, and recharge in Northam’s beautiful setting.
Northam is about 100 km northeast of Perth, roughly a 1½-hour drive.
It’s easy to drive up on Saturday morning and return home on Sunday, so overnight accommodation is optional — but if you’d like to stay, here are convenient places nearby.
PROGRAMME
Sat 22 Nov, 10:00am → Sun 23 Nov, 5:30pm
Location: 16 Gordon Street Northam
Hosts: Maria Girak and Darryle Blakeney
Maestros: Rodrigo Fonti and Agustina Leoni
SATURDAY 22 NOV
10:00–10:30 Arrival & big welcoming ronda – integration games, surprises, tea/coffee
10:30–11:30 Ice-breakers & group connection – partner rotations, warm-up for the day
11:30–13:00 Tango lesson – technique & connection (posture, embrace, balance, clarity in lead/follow)
13:00–15:00 Lunch & chill – Subway lunch, rest, social time
15:00–16:15 Tango sequences workshop – building clear phrases & tools to create your own style/sequences
16:30–18:00 Creativity tango workshop – theatrical touch, group work, creating an optional group piece for the milonga
18:00–20:00 Dinner break – pub / RAC Hotel (own cost, social time)
20:00–23:30 Evening Milonga – Maria House, DJ Fonti, optional group student showcase + performance by Rodrigo & Agustina (dress up encouraged)
SUNDAY 23 NOV
Before 10:00 Breakfast – self-catered
10:00–10:15 Morning tea & arrival – biscuits, tea/coffee, gentle warm-up
10:15–11:45 Tango lesson – integrating technique, connection & musical expression
11:45–12:00 Short break – water, reset, milonga/chacarera prep
12:00–13:00 Chacarera workshop – learn and rehearse chacarera
13:00–15:00 Shared Sunday lunch – pizza/Subway + shared dishes, live guitar set
15:00–15:30 Afternoon tea & milonga setup – biscuits, tea/coffee, floor & music ready
15:30–17:30 Farewell Milonga – chacareras to start all together, relaxed tango, thanks & closing at 5:30pm
Accommodation Options (Approx. One-Night Rates)
Avon Homestay – less than 1 km from the venue, pool, shared bathroom
• Double room – ≈ $158 per night
• King room – ≈ $194 per night
• King room with private bathroom – ≈ $175 per night
Fairway Manor – 4-star guesthouse with pool and kitchenette, < 2 km away
• Rooms from ≈ $240 per night
Northam Caravan Park – several self-contained options
• Deluxe 4-bedroom house – ≈ $633 per night
• Standard 2-bedroom house – ≈ $248 per night
• Superior 1-bedroom unit – ≈ $236 per night
• 1-bedroom cabin – ≈ $115 per night
• Superior studio (2 bedrooms, 1 double + 1 bunk) – ≈ $115 per night
The Rec Hotel – 500 m from the venue
• Rooms ≈ $194 per night
Boucher Manor – ~1.8 km away, some rooms with kitchenettes
• Comfort triple (3 single beds) – ≈ $120 per night
• Deluxe king (1 double bed) – ≈ $134 per night
Riverside Hotel – ~500 m away, available Saturday night only; breakfast & restaurant on site
• Deluxe room – $165 (one night)
Historic Cottages – ~7.7 km away, all with kitchenettes + pool
• Hoddy Well (1-bed apartment) – ≈ $121 per night
• The Dairy (1-bed chalet) – ≈ $102 per night
• Talbot (queen bed, shared bathroom) – ≈ $69 per night
There are also a number of Airbnb options in and around Northam.