Tango the nights away

Real tango is more than dancing cheek to cheek holding a rose with your teeth. It’s technical, sensual and fun. Firehouse 5 Dance will host Tangathlon Friday through Sunday. It’s a weekend of tango madness, featuring two concerts from music group Narcotango. The Argentinean band fuses traditional tango music with electronic influences. The resulting sound is smooth and sensual—perfect for that tango embrace. There also will be a variety of workshops by world-famous tango instructors, including a tango rap artist. Seriously. Workshops include some focused on turns and pivots, being a good leader and follower, and embraceology. That’s the technical term for holding your partner oh-so close. There are classes for aficionados, tango virgins and everyone in between, which basically cancels any possible excuse for shy folk.

Narcotango will perform for La AlterNativa Tangathlon Saturday, June 26, at 9 p.m. and Sunday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. $26. Eastern Star Ballroom, 2719 K Street. Workshops will be Friday, June 25, through Sunday, June 27, at various venues. Visit the website for pricing, locations and schedules at http://tangoalternativa.com.