The forms of Tango are like stages of a marriage. The American Tango is like the beginning of a love affair when you are both very romantic and on your best behavior. The Argentine Tango is the next stage when you are in the heat of passion and all kinds of emotions consume you. The International Tango is like the end of the marriage when you are staying together for the sake of the children.
Read MoreThere’s always something inherently exciting about trying out a beginner course, and tango lessons are no exception. Many aspiring tangueros and tangueras would rush to tango classes with little to no knowledge about what to expect. On the one hand, this kind of attitude keeps one’s excitement intact, especially for those who are rather fond of surprises. On the other hand, not knowing anything about Argentine tango before taking beginner tango lessons may lead to some measure of disappointment in the long run.
Read MoreAesthetically speaking, tango is a beautiful dance. Not only is this evident in how tangueros and tangueras dress, but in the movements themselves.
Read MoreElegance and sophistication are exhibited by both partners. Thus, for tango to be beautiful, the dancers must also feel beautiful — which is what many women tend to feel, whether they lead or follow.
When asked about why they are addicted to Tango, self-proclaimed Tango addicts have a myriad of intriguing responses. Some answered that it was because of the interaction with the opposite sex. Another referred to Tango as his "quasi-religion" and described it as the artistic expression and freedom he needed to cope with all the order and humdrum of his daily life. One even compared Tango to fishing as a form of meditation.
Read MoreIn the sphere of Argentine tango, Newton’s Third Law can very much apply to the interactions shared by both leaders and followers, wherein each one gives and receives “force.” However, this term should not be mistaken as having the intention to coerce or intimidate. Rather, the concept of “force” in Argentine tango simply translates to the leader’s suggestion or proposal to execute a move and a follower’s response in favor of or in opposition to that suggestion. This dynamic, while applicable to many steps and counterpositions, may be best exemplified by the boleo.
Boleo is a beautiful figure, BUT… Remember a couple of things - Tango is created by two - Leader and Follower. Follower shall use the brain and know better NOT TO execute the high boleo, even if lead, in the crowded Milongas. The leader shall use his smarts to NOT TO lead it, or lead it in a way that does not pose the danger to other couples, or at least have an understanding of WHY the Follower refused the boleo
Read MoreLooking at the translation, “Por Una Cabeza” is a song that compares one’s addiction to horse racing to an addiction to women. It talks about how the man, from whom the song’s perspective is based, is constantly beleaguered by his enchantment of different women whose passing glances and momentary displays of supposed affection are enough to make him swoon and “gamble” away his love.
Read MoreArgentine Tango is an art that anyone can master, with a little practice and coordination. Whether you want to impress a partner, keep fit and dance at the same time, or just explore a fun and rewarding hobby, the tango could well be for you. Dancing the tango can even become a spiritual experience, as we explored recently in our article How the Argentine Tango Connects to Spirituality.
Read MoreDid you know that names of D'Arienzo, Di Sarli, Troilo, Pugliese, Biagi, Canaro, Calo, Donato, D'Agostino, Tanturi sound Italian for a reason. They are coming from their Italian descendants.
Latin Grammy Award winner bassist and composer Pedro Giraudo is among the most compelling tango artists today. We had the great pleasure to improvise to 3 songs in his arrangements.
Read MoreArgentine Tango isn’t a solo experience, and student dancers from greater Boston, MA area enrolled in Ultimate Tango classes for kids and teens are expected to learn while working together. The dance can be viewed as a project that cannot be completed alone, so couples need to be working together in order to turn their final dance into a reality. They’ll work alongside one another to learn the steps, to immerse in the culture, and to ultimately take part in the final dance performance. For those introverted, those who may not have siblings, those who are shy, or those who are otherwise having trouble learning how to work alongside a peer, Argentine Tango might be just what they need.
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