In making sound decisions, one can then say that intuition is equally important as applying logic to find the best approach to a situation.
The problem is that not all people have developed their intuitive skills, or they might not be confident enough in their gut feeling to follow it.
Although there are various ways to develop one’s intuitive skills, one unconventional yet effective method is by learning the Argentine tango.
Read MoreSome will likely try to avoid the yeta of “Adios Muchachos,” but all other songs by Gardel are best enjoyed while one is sitting down so as to ride through the wave of its emotions that have stood the test of time. Even those who may not be familiar with the language can understand the profundity in Gardel’s songs, which can transport them back to an era when heartbreak, exile, homesickness, romance, and other such themes comprised the meaning of life for most porteños.
Read MoreOften, when the topic of milongas arises, the discussion might typically revolve around one’s partner or the codigos that govern proper etiquette.
However, there is one aspect of the milonga that might not always be talked about but remains a crucial factor of what actually makes this event enjoyable: the music and the DJ.
But how do they do it? What are the tricks up a tango DJ’s sleeve that they can make everyone dance all night long without them feeling tired?
Read MoreTanghost Leader Damian Esell discusses memorization, energy, and motion in Argentine tango.
Read MoreLet's say a tanguero and a tanguera are on a packed dance floor, executing the steps so flawlessly that they look so stellar and breathtaking.
However, as they move around the floor, they hit other couples as they maintain their connection and keep time with the music. Would they still be considered good dancers?
In tango, floor craft — the ability to navigate around the floor without bumping into other couples — is just as important as the dance steps.
Before the red color became so popular that it was hailed the “unofficial color” of tango, a quick look back on history reveals that there was, in fact, a tango color that was a huge craze over a hundred years ago, and it was NOT the color red, but ORANGE!
As per popular brief history the color didn’t have any connection with meanings and sentimentality. It was a mere marketing strategy utilized by a very well-known fashion designer to sell his unsold stock of orange-colored fabrics.
By naming it Tango Orange, since the Tango was becoming more and more popular, he managed to catch everyone’s attention, and his unsold stock became sold out in an instant.
Read MoreSoft, fluid, and tender — the Tango Vals is one of the three principal forms of Argentine Tango.
When we dance to it, it’s impossible to deny that it is incredibly rich and deliciously filled with subtleties that make us immediately sway to the beat. People often mistake Vals Tango as Viennese Waltz because of their similar rhythm. Yes, the Tango Vals is an evolution of the Viennese Waltz, but it uses the tertiary rhythm differently.
Read MoreArgentine tango is often compared to a conversation — and for good reason.
While tango doesn’t necessarily use any verbal language, many of its aspects and features point to a constant state of interaction.
The dance becomes the medium of exchange, and the steps represent a dialogue not only between two dancers but also between individuals and their environment.
Read MoreIf you've ever listened to Argentine tango, then you have Astor Piazzolla to thank.
He was a legendary tango composer and musician who changed the course of tango music for life.
His unique style — Tango Nuevo — introduced new elements into the genre, such as jazz and classical music. His compositions are some of the most well-known in the world and continue to be popular to this day.
Read MoreAstor Piazzolla is one of the most famous tango composers of all time, but many people still don't know who he is or why his music is so special.
To the innocent bystander, watching two people dance the Argentine tango almost feels like watching a love story unfold.
There’s the closeness of their embrace, the skillfulness with which their bodies move in sync, the passion and energy between each step, the subtle and wordless conversation between them — it is easy to assume that dance partners in tango are also life partners.
To some degree, this may be true and, in many cases, it is. After all, falling in love on the dance floor is not uncommon in tango. For some, dancing tango even becomes an avenue in which couples attempt to mend strained relationships and rekindle their partnership.
Read MoreRead MoreThose who choose the Tango and dedicate the time to learn it discover a whole new world of friendships, partnerships, and culture that goes way beyond the dance floor.
Alongside world-renowned and controversial tango legend Alejandra Mantiñan, Aoniken Quiroga is one of the tango dancers you must know — and here’s why.
Coupled with his down-to-earth personality and arresting charm, Aoniken Quiroga has definitely cemented himself as a tango dancer worthy of note.
As one of the so-called protagonists of the new tango youth in Buenos Aires, it can seem like Aoniken Quiroga’s style doesn’t entirely subscribe to the traditional way tango has been danced for decades. Then again,
Read MoreAoniken Quiroga is a tango dancer who uses dance to express joy and freedom. What he brings to the stage is his love not only for the dance but also for family and friends.
This beautiful, culturally rich metro has always been — and will always be — the tango mecca for those who want to experience this romantic, melancholic, and even life-changing dance.
As such, it’s no surprise that in Buenos Aires alone, there are hundreds of nightly milongas being hosted — some in the most popular places, while others are less well-known. Natives of Buenos Aires, being deeply rooted in the city’s tango culture, are likely familiar with the milongas that are happening in the area. However, tangueros and tangueras visiting the city for the first time might be overwhelmed or unaware of where they may find a milonga that they can enjoy.
Read MoreThose who have made the trip tend to exclaim that there’s simply nothing like the experience. This is especially true for those who have traveled all the way to Buenos Aires to study tango.
At some point, one may have come across various articles from tangueros and tangueras who have narrated their extraordinary tango experience in Buenos Aires. On the other hand, those who have yet to travel to the mecca of the dance tend to make it their objective to do so. Is it an absolute must to go to Buenos Aires to learn Argentine Tango?
Read MoreThe tango is an alluring dance that is popular all over the world because of its unique flair and cultural impact. Nevertheless, while it has a universal appeal for a global audience, it also has a personal appeal for couples.
Find out what tango psychotherapy is and what its origins and benefits are as you discover who Igor Zabuta and Emma Kologrivova are. Learn why they are qualified to help couples improve their relationships through the power of tango psychotherapy.
Read MoreThe look, the moves, and the musicality. They are exactly the perfect image of what comes to mind when you think of classic tango (or “old school tango”). A suit, a dress, sharp lines, and movements. Elegant, classy, and flashy all at the same time.
“As a part of Los Totis, it is impossible to separate Virginia from Christian as it is their partnership, coupled with their elegant aesthetic and passion for dancing, that has cemented their names in the tango world. Reaching such a status is hardly surprising as they are both students of renowned tango masters such as Toto Pedro Faraldo, Mingo and Esther Pugliese, and Jorge Raul Bravo.”
Read MorePepa is the creator and host of this ambitious documentary project that seeks to preserve tango history and the meaning of tango through well-structured videos and insightful interviews.
Read MoreAn academic paper published by the Interdisciplinary Research Institute describes how tango networking works:
“Tango Argentino networks constitute social groups which enforce a compromise of individual behavior with social interaction rules based on a general consensus among its aficionados… Its networks are characterized by their group orientation and openness: despite the fact that tango is a social dance for couples, the communities’ spirit is group-oriented… An ideal dancing event is one in which each partner had several other dancing partners. Moreover, tango communities are eager to integrate new members.”
Read MoreOne aspect of tango that is often highly debated is its authenticity. As with anything that has a long history, preserving the authenticity of any concept can be a challenge. In the case of tango, the changes typically pertain to the sensuality of the dance, which was not initially embraced by cultures outside of Buenos Aires. This was especially true in Western countries such as France, England, and the United States.
Thus, regarding its sensuality, many people believe that the only authentic tango is the one danced in “close embrace” rather than that danced with an “open embrace.”
But is this a correct assessment of tango’s so-called authenticity? Should the embrace used in tango matter?
Read MoreFor three years, Steve Darmo conducted his research on tango endings, first focusing on the steps and movements. However, he eventually realized that focusing on musicality instead of steps would lead to more fruitful discoveries. In compiling his knowledge, he took himself to task and listened to 1,700 tango songs from some of the most well-known tango orchestras of the dance’s Golden Age. These included music from revered tango maestros such as Anibal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese, Juan D’Arienzo, and many others.
As Steve Darmo explored the wide range of musicality that tango has, he was able to discover how important it is to be knowledgeable about tango orchestras to identify when a song will end, thus allowing dancers to properly time the conclusion to a song.
During his research, he classified nine common tango endings and three other uncommon endings. One can find a list of these endings along with accompanying tango music in his website Tango Endings, which also serves as supplementary material for his book.
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