3225 Body position-Evolution of Tango
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 14:58:51 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Body position-Evolution of Tango
Norbert asks:
"Today I have seen people dance with their knees slightly bent,
hips forward
and upper body almost a bit laid back - very fast moving (potentially) and
energetic, but less close and less "long legs". Do you know this style?"
This is the typical embrace used by American tango and International tango
dancers.
The first time Argentine Tango arrived in Europe and North America (at the
beginning of the 20th. century) it suffered severe mutilation and adaptation
to the local culture.
Those that accepted and cultivated those changes transformed the original
Argentine Tango into what is known today as American and European
(International) styles.
Those styles are beautiful per se but are quite different from the original
tango in many ways.
Those of us that also do ballroom dancing know that these dances are done
primarily for fun. Here you step on every beat on certain set way, that
those steps are a mixture of quicks and slows, that the different dances
have a set of patterns that are divided in three levels: bronze, silver and
gold.
The man leads and the woman follows, the patterns are very well known to
both partners, there is little surprise, as soon as the man starts leading a
figure she follows, both do a symmetrical dance the mirror of each other
except during certain turns. Those that know about ten figures are
considered to be proficient. Since they use those patterns in one or two
songs they have to mix different dances to add some variety, etc.
Argentine tango is asymmetrical, the man does different foot work from the
one the woman executes.
It is improvised, it is done primarily for feeling. The woman does not know
what the man has in mind. She remains extremely attentive. The leader steps
as he wishes, faster, slower, simple or double timing, pauses, etc. Tango is
different each time, it is different with every partner therefore one can
dance only tango all night long.
The characteristics of Argentine tango were modified to conform to the other
ballroom dances, the result was the modern American and International Tango.
I find interesting to see that the same forces that acted on our tango the
first time, under the sake of innovation are now at work during this second
coming (after 1990). It is interesting that tango had a strong effect on
those foreign cultures (European and N. American) precisely because of its
characteristics, its well defined masculine and feminine roles, its romantic
appeal and seduction , its improvisation, yet...
as soon as it falls in their hands they start the same process of mutilation
and adaptation.
It is again called "evolution". So we have blurred sexual roles, women are
leading, men following and everything in between, non tango music is being
used, etc, etc, etc.or even worse Argentinean and foreign musicians that
leave abroad create all sort of noises that are losely called tango and sell
thousands of Cd,s to those anxious to change this humble criature born in
the couldrom of Argentine Society.
I have the feeling that what is happening is not and evolution but rather
the creation of something different, another tango which due to lack of
better terminology I will call "Alternative Tango".
I thinkas wel,l that most of those that participate in this "evolutive
process" never grabbed the real essence of what Argentine Tango is about.
The majority of us in the meantime are busy trying to rediscover the wealth
of our dance in all its richness of styles, the diversity of its music, the
musicians, the singers, the orchestras, the tango styles, the movies, the
theater, the leyends, the lyrics, we are happy to dance this way and get all
excited when we discovered another way to do a set step or by chance create
a new one.
Summary: Tango belongs to the whole world and every one is entitled to dance
and feel as he pleases, including myself.
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 16:23:28 +0000
From: Jay Rabe <jayrabe@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Body position-Evolution of Tango
Sergio, thank you so very much for your clear and excellent summary. I do
have one question for you however, regarding those few Argentines, that is,
not American nor European, who are on the forefront of changing/evolving
tango. Gustavo, Chicho, and Norberto Esbres specifically. Where do you see
them fitting in the historical flow that you have described?
J in Portland
www.TangoMoments.com
----Original Message Follows----
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 15:35:28 -0800
From: Iron Logic <railogic@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Body position-Evolution of Tango
...
Gustavo, Norberto danced for a while, even though they "changed" Argentine tango, you still see those qualities. Like new models of Porsche arrive, you can tell its a Porche, no matter what they do it seems.
Sorry for strong words, but Chicho, his dancing is a Monster of ugliness.
He didnt tango for too long and it shows...
like Sergio said
>>>
I thinkas wel,l that most of those that participate in this "evolutive
process" never grabbed the real essence of what Argentine Tango is
about.
>>
Jay Rabe <jayrabe@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
Sergio, thank you so very much for your clear and excellent summary. I do
have one question for you however, regarding those few Argentines, that is,
not American nor European, who are on the forefront of changing/evolving
tango. Gustavo, Chicho, and Norberto Esbres specifically. Where do you see
them fitting in the historical flow that you have described?
J in Portland
www.TangoMoments.com
----Original Message Follows----
