2706  Milonguero Vs.Close Embrace Salon

Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 23:17:38 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Milonguero Vs.Close Embrace Salon

I will mention some of the most important differences of these two styles.

Milonguero :

Walks flat footed on two parallel lines, the feet do not brush heels as they
pass each other, rather they are allowed to be apart in order to obtain
better balance.
This form of walking may cause the movements to be less elegant.

The chests remain together throughout the dance. There is a particular
intimate contact of the chests, upwards and some times more framed in front
of each other, that is called "Apilado".

There is no shifting of the hips when executing back ochos or turns. The
hips remain framed in front of each other while the legs are crosse back for
back ochos. The front ocho is modified with a reversal of the hip motion;
(usually one points the hip forward as one crosses front), here the woman's
hip moves opposite to the motion of the left foot that locks in front of the
right one to finish the ocho. This is called "ocho cortado" or "ocho
milonguero".

The lead is from the chest.

The foot work during turns remains the same for the woman (a vine) but the
man might modify it, (small turning steps, close to each other).


Close Embrace Salon uses the typical technique of this style.

Walks landing on toes or the heels, on one line,(one foot is hidden behind
the other when observing from the front) the feet brush heels as they pass
each other.
There may be an external rotation of the foot (toes out) in order to
improve equilibrium.

The chests may come apart, just a little separation to allow for the hip
shift during ochos and turns.

Salon tango allows walking straight forward, straight backwards or to the
sides. When one wishes to walk in any other direction (diagonally for
instance) it is necessary to shift the hip. We always point the hip in the
direction where we intend to walk next. We point the feet and the hips back
to do back ochos and front to do front ochos (this requires a slight
separation of the chests)..

The lead is from the chest but also from the arms and hands. It is possible
to lead most steps from the chest but certain moves require the use of the
hands. (To lead syncopated steps to the left (of the man) or forward for the
woman as the man walks backwards, or to lead locking of one of the woman's
feet behind the other, (Traspie or Contrapaso of the woman), etc).

It is possible to play with the rhythm the same way in both styles.
A wide variety of music suits both styles.

Feeling, connection and spiritual elevation seems to be similar although
some dancers will say that it is stronger in milonguero style. (keeping the
chests together all the time may enhance those feelings).

happy tangos to you all.

Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 23:37:58 -0600
From: Bernhard Michaelis <bernhard@NATIVECHILD.COM>
Subject: Milonguero Vs.Close Embrace Salon

Sergio wrote:

> Milonguero :
>
> Walks flat footed on two parallel lines, the feet do not brush heels

as they

> pass each other, rather they are allowed to be apart in order to

obtain

> better balance.
> This form of walking may cause the movements to be less elegant.

that's a pretty accurate description of Susanna Miller dancing, no
elegance at all.
But watching Alicia Pons dancing is such a contrast and treat - there is
plenty of elegance and joyful energy. And no landing on flat feet if I'm
not mistaken (she does mark every beat though). Both are representative
of the 'Milonguero style' - i agree with your comparison of salon and
milonguero style in every other aspect, except I'm not sure about the
flat footedness...
Bernhard

Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 23:07:04 -0700
From: Michael <michael@TANGOBELLINGHAM.COM>
Subject: Re: Milonguero Vs.Close Embrace Salon

Bernhard Michaelis wrote:

> that's a pretty accurate description of Susanna Miller dancing, no
> elegance at all.

That's really rude and unnecessary. Why be insulting to someone who is
not present to defend herself?
--
Michael
Tango Bellingham
www.tangobellingham.com