3339  Probable origins of the Moilenete in Tango

Date: Tue, 5 Apr 2005 01:13:48 -0600
From: Bruno <romerob@TELUSPLANET.NET>
Subject: Probable origins of the Moilenete in Tango

A quick glance at the possible origin of molinete in the Tango Dance.

In 1906 a salon version of a dance called “el Pericon Nacional” is
introduced in the dance floors of the Buenos Aires’ upscale classes. The
“Pericon Nacional” is a folk dance from Uruguay, which was introduced in
Buenos Aires in the theatre play “Juan Moreyra” run by the Jose Podesta and
brothers. These were a well known family of artists -- stage dancers and
actors.

The Pericon was a black’s name for Ostrich, and the dance appears to
describe the movements of the ostrich.

The original version of the Pericon Nacional was/is danced by 4 people
executing among other things molinetes or chain steps. When the Pericon
Nacional was danced in 1906 by the upscale classes in Buenos Aires its
choreography was modified to make it more appropriate to the décor of their
surroundings.

It appears probable that in the continuous exchange and tryout of figures a
more refined salon version of the molinete was distilled.

Nicanor Lima in perhaps 1915 describes the molinetes as already part of the
Tango Salon repertoire of figures.

Here is a piece of the text taken from his manual on Tango Salon:

"Molinetes: Molinetes are the turns executed by a couple performed in a
fixed point describing a circumference in any of three "body positions"
either to the left or right, but always moving forwards or backwards, which
are the only way to do them.

Molinetes are classified in "serenos", or "acompasados", and never exceeding
or undermining four (4) measures of the music (two steps per measure = 8
steps per molinete)

The molinetes "serenos" are the ones performed using pasos "paseos", or with
"cruce de pies" (cross steps). The molinetes

"acompasados" are the ones performed with "movimientos de saltitos" or
"saltitos" (quick jumpy step(s) done within the timing of the
music)..........................."
=
For sample of the Pericon Nacional music:

https://www.enlacesuruguayos.com/Pericon.htm

Best regards,

Bruno