2974 Red-Blue Tango (and politics) in the US
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 12:50:31 -0700
From: Tom Stermitz <stermitz@TANGO.ORG>
Subject: Red-Blue Tango (and politics) in the US
The New York Times had a nice map illustrating US voting patterns in
the recent elections, demonstrating that Urban areas voted 60-75% for
the Democrats and rural areas voted the opposite.
I've posted a copy of this map to:
- https://www.tango.org/RedBlue.gif
The map shows voting by population density (rather than by land-area).
It is very pretty, showing veins of dark blue following
densely-populated urban areas and wider areas of pink or red in
low-population rural areas.
US rural areas are more ethnically homogeneous: white, protestant,
traditional (there is a little more racial diversity in portions of the
Southwest and Southeast), while Urban areas are much more diverse
culturally, with a lot more immigrants, and more racial diversity.
Red Blue Tango?
There are a few exceptions, but major tango communities in the US are
almost completely correlated with the dark blue portions of the map,
cities and university towns.
This probably comes as no surprise, as tango dancers tend to be
younger, more intellectual, better traveled, and less insular than the
average N. American. Not to mention the fact that the close embrace
might offend those who are very traditional or religious.
Please note that you can subscribe to the New York Times for free. You
can efficiently read the on-line edition, selecting the articles you
are interested in:
- https://www.nytimes.com
Tom Stermitz
https://www.tango.org
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 12:58:35 -0800
From: Jon Leech <nospam@ODDHACK.ENGR.SGI.COM>
Subject: Re: Red-Blue Tango (and politics) in the US
On Wed, Nov 10, 2004 at 12:50:31PM -0700, Tom Stermitz wrote:
> Red Blue Tango?
>
> There are a few exceptions, but major tango communities in the US are
> almost completely correlated with the dark blue portions of the map,
> cities and university towns.
Thus the (not politically loaded) conclusion that dance communities
are most sustainable in areas of high population density.
BTW, the median age of Americans was 35.3 in the 2000 census. The
only partner dance I've seen whose median age is clearly lower than
mid-30s is Lindy Hop.
Jon
__@/
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:58:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: steve pastor <tang0man2005@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Tango-L] Blue Tango
To: tango-L@mit.edu
Follow the wavy line of connected facts...
I am still investigating the origins of West Coast Swing.
There is a tune, "Sophisticated Swing" that some believe refers to this style of swing dance in the late 1930s. Most people, including me, don't think so.
Mitchell Parish wrote lyrics to this song in 1937, according to one web site (most versions seem to be instrumentals).
Parish is also credited on that site with writing lyrics to "Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson.
"Blue Tango" can be sampled on iTunes. And, here maybe, is the best part.
This tune was covered by Liberace!
If you lived in the states back in the 50s or 60s, you will probably recognize it immediately.
Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:38:37 -0400
From: Martin Waxman <martin@waxman.net>
Subject: Re: [Tango-L] Blue Tango
To: steve pastor <tang0man2005@yahoo.com>, tango-L@mit.edu
At 03:58 PM 7/31/2006, steve pastor wrote:
>Follow the wavy line of connected facts...
> I am still investigating the origins of West Coast Swing.
Here's what I've heard:
During World War II, Hollywood cameras had trouble following some
Lindy dancers during a film production.
Someone thought up dancing in a slot (back and forth) that made it
easier for the cameras to follow.
Marty
Whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 3:58:30 PM
Subject: [Tango-L] Blue Tango
Follow the wavy line of connected facts...
I am still investigating the origins of West Coast Swing.
There is a tune, "Sophisticated Swing" that some believe refers to this style of swing dance in the late 1930s. Most people, including me, don't think so.
Mitchell Parish wrote lyrics to this song in 1937, according to one web site (most versions seem to be instrumentals).
Parish is also credited on that site with writing lyrics to "Blue Tango" by Leroy Anderson.
"Blue Tango" can be sampled on iTunes. And, here maybe, is the best part.
This tune was covered by Liberace!
If you lived in the states back in the 50s or 60s, you will probably recognize it immediately.
