715  What's important in the US

Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2002 00:07:50 -0400
From: Manuel Patino <white95r@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: What's important in the US

> In Argentina the tango is danced following the music and the emotions
> that it brings; the way of standing, the embrace, the leading, the
> feeling, if you know five figures that is more than enough.

That's mostly true. Of course, I don't know how everyone in Argentina dances
tango. For all I know there are lost of folks over there who like figures
too.

> In USA the thing is figures.
>
> Not important are:
>
> Following the music.
> The embrace.
> La pinta de bailarin, (the way somebody looks dancing).
> Leading well.

I don't know about everyplace in the USA, but at least here in Atlanta (as
well as in several other places I've visited) we place the greatest value in
all the above items. We inculcate into all our students the importance of
dancing to the music, holding the woman properly (for the men) and generally
dancing with grace and fluidity. I personally detest dancers who do all
kinds of fancy figures badly and cannot even negociate the floor. We have
many good dancers in Atlanta. I've also danced with some wonderful dancers
in other parts of the USA, likewise I've observed many good dancers at
several places I've visited in the USA. I think it is an unfair and
inaccurate statement to say that all that is valued in the US are figures,
flash and trash. I like to extend my personal invitation to those of you who
do not get the best of tango in your community in the USA to vist us in
Atlanta. I think you'll get the best and most authentic of social dance
tango.

Good tangos to all,

Manuel

www.tango-rio.com