2868  True vs.Nuevo tango

Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 17:24:27 +0000
From: Sergio Vandekier <sergiovandekier990@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: True vs.Nuevo tango

The way I see this subject is as follows (others are welcome to have a
different opinion):

There is only *one* *true* Argentine tango.
It is a unique dance possessing certain characteristics that have already
well discussed in this forum.

Some of those characteristics are: total freedom to use the beat and the
melody, high communication between the partners, creation and improvisation.

This freedom, creation and improvisation naturally develops many personal
styles to dance tango.
From among the thousands of personal styles there are some more defined
currents, such as salon, milonguero and nuevo tango. This does not mean that
there are three or more different types of tango, there is one tango with an
infinite number of personal styles to dance.
They all preserve the character of the dance. They all are part of true
Argentine Tango.

Buenos Aires has many very crowded dancing halls. It is out of absolute,
unavoidable necessity that one has to accommodate to those circumstances.
This does not mean that to dance like that is the only true tango and any
other form is false.

There are times of the day early or late when more space is available, there
are certain areas in some milongas destined for other dancing forms, there
are some clubs where one can dance pure salon (open or close embrace with or
without embellishments), or nuevo tango with its intricate, surprising foot
work.

All these dancing styles including Nuevo tango, preserve the characteristics
of the dance.
Improvisation, creation, high communication with your partner, respect for
circulation codes, and they depend on the possibility of leading and
following. There is no choreography whatsoever.

The note in question says:

The New Tango is:
1) Tango that comes from the head. * Not true. It may have as much passion
and feeling as any other form.

2) Objective, leader and follower, impersonal. * Not true.

3) Athletic, physically demanding, requires training and conditioning. Not
easily learned. * It is true to some extent, the other forms require
training and conditioning as well.
The true is that it seems to attract healthy, flexible young dancers .

4) Danced on the dance floor, but like show tango, it is done primarily for
those who are watching. The partner and the music are secondary. (Show tango
is a more complicated form of new tango.) * Not true . It is generally
danced for the enjoyment of the dancing couple. It could also be attractive
enough to be used for exhibition.

5) Danced in an open position with a lot of space between the partners. It
requires a spacious dance floor and a trained partner. *it is true. The
other styles require a trained partner as well.

6) Taught by professional dancers and entertainers. In general, they are not
milonqueros and do not dance with people at clubs in Buenos Aires. They
dance mostly with each other on stage. They are classically trained in
ballet, jazz, tap and modern dance. * Not true. It has nothing to do with
stage dancing. Once a school of followers was created many new dancers
became instructors. I would call most of the people that I know dancing this
style real milongueros. They dance one or more times per week, they have
excellent musicality, coordination and connection to their partners. Tango
is their main passion.

7) Oriented toward pre-set steps, not improvisation. *Not true. It is highly
improvised. It could be choreographed for exhibition if so desired.

8) Not easily danced in a social situation. * Not true. It is danced
socially in certain clubs where this is the dancing style done.

9) Not danced by people in the salons in Buenos Aires. *Most salons in
Buenos Aires usually use Salon close embrace or milonguero. You can find
places where to dance any other style.

Summary: You should (IMO) preserve authenticity so that your dancing is not
divorced from Argentine tango to the point that it looks foreign from an
Argentine point of view but you should dance the form or style that you
prefer. They are all True tango.

If you dispose of plenty of space dance with all the acrobatics that you
wish if that makes you happy. Dance for your partner, for yourself, for both
of you and if you wish and this makes you happy, for the ones that are
looking. There is absolute freedom. Nobody owns the truth.

Do not let anyone tell you that you are not dancing real, true tango.
Crowded places require a certain technique open spaces do not. Adjust your
dancing to your circumstances not to those of others. There is nothing wrong
with being young, dancing with young people nuevo or any other style.

Have fun, all of you are going to paradise! including Jay.