ARGENTINE TANGO
Journey into the soul-stirring universe of Tango – a dance that transcends the boundaries of time & space, creating an immersive experience that resonates with emotion, rhythm & urban allure. Within the enigmatic embrace of Tango lies a profound narrative, a mysterious tale of nostalgia, joy & an ever present awareness of the fleeting nature of life. It's an intoxicating blend of pleasure, humour, respect & poetry, seducing hearts with its allure & leaving an indelible mark on those who dare to tread its rhythmic path.
Origins obscured in the fog of myth, Tango emerged from the vibrant cities of Buenos Aires & Montevideo in the late 19th century. Its rhythm, a confluence of African & European influences, took shape with the introduction of the "bandoneon," a musical catalyst that fueled the birth of a cultural phenomenon.
Tango's global odyssey began in the early 20th century when musicians & dancers carried its enchantment to Europe, igniting a sensational wave of popularity. The "Golden Era" in Buenos Aires witnessed a proliferation of tango bands, amplifying its reach & solidifying its place as a cultural treasure. Argentine Tango, at its core, is an improvised dance, a dance like no other. It is a puzzle, a dynamic interplay of changes in weight, walking, turning, stopping & embellishments. The dance becomes a canvas, painted differently each time, as individuals infuse their unique styles & expressions into the choreography of dance.
Tango Salon (Tango Pista):
Tango Pista, often referred to as Salon Tango, is primarily danced in social settings like ballrooms, tango clubs & milongas. It thrives in environments where improvisation & connection take precedence. Tango Pista is distinguished by a close embrace between dance partners. This close connection fosters communication & allows for subtle lead-&-follow dynamics. Movements in Tango Pista are typically compact & well-suited for navigating crowded dance floors. Steps are deliberate, emphasising precision & elegance.
Dancers in Tango Pista focus on interpreting the music. The dance often includes pauses, syncopated steps & an intricate interplay between the dancers & the rhythm of the music. One of the key features of Tango Pista is its improvisational nature. Unlike choreographed performances, dancers improvise their steps, responding to the music & each other in real-time.
The style places a strong emphasis on elegance, with dancers aiming to create a visually appealing & refined expression of the dance. This includes precise footwork, graceful turns & a harmonious connection between partners. Tango Pista relies heavily on the lead-&-follow dynamic. The leader communicates subtle cues through body movements & embraces, while the follower responds with precision & sensitivity.
The close embrace fosters a strong connection between dance partners, creating an intimate & nuanced dance experience. The connection is not only physical but also involves a deep understanding of each other's movements & intentions. Tango Pista is a social dance where dancers gather at a milonga to enjoy & participate in the dance. These social events are organised into tanda’s.
In tango, a "tanda" refers to a set of typically four songs played in a sequence, intended to be danced with the same partner. This structure is designed to maintain a consistent mood & rhythm, as the songs within a tanda are usually by the same orchestra or have a similar style. Between tandas, a "cortina" (meaning "curtain" in Spanish) is played. This short piece of non-tango music, lasting about 30-60 seconds, signals the end of one tanda & provides dancers with a brief break to change partners or rest. It's customary to dance an entire tanda with the same partner. Dancers typically use the cortina to find & invite a new partner. The "cabeceo," a nod of the head, is a traditional way to invite someone to dance, allowing both parties to agree without verbal communication.
Tanda’s are grouped to create a specific musical & emotional journey. They might feature different tango styles, such as traditional tango, milonga or vals & can vary from slow & romantic to fast & playful. This grouping enhances the social dance experience, promoting a smoother flow of partners & a richer musical journey at milongas (social tango dance events).
Dancing an entire tanda with a partner is seen as a sign of respect, allowing both dancers to connect more deeply with each other & the music. Leaving the floor in the middle of a tanda is generally discouraged unless necessary. Understanding & respecting the structure of tanda’s enriches the overall tango experience, fostering a sense of community & continuity on the dance floor.
Stage Tango (Tango Escenario):
Stage Tango is a choreographed & theatrical form of Argentine Tango specifically designed for performances on stages or in theatrical settings. It departs from the improvisational nature of social tango, focusing on creating a visually stunning & emotionally charged spectacle for the audience. Stage Tango involves meticulously planned & rehearsed choreography. Dancers work together to create a performance that tells a story, conveys emotions or explores a theme.
Unlike the compact movements of Tango Pista, Stage Tango incorporates more expansive & dynamic movements. Dancers may execute lifts, spins & dramatic poses to impress the audience. The style emphasises visual flair & dancers may use elaborate costumes to enhance the theatricality of the performance. Costumes are often designed to complement the theme or story being portrayed.
While traditional tango embraces are typically close, Stage Tango allows for variations in embrace to suit the choreography. This flexibility enhances the visual impact of the performance. Stage Tango often involves storytelling or thematic exploration. Dancers convey narratives through their movements, expressions & interactions, creating a more theatrical & emotionally charged experience. Dancers in Stage Tango, express intense emotions, creating a sense of drama & passion. The goal is to evoke strong reactions from the audience & convey a deeper connection beyond the technical aspects of the dance.
In Stage Tango, the roles of the lead & follower are even more crucial, as they must work in perfect harmony to expand the steps & deliver a dynamic, visually captivating performance. The lead must guide with clarity & precision, ensuring the follower can respond swiftly & confidently, enabling complex movements & intricate choreography to flow seamlessly. The follower, on the other hand, must be equally attuned to the lead, responding to cues with precision, flexibility, & an understanding of the larger stage context. Stage Tango may incorporate theatrical elements such as lighting, set design, & music choices to enhance the overall impact of the performance. Precision is paramount in Stage Tango. Dancers must execute choreography with impeccable timing & coordination to deliver a polished & professional performance.
Tango Waltz (Vals):
Tango Waltz is danced to music, characterised by a 3/4 time signature. The rhythm is distinctly different from the traditional 4/4 or 2/4 time signature associated with many tango styles. Tango Waltz blends the essence of tango with the flowing & elegant movements associated with the waltz. Dancers seamlessly incorporate tango elements into the waltz structure. The embrace in Tango Waltz can vary, but it often includes both open & close embraces. The choice of embrace depends on the style & interpretation of the dance. Dancers in Tango Waltz aim for flowing & graceful movements. The dance incorporates sweeps, turns & glides, combining the rhythmic patterns of tango with the smoothness of the waltz.
One of the defining characteristics of Tango Waltz is its roundness, which refers to the graceful, circular motion that the dance embodies. This roundness is achieved through the seamless flow of the dancers’ movements, creating an elegant arc that captures the essence of both tango & waltz. The circular nature of the dance is most evident in the sweeping turns & fluid transitions, where the dancers glide through space, maintaining a smooth, consistent rhythm. The roundness in Tango Waltz is not just about the physical shape of the movements but also about the emotional connection between the lead & the follower. As they move together in this circular pattern, they create a sense of unity & harmony. The movements are continuous, with each step flowing naturally into the next, allowing the dancers to navigate the floor in a way that feels effortless & organic.
In contrast to the sharp angles often seen in traditional tango, the roundness in Tango Waltz offers a softer, more flowing dynamic. The partnership is crucial in maintaining this smooth, rounded movement, as both dancers work together to guide each other through the circular patterns. The lead ensures the direction & flow, while the follower responds with a sense of fluidity & grace, maintaining the roundness throughout. This roundness also contributes to the visual appeal of the dance. The circular movements create a sense of elegance & continuity, making the dance feel like a seamless journey rather than a series of isolated steps. The dynamic variation in speed, intensity, & footwork only enhances this circular motion, adding depth & complexity to the overall performance. It’s the perfect balance between smooth, continuous flow & the intricate, purposeful details that define the beauty of Tango Waltz.
Milonga Dance:
Milonga refers to both a dance style & a social event where this dance form is celebrated. It is typically danced in social gatherings dedicated to faster-paced tango-related music. Milonga music is a faster tempo compared to traditional tango. The dance reflects this quicker pace, creating a lively & energetic atmosphere. Milonga involves quick & playful footwork. Dancers execute rapid steps, syncopated patterns, & playful embellishments, contributing to the dynamic nature of the dance.
While maintaining the essence of connection found in other tango styles, Milonga often features a lighter & more playful connection between dance partners. The emphasis is on spontaneity & enjoyment. Milonga embraces a lively & rhythmic quality. Dancers respond to the playful beats & variations in the music, creating a dance that is both exciting & unpredictable.
Milonga also invites flexibility in the embrace. While it often maintains a close embrace, there are moments when dancers may transition to an open embrace, providing freedom of movement & adaptability. This flexibility is part of what makes milonga such a fun & energetic dance form, its unpredictability mirrors the upbeat nature of the music.
Two key styles within milonga add depth to its expression: Milonga Lisa & Traspie.
Milonga Lisa is a smoother, more flowing version of the dance, with movements that tend to be more continuous & less sharp. It emphasises a fluid connection between the dancers & allows for a more relaxed interpretation of the music. In this style, dancers often glide across the floor, maintaining a smooth flow despite the fast pace of the music.
Traspie brings a burst of rhythm into the mix. The term “traspie” refers to a syncopated step that creates a staccato effect within the dance. Dancers incorporate sharp, quick movements & unexpected pauses, adding an element of surprise & excitement. This style requires precision & timing, & it plays off the rhythm of the music, providing a sense of contrast with the smoother movements of milonga lisa. The result is a playful, rhythmic texture that adds further layers to the dance.
Together, these variations of milonga—whether fluid or sharp—allow dancers to express their creativity through footwork, body movements, & improvisation, offering an exciting & unpredictable experience that mirrors the lively energy of the music.