[Tango-L] Lo de Laura

Jan's post about "Lo de Laura" is recommended reading for historical trivia and helps explain one of several reasons why men danced together. These clubs were not the places where respectable women were seen, nor was the dance considered respectable, so men had to practice with each other be

[Tango-L] En lo de Laura

I just want to clarify a point that I was reminded about. My post may been misleading. Some people have the misconception that men used to danced together. No, men never danced together, especially not in public...but they did practice together for the reasons already stated. It was more of a d

[Tango-L] 8-count (ho-hum) basic

The argument about the value of the 8-count basic step is pretty amusing and comes up perennially on the list, but I think many (especially relative beginners) are missing the point. Tango is an improvisational dance which uses certain basic steps as a foundation. Most of the time it is the 8-co

Re: [Tango-L] beginners and milonga

Doug wrote: <<>>> Sounds good for a practica...maybe, not a social dance. Traditionally, tango is taught first in its basic form, then as waltz, then milonga because they are progressively more difficult and variations on tango, not the other way around (if taught correctly). The basic

[Tango-L] Some get it, some don't.

<<>> Some people are dancers and some are not...some hear music and some don't. We don't have control over that, but some people take a long time to get it so you can't always predict how they might turn out. If someone really wants to continue, you should encourage them, they could be late b

[Tango-L] bad nuevo tango

David Thorn wrote in reply to Chris: <<  But it is entirely another thing to state baldly that Nuevo is per se bad dancing.  Don't you think that the ground rules of the milonga, the floor conditions, and the abilities of the dancers might have some impact? >> Actually, I agree completely with

[Tango-L] bad nuevo

Aron wrote: <<>> Yes, but in the case of many nuevo dancers, they actually are bad. Their extensions and articulations are poor, they don't collect their feet between steps, their posture is bad, they bounce when they dance, they watch the floor too much, and they usually pay little attenti

Re: [Tango-L] bad, wrong, Nuevo

Tangopeer wrote: <<>> Yes, it is part osmosis but an even simpler answer can be found on the calendar page, newyorktango.com...we have twenty-six milongas and/or practicas this week alone. Most of us here can dance every night if we want to, and many of us do. The best way to improve your d

Re: [Tango-L] Pointers Please

Andy wrote: <<>> If you are talking about the leader, that is not true on either count. I can change weight without the follower feeling it or being led to do the same (I often do) and I can also do a subtle lead without it being seen and I am definitely not a beginner. I know others that al

[Tango-L] weight change

dubravko wrote: <>> That can be done through the upper body without the leader actually changing weight in his steps, but is still led. When I dance milonga, sometimes I will lead the woman to do four small steps for every two of mine. Charles ** It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms

Re: [Tango-L] Argentine Tango Dancer Census

re the census figures(?) If passionate is going out once or twice a week, how do you classify many of us here in NYC? Many of us dance an average 4-5 times a week and some almost every night, a few every night. Also your figure of 200 people in NYC that are passionate makes us smile. We somet

[Tango-L] Arg. Tango and Ballroom tango

Many of the descriptions of the differences between the two dances are correct (although some of the more spiritual reasons can be argued on both sides) but there is one very real technical and physical difference in the actual execution. Danel and other teachers over the years others have expl

[Tango-L] tango ni brothels

Tango in brothels is not a cliche or myth, it is true. You can read about this in many places. The world of mostly male, early Buenos Aires was a very different world until enough women eventually came to balance it out. In the beginning the brothel was about the only place to find a woman,

[Tango-L] What tango is and what it is not

Ron wrote: <<< I started ballroom dance about 3 years before I was exposed to (Argentine) [redundant adjective] tango.>>> There is nothing redundant about the adjective (unless you live in Argentina, or Montevideo perhaps) since many people here (the U.S.) only associate tango with the ballroo

Re: [Tango-L] tall men in close embrace

Even with all the suggestions on adjusting the body to adapt to smaller or taller people, sometimes the reality is that the difference is too great. I am 6 ft. tall and can dance with most followers, but there are some women who are too short to comfortably dance close embrace with. It has

Re: [Tango-L] Fwd: NYTimes.com: Argentine Nights

No need to rush to read the article for dancing reasons. It actually has very little to say about tango. It is mostly about the new wave of people moving there. But it has some tips about other aspects of life there. Charles ** It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms, and advice on AO

Re: [Tango-L] There is only tango...

David Thorn wrote: <<>> First a question. As a scientist, are you basing your response solely on Meredith's comments or from your own research in Buenos Aires? Ron was not pushing any personal agenda here. Sounds more like a lack of knowledge of the tango scene there from Meredith, or at best a

Re: [Tango-L] Bad Dog

Valerie wrote: <<>> I have been dancing a long time and there are certain women I will not dance with, even though I may have danced with them before, but the reasons can vary.  Sometimes it's skill, but sometimes it's attitude. Some women I never dance with again because they never seem to

[Tango-L] The subject that never dies.

Nancy wrote: <<< Eight-count, six-count or whatever was around many years before the Dinzels, whether open- or close-embrace. They have little, if anything, to do with that, nor does Daniel Trenner. Besides, Danel and Maria were teaching it while touring with "Tango Argentino" as thei

[Tango-L] Ball first? Heel first?

First a correction. It is not the toe, but the ball of the foot that you are stepping on, as opposed to the heel and second, yes, it is more difficult to step on the ball at first, but it is also much smoother, more elegant and it keeps your weight over the ball which maintains your vertical

Re: [Tango-L]  Heel First?

re Javier and Andrea video: Yes, he does walk heel first in a straight line, but I don't think it looks very nice, and it seems more like a stylistic flourish since most of the other steps are on the ball first - the side steps and others, especially in the turns, which only illustrates my poin

Re: [Tango-L] Heel First?

Tang0man wrote: <>> It is also the problem. There is too much information and it is not about dancing and doesn't address the point brought up a

Re: [Tango-L] The subject that never dies.

Floyd wrote: <<<>> Although the cross is one of the rare "automatic" steps in that it doesn't have to be led (although it is taught that way at the beginning), it can have a very subtle lead, but it is important to remember you can easily lead the woman to not cross, if desired. The basic mi

[Tango-L] Tango-L]  Ecstasis and Control

sopelote wrote: <<>> ..by dancing to non-tango music? ...maybe half an experience would be more correct. ** Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15&; ncid=aolhom000301) __

Re: [Tango-L] ..where did the balance go?

Tangopeer wrote: Gee, such a gentleman. Followers love to be corrected and made to feel uncomfortable, especially in the middle of the dance floor. If you are really a better dancer (and that might be questionable here) your job is to make her feel like she just had a beautiful d

Re: [Tango-L] subjects that never etc.

Robin wrote: <<<>>> I see the draping left arm with the elbow up often in NYC these days. Some of the women I have danced with do it...mostly the younger dancers. It looks a little awkward and mannered to me. Don't see the low arm though. I just see them as another stylistic glitch. They co

[Tango-L] Too many videos spoil the dance.

sopelote wrote (among other things): <<>> Talk about a subject that won't die, or better yet, advice that is never heeded. It is a very serious mistake to attempt to learn tango from videos unless you are already a VERY advanced dancer. Many beginners continue to do this and continue to w

[Tango-L] foot in mouth disease

dubravko wrote: <<<>>> Actually maybe not posting and just reading for a while would be better for Mario. Perhaps a good lesson for him and the other who was recently kicked off the list. Those of us on the list for a long time have heard these same arguments and opinions repeated ad nause

Re: [Tango-L] Walking to the cross

    railogic wrote: <<>> I lead it and sometimes I don't lead it, so I am from both camps, but one way of preventing the follower from crossing is fairly simple and does not have to involve the upper body at all. I use my left foot to touch and slightly displace her left so that it cannot cros

Re: [Tango-L] Why doesn't this happen in BA?

Alexis wrote, Deby Novitz wrote: >   The behavior comes from the respect of the codes. > <<<>> This seems like a semantical and intellectual argument that you are parsing for the sake of having your say because it doesn't really discredit what she is saying. The milongueros do respect these

[Tango-L] Media lunas (edible) at 5:00 AM

Greetings, Just got back from Buenos Aires and still going through withdrawal. Just a few observations because of length restrictions on the list. Some milongas are experiencing a change in the type of dancers that frequent them, meaning the ratio of tourists to locals, and by consequence the

[Tango-L] tango in a nutshell

sopelote wrote: <<<>>> First there is no such thing as viejo tango...those are your words. People, especially newcomers on this list, are already confused about names of dance styles, so let's not create yet another category...second, it is true of any style of dance that is open and expansive

Re: [Tango-L] speak up if you are...

Trini wrote: - Does someone's repeated actions create an unhealthy learning environment for beginners? - Does it show disrespect for beginners or my invited guests? Disruptive behavior should not be encouraged in any form so I agree with you about this. Maybe we need milongas based on attit

[Tango-L] Transportation tip-Bs. As.

A travel tip for those heading off to Buenos Aires. If you have been before, you may be aware of this. It is often recommended that you go into the city with the "official" service at the Taxiezeiza counter at the airport, for several reasons, one being security, another that you won't be o

[Tango-L] milonga sequence

Richard wrote: Here is a clip from the Argentine film "La voz de mi ciudad" with Mariano Mores and orquesta playing Taquito Militar. There is a seven second dance sequence at 2:53 which is performed in such a different way. Can anyone explain it? Is it merely a film choreography of no great hist

Re: [Tango-L] Community building

Stephen wrote: <<>> We have had this same problem in NYC for many years but in spite of the diluted scene, the tango community has grown to fill in the spaces somewhat. We now have many milongas every week and new workshops on almost a weekly basis and some for extended stays...but we also ah

Re: [Tango-L] how to lead (was 'weight change')

On Tue Apr 29  2:23 , Alexis Cousein  sent: >If (or I should say when) the frame is really locked, it is impossible >for you to do a weight change and for your partner to do none; Although we don't agree on everything ;-), I agree with Keith on this one. It is not impossible at all to change

Re: [Tango-L] how to lead (was 'weight change')

Alexei wrote: <<>> <<>> That is something of an arrogant stance to assume that you are using language correctly and everyone else is misinterpreting it. Your choice of words leaves many things open to interpretation. Nobody is dragging you into the fray. We are only questioning what you m

[Tango-L] Tango Books

I picked up a number of new and used tango books and magazines when I was in Buenos Aires. I am almost finished a new one about Carlos Gavito which appears to be part or the beginning of a series called "Voces En La Milonga" (Voices in the Milonga). Gavito was sometimes a polarizing figure on

Re: [Tango-L]  how many tangos?

I responded privately but the recipient (Mario) thought it worthy of posting so... > Who knows? The earliest ones date from the turn of the 20th cent. but many > were rearranged and re-recorded many times.  We also don't hear all the > mediocre ones that never became hits, or the bad versions

Re: [Tango-L] Qualifying

Jake wrote to Joe: > Gosh -- do all the qualified instructors really know this one? >   According to me, yes. These are MY minimum qualifications, as I specified. Jake<<< Joe, No they don't and it sounds pretty arbitrary to me and I have taught at two different schools here in NYC, taught privat

Re: [Tango-L] Questions about couples' milongas.

ming_mar asked: <> First, Sunderland is not just for couples but it might depend on the night you went, but the answer is yes to all the questions, and they go back to their seats, whether in Sunderland, Sin Rumbo or other milongas. Argentines do not start dancing to the first note of music b

[Tango-L] Media lunas (edible) at 5:00 AM

I received a request for contact information for El Chino from someone (Christine) heading to Bs. As. but accidentally deleted it...my sincere apologies. Would you please send it again? Thanks, Charles ** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites a

[Tango-L] Tango trivia: Robert Rauschenberg and La Boca

The American artist Robert Rauschenberg died Monday. He was multifaceted and worked in many media, including photography, using his own photographs in his work, which ranged from set designs for contemporary dance to paintings and prints. He was not known for dancing tango but he obviously vis

[Tango-L] Abel Bedrune

Does anyone know about the composer and orchestra leader, Abel Bedrune (1904-67)? What was his music like? etc? Any recordings? cheers, Charles ** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=ao

[Tango-L] Tango history

For those who are interested and/or curious, I have just finished the first of a four-part series on the history of Tango for the internet ezine "Smooth Moves" which can be accessed at: oakebooks.com/ezine/index.php The first part, which is now available, covers the period from the later part

[Tango-L] url for tango history

For those interested in the tango history article, try this url. My apologies, I didn't include the complete address in my first posting. You will have to log in but it is free. www.oakebooks.com/ezines/index.php Good luck, Charles ** Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Au

[Tango-L] Barridas, sweeps, drags, etc

re the barrida as "adornment" (?) Sorry Michael but I disagree about the barrida. The barrida (sweep, like a broom, in Spanish, or loosely, slide or drag) is definitely led, and does involve actually moving the follower's foot, but as with some other steps in tango, it is often taught incorre

[Tango-L] Barridas, etc

Sorry, I left out that the video shows the second type of barrida I mentioned in my post, except for the illusion of her leading. This one is led from the torso by leading her to step on the back foot freeing up the front one to be moved, but even here you can see him step slightly past her,

Re: [Tango-L] Tango Pedantics

Vince Wrote; > So Ron, when you aspire to do Argentine Tango you mean Tango de Salon as it > applies now in BA or as it was 60 years ago? Actually the tango de salon that is danced today is pretty much the same as it was then anyway. Tango de salon never went away nor really changed that much

Re: [Tango-L] Tango Pedantics

In a message dated 11/25/08 9:40:23 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Having said that, I often wonder whether it's possible to truly understand > Tango without being Argentine. But we can always try. > It is possible, but it presupposes a respect for the tradition, culture, and history of the d

Re: [Tango-L] Tango Pedantics

David wrote: "Is this how we should all look?  Hunched over with bent legs?  I'm not intending any disrespect, because, as you all probably know, I am one of those "nearly anything goes dancers."  But I do imagine that a number of regular posters to this list would find much to criticize about

Re: [Tango-L] How tango evolves

Lois Wrote: "Well, I am currently in Buenos Aires, and am seeing more and more "tango" performances in the milonga that have less and less Argentine tango in them, and more "Dancing with the Stars"." Are you referring to the general style of the dancing at the milonga or just the performance

Re: [Tango-L] How tango evolves

In a message dated 11/28/08 3:39:39 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: >  I've had the chance to observe closely (among > others) Fabian Salas and "Chicho" Frumboli when they are dancing > socially.  On tight dance floors they commit none of the "nuevo crimes" > ascribed to them.  And if they do show

Re: [Tango-L] Cafe Hanson found..

David, There is not a lot of information about Cafe Hansen because it was demolished in 1912 but it was evidently one of the hangouts of the renowned El Cachafaz. Supposedly there was a contest there between Cachafaz and his reputed black rival, another famous dancer of the era, El Negro Sant

[Tango-L] re Spanish

It depends on how they differentiate between them. All Spanish speakers understand each other but the original Spanish of the conquistadors evolved isolated from Europe and doesn't sound like Spain anymore, sort of like American English and British English. There are even further distincti

Re: [Tango-L] shocking - Miracle shirts

J wrote: http://jobs.aol.com/gallery/growing-job-industries?ncid=emlcntuscare0002) ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l

Re: [Tango-L] First trip to Bs. As.

re Michael's experience in Buenos Aires, a couple of observations, and a reality check. Over the years I have heard horror stories from people, both men and women, that went down and didn't dance even one dance with the locals, and sometimes none at all (!) for two weeks. Although the men the

[Tango-L] First trip to Buenos Aires

re Michael's experience in Bs. As.: With all due respect, MIchael, I think this is another one of those reality checks.This might be a good time to reevaluate your dancing skills. In fact, this is a perfect time while you are there. Find some good teachers, take classes and try to fix

[Tango-L] "Creative Possibilities"

"Bad navigation and disrespect for the floor are not the exclusive domain of those who choose to add the creative possibilities of nuevo into their dance." Not the exclusive domain, no, but definitely a characteristic. Most nuevo dancers seem unaware of the rest of the room. Adding the so cal

[Tango-L] Hubris and tango

I find it amazing that someone would go to Argentina with such a culturally arrogant attitude that instead of using the experience to put their own dancing in perspective or try to learn something about the dance, its history, its social milieu, they denigrate or criticize the state of dancing t

Re: [Tango-L] Off the Beat

Do you practice walking very much or do you just teach steps? My students always warm up by walking to the music, alone, not with each other, no matter how advanced they are. It is difficult to hear music for some people but that is one of the best ways to help instill that into their bodie

Re: [Tango-L] The demise of Tango

Ron, Very well said. I recently moved to the midwest from New York City and nuevo seems to proliferate more here (it was also becoming common there too), although many "seem" to profess an interest in classic tango, and I have seen a number of people dancing tango de salon, but even then it

[Tango-L] Frankie Manning, r.i.p.

No, this isn't about tango but about a great dancer nonetheless. For many of us "older" tango dancers, swing was our first dance. My first tango teaching job was at Sandra Cameron Dance Center where there were a number of pictures of Frankie Manning, one of the greatest swing dancers ever, L

Re: [Tango-L] Milonga music mix

<> It also appears to be even simpler arithmetic based on the actual number of the different types of songs that exist, and not any cultural or social decree. Although I don't have any statistical information from the recording industry (perhaps the archives of EMI or RCA Victor would), the n

Re: [Tango-L] Lots of questions

I don't know your dancing level, but if you are a beginning dancer, these are not things that you should be concerned about. Tango is difficult and takes time and practice to just get a good foundation. That takes enough concentration and effort to keep you busy without worrying about whether yo

Re: [Tango-L] Tango connection

Jack, First, we don't disagree at all about the importance of the connection. Feeling a connection is one of the rewards that comes from improving and perfecting your dancing. Second, plenty of people claim that they can teach connection and always have...that doesn't mean they can. You ma

[Tango-L] Fame and photos

Lois Donnay wrote: < As I prepare to go in for my photo shoot today, I am reminded of the time I brought Susana Miller here for a weekend of workshops. In order to create a brochure, I asked her to send me a photo. She said she didn't have one. I thought that surprising coming from one of the best

Re: [Tango-L] Fame and photos

Trini wrote: True, but some do know how to teach. She may have figured out how to teach it well but she never learned to dance it well. I prefer to take workshops with someone I consider a beautiful dancer. Admittedly many dancers are not good teachers, but more importantly, students tend

Re: [Tango-L] traditional tango music

Kushi_bushi wrote: Probably, but there might be a few others. You are not totally alone, but all of you should stay home. They are probably doing it to make you leave. I would. And I love cats. It sounds like a conspiracy against you. Are you sure it is tango you want to learn? Cheers

[Tango-L] Traditional tango music

To kushi_bushi: Before you get into a long explanation defending your comments or bemoaning how we misunderstood you, think about what you wrote. "after another miserable practica"..."am I the only person on earth"..."much of the traditional tango music, whiney and uninspiring"..."spending mos

[Tango-L] oops, correction

In my last post I mistyped "Many people in states..." I meant "Many people in the States..." Sorry. Charles ** See what's new at http://www.aol.com ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/m

[Tango-L] taxi dancers

Just another perspective on this: Victor wrote: Yes, and there have been horror stories of spending two weeks in BA without dancing at all by some people. It isn't just that they don't dance with tourists or people they don't know; it's more a question of waiting to see if you really know

[Tango-L] taxi dancers

My apologies, I just noticed that part of the quoted phrase was deleted from my posting. The phrase was "... it its really difficult to get dances initially in BsAs...typically if you are not well known by the local dancers." Charles ** See what's new a

[Tango-L] Taxi Dancing

As one who has been approached about being a taxi dancer, I will add my two cents. First, I don't think it is an issue about experience relative to cost, so setting up a price structure is not the way to go. I don't think anyone should hire themselves out as a taxi dancer unless they are ve

Re: [Tango-L] smart tango consumers

An excellent post! Heather wrote: Although she is talking about the so-called "musicality" classes that are such a big waste of time when it comes to dancing better, (and I say this as a musician as well as a dancer) it applies as well to all the intellectualization of steps on this list ..

Re: [Tango-L] smart tango consumers

Brick writes: Not really. As someone who knows several languages, I think there is a big difference between learning a language, its vocabulary, its rules, etc. and actually speaking it fluidly, especially without an accent. That comes from practicing the speaking. If anything, speaking and

[Tango-L] tango videos

Greetings, Could someone re-post the videos, either to the list or to me directly at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I accidently deleted them with my errant thumb, and the addresses I got from the other posts had errors (?) in them. Many thanks, Charles ** See what'

[Tango-L] Tete, Originator of Close Embrace?

MIles wrote: Someone is seriously misinformed. This is absolutely false. There is no one originator. It is a by-product of the milongas over the years. Close embrace has been around for many years, long before Tete. And with all due respect for his contributions, Daniel Trenner is not the mos

[Tango-L] In the land of the blind, the one-eyed..etc.

Igor wrote: What I wrote about Tete not originating close embrace is a simple fact, not an opinion. You will learn as you hopefully gain more experience and perspective that many milongueros (even the admired ones who genuinely dance very well) have a tendency to fabricate their place in ta

[Tango-L] No Subject

Dan wrote; >>     I a sense of absurdity overwhelms me regarding the  'Truth & Truthiness' dialogue that has caught so much attention of late.  I've been dancing tango for nearly 10  years and a subscriber to Tango-L  for about the same time and have yet to see such inane, pedantic, nit pick

[Tango-L] Firpo waltzes

** Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop000301) ___ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango

[Tango-L] Firpo Waltzes

I recently lost one of my favorite CDs I picked up in Bs. As., "Roberto Firpo y su cuarteto, Tangos y Valsecitos" on the Reliquias series from EMI/DBN. One side is tangos, the other is all waltzes. They are some of the most beautiful tango waltzes ever recorded (I have never heard them played in

[Tango-L] re Firpo CDs

Many thanks to those who responded to my request for the Firpo CD. I not only found it but also a CD of early D'Arienzo with nine (!) waltzes as well. BTW the Firpo CD is great for dancing waltz because half of them are fairly slow waltzes played by a quartet with strong rhythmic meter. Che

[Tango-L] No Subject

For Jeff G. re request for wedding music. Rodolfo Biagi has some great waltzes, "Loca de Amor" as well as Ricardo Tanturi, "Mi Romance" or "Recuerdo" and there are countless others but but you can't beat one of the most beautiful waltzes anywhere in the world, which happens to be a tango waltz

[Tango-L] musicality

Sherrie wrote: Sherrie brings up a very good point about the flow of music. Having three or more similar songs from a particular artistic style such as D'Arienzo or Canaro, or at least mixed songs that have a similar tempo or cadence helps create a consistent mood and can help one f

[Tango-L] Tango Books

A few suggestions for historical/cultural tango books: Tango! by Simon Collier, Artemis Cooper, Maria Susanna Azzi and Richard Martin. A nice coffee-table book with lots of pictures, in four parts, one by each author. Published by Thames and Hudson, NY. It is still in print (paperback). Tango,

[Tango-L] Spanish tango books

As per some requests, here is a list of a few books in Spanish about tango that I bought in Buenos Aires and others that I got here along with my own personal comments. I don't know where to find these now, other than checking on the internet or in Hispanic bookstores. I don't have Spanish fig

[Tango-L] Music recommendation and a little history.

Sometimes it is difficult to find really good compilations, but some of the suggestions have been very good. It is just as difficult finding a good representative (and danceable) CD of one particular artist. Until one learns about the music, it can be daunting and often disappointing to take a

[Tango-L] Non-tango subjects

igor polk wrote, before posting youtube addresses of videos of other dances: <<(there are no tangos in this collection)>> Thanks for the warning, but this is a tango discussion group. Could we please limit the off-subject videos, as well as the off-subject discussions, to private emails. Char

[Tango-L] Inspiration and Imitation: role models

It is often difficult and misleading to attempt to imagine how someone dances tango based on their posts to Tango-L. Even when two people agree in writing on style and philosophy, they may dance very differently. As I have posted before, we often see visitors here in NYC from other tango co

Re: [Tango-L] leaving the floor

Stephen Brown wrote: < Some of the djs in the United States have begun reducing the length of tandas to three songs to promote/enable more rotation between partners. I'm interested in opinions about the desirablity of such an approach. > Traditional tandas serve a good purpose in that they esta

[Tango-L] rhythm breaks

tangopeer wrote: <<- The milonga runs from 9 pm til 12:30 am. - At 11 pm, a milonga tanda is played   followed by a latin rhythm break. - At 11 pm, a lot of dancers get up to leave.>> I am surprised they waited that long before leaving. What a weird way to space out the songs. No milongas for tw

[Tango-L] Rose/foot in the mouth

The rose-in-the-mouth image has no real connection with either Ballroom tango or Argentine tango. It is a Hollywood invention from the film "The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse" with Rudolph Valentino and derives singlehandedly from that film, but unfortunately has persisted to this day, becaus

[Tango-L] tango history and schizophrenia

Aron wrote: <> Aron, that is your assumption only. A little more research into tango history will say otherwise. I think he was being ironic...or should have been. I doubt very seriously that El Chino, Petroleo, Virulazo or any of those older masters learned much from Gustavo Naveira and other

[Tango-L] rose in the mouth...ouch!

<<< maybe not ...  seem to remember either Jack lemmon or his partner with the rose in mouth in Some Like It Hot, which being within the viewing lifetimes of more dancers today than Four Forsemen, probably reinforced the image. what im curious about is the genesis of the silly head snap the pu

[Tango-L] tango/milonga/tango

As Astrid pointed out, tango goes back to habanera, some flamenco, milonga, etc and as Sergio also pointed out, it also evolved along the way from canyengue (basically an early form of tango) and rural dances. To answer 'mash's questions, one of the reason you don't have milongas of only milong

[Tango-L] tango/milonga/tango

ming_mar wrote: <<>> I Speak spanish so I am aware of the translation but perhaps I extrapolated from the two words together. Nonetheless, he plays it with a distinct milonga rhythm, not a tango rhythm, and the song appears other places listed as only a tango. However, many other tangos with l

[Tango-L] men dancing with men

tangopeer wrote: <<<>>> Although today same-sex people dance with each other and exchange lead and follow for different reasons, the main reason men danced with men is fairly simple and a product of the cultural milieu of the day. Tango was not considered a respectable dance to do and many w

[Tango-L] Milonga, a guy thing.

<<>> Maybe because it is taught so poorly, not to mention it is difficult to lead correctly. Most teachers don't even know how to do it properly. Most people just do speeded-up tango which is completely wrong. It is also aggravated by performing couples who perform it with big steps and stage

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