Some further thoughts about demonstrations: 1) Musicality is important to a convincing demonstration. If choreography is used, it must be learned to the point where the couples actually dance to the rhythm of the music. Copies of the music should be given in advance to all couples participating in the demonstration for listening/practicing.
2) If the dancers are willing, it is desirable to use a variety of tango music for a demonstration. All D'Arienzo or all Pugliese can leave a dull impression with a audience. 3) There is a range of gradations from completely choreographed performances to completely improvised performances. One possibility is generally planning and rehearsing the more complex elements of the demonstration--using the basic elements to connect--and using the elements as they fit. 4) Choreographies need to keep the skills/capabilities of the dancers in mind. I've seen fairly good dancers looking bad because the choreography someone else created for them didn't play to the strengths of their dancing. 5) Dancing synchronized elements requires a lot of practice. 6) Changes in the speed of dancing--combining double-time and single-time elements creates strong dynamics. So does strong movement across the stage in an element like a cadena. 7) Use of the line of dance can work as a simple rotation device during a demonstration. Each couple can take dance a showy element at the front of the stage and then rotate toward the back, creating room for the next couple to rotate forward. (This assumes that each couple is sufficiently equal in ability.) 8) The stage can be used more dynamically than simply using the line of dance. (See Doris Humphrey's The Art of Making of Dances" for some ideas about stage use.) Without a coordinating choreography, however, it is challenging for several couples to share the stage without use of the line of dance. The line of dance can be modified somewhat to create a little bit stronger dynamics. One simple idea is pinching in the middle of the sides and back toward center stage. Steve (de Tejas) _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list Tango-L@mit.edu http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
