[Tango-L] Level of dancing in Buenos Aires milongas

[Michael]

Alberto wrote:
>   Tango is not taught at buenos aires public schools,
there is all a discussion about this, and an organization
"Tango en la escuela ( tango on schools)" that is pushing to
have a law to make tango a compulsory subject into the
syllabus of the schools. 

>   Do you think kids at primary schools will be happy if
they are enforced to learn tango dancing ?? I am not sure.
*************************************************************************

In New York City, a dance teacher convinced the school
system to introduce ballroom dancing in the schools. The
results are showcased in the movie "Hot MAD Ballroom."
Students are taught American tango, Swing, Fox Trot,
Merengue,  Rumba, and I think Waltz. The program has grown
since its inception. There is now a yearly competition. In
the movie, the principal of the reigning school desperately
wanted to keep the dancing trophy in the school's trophy
case.

The classes teach more than dance. They teach etiquette.
Students with behavioral problems change from the dance
classes. It helped in New York. It could help in Buenos
Aires. 

If the law passes, I hope they don't teach the kids volcadas
and colgadas. I'm sure the list will supply a tsunami of
suggestions of what and how to teach and music to use.

Michael Ditkoff
Washington, DC
Wish my junior high school had dance lessons when I was
there. Square dancing was a poor substitute in elementary
school.

Going to NY tomorrow for the almost all night milonga. Going
back to Washington on the 3:45 AM bus instead of the 7.
Thank goodness the subway runs all night.