[Tango-L] Performance and private dance are 2 sides of the same medal.

[Club~Tango*La Dolce Vita~]

Hi Igor,
 
One of the biggest irritations is the misconception that some people have of those who like to perform. Quite often their ignorance perceives the target as a 'Show-Off'...! "Look at that show-off!" "Who does he think he is!".
 
The thing is that there is quite a difference between being a 'show-off' and being a 'Showman', this difference of which you have briefly highlighted correctly in your posting.
 
The Ego Factor
In a tango environment, a 'show-off', I'm under the impression, is considered someone who flashes moves around willy-nilly with the intent of parading what he/she thinks is great dancing. However, a showman (in any environment) is someone who has an internal and natural ability and/or need to entertain an audience. There is an ego involved in both types. Now, I hasten to add that we ALL have ego... to varying degrees; it's one of the traits of human nature that encourages competition and thence physical, mental, technological evolution. It's a human necessity. However, in my (not humble :-)) opinion, the mis-applied ego of the 'show-off' can probably be classed as being of destructive in nature, while that of the showman as being of constructive (designed to entertain). There are, obviously though, other factors and personal aspects involved; nothing is ever 'classic', 'by the book', 'clean-cut'.
 
Performing vs Showing-off
>From another slant, the show-off does not necessarily have any great talent in either performing technique, ability, or indeed in what is being attempted to be shown off. The showman, on the other hand, will invariably have an ability to perform what is usually a precise and sometimes rehearsed 'routine', and do so in such a way as to entertain his audience by allowing them to see his 'show' as a performance rather than like a drunken karaoke slob on a 'hen-night'. The other important difference is of belief. A showman *believes* in the sense that he is entirely engrossed (although aware of his audience) in what he's doing. This is what makes a performance truly a performance, and a showman a performer. The moment the attention is taken from (in this case) his partner and/or his remit, his dance and, even fleetingly, transferred to his audience... all is lost. Any actor will tell you this. The status is in danger of becoming one of falsity... thus approaching the lack of
 talent and ability, the non-performance of the 'show-off'.
 
Now, I'm not a psychologist...well, not a trained one, anyway. I'm merely as much a psychologist as we all are, naturally, although I am fully correct about the performance/acting side of my posting. What I've been saying is all my own opinion.
 
Best regards
 
Dani
http://www.tango-la-dolce-vita.eu
(ongoing construction)
 
 

 
----- Original Message ----
From: Igor Polk <ipolk at virtuar.com>
To: tango-l at mit.edu
Sent: Sunday, 16 July, 2006 8:16:33 AM
Subject: [Tango-L] Performance and private dance are 2 sides of the same medal.


I've just read Dani' message: "I prefer performing to social dancing... ":
http://pythia.uoregon.edu/%7Ellynch/Tango-L/2006/msg02229.html

You convinced me, thank you Dani. There is nothing wrong with performance
dancing, of course. I believe that performance tango dance is as old as
private or rather spiritual tango dance.

Were those gauchos not performing trying to show themselves off in front of
their comrades? ( Almost said "colleagues" :) ). And sure the girls in
certain places were performing trying to get a reach customer.

It was like competitions.

The same in other folk dances. Russian dances, for example, always included
element of individual competition. The best dancers always were considered
the best workers, smartest warriors, possible leaders, and obviously the
best fiance. They were the backbone of the community and were generously
supported by cheering audience.

There are at least 2 types of performance. To show themselves off. It is
like competition. Or performance for money like showmen do.  They are
different in some sense, aren't they?

Making a performance, or at least knowing that someone is watching,
certainly adds a new blood-boiling component to a dance.

Regarding Tango, there is one thing which competitions are not able to
illuminate. Who is the best tango dancer..

Thank you again!
Igor.

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