[Tango-L] Social tango definition

[Trini y Sean (PATangoS)]

Hi Kace,

Interesting post.  There is one specific thing that I
would like to address, which has appeared in other
posts.
 
> But if the freedom to open the embrace is taken too
> far, you may even end up using only one hand or
releasing the hold completely -- as Andres does in
some of his figures -- and you have to question if it
is still "tango" without the embrace. In that case,
why not have solo "shines" like salsa dancers?

To dance tango, one needs a good connection, but not
necessarily a physical embrace.  When Andres was here,
we did a great improvisations class that showed us how
the connection between dancers was more than just
physical contact.  It was about intention toward one's
partner - for both partners.  Andres explained that we
use body positioning to orient ourselves to our
partner, which matches what we have learned from
Jaimes Friedgen.

It would be difficult for me to explain the specific
exercise, so I will explain it in the negative.  Have
you ever danced with someone in the traditional
embrace who just wasn't with you?   Maybe he/she was
more interested in the steps or his/her mind was
elsewhere.  Did you perhaps feel that you just weren't
doing tango with that person?

Sometimes late in the milonga, Sean & I will give each
other that "come hither and dance" look, in which we
saunter toward each other and dance flirtatiously
without an embrace.  There is no doubt that we are
doing tango.  Sean doesn't need an embrace to tell me
what direction he wants me to go.  He just goes, and I
tag along because I want to dance with him.

I do not dance salsa, but I think that what makes
tango different is that it is completely lead.  I have
heard that when couples dance side-by-side in ballroom
dances, the steps are choreographed.  The man signals
the woman what he wants to do by pressing a certain
way on her hand.  That doesn't seem like leading to
me.

Good tango connections to all,
Trini de Pittsburgh


PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society 
Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburgh's most popular social dance. 
http://www.pitt.edu/~mcph/PATangoWeb.htm


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