[Tango-L] Tango reflects society - introduction

[astrid]

Jake Spatz wrote:
> * The vocabulary of follower's moves was specifically developed to show
> off a woman's legs

While on one hand I may thank you for your fascination with the beauty of
women's legs, on the other hand, I (and probably most of the rest of us
here, I imagine) do not quite agree with you.
It has been said many times, that the man's job in tango is to show off the
woman. Note: the woman as such, not just some part of her body that may be
of special interest to you.
Actually, in my opinion, those dancers that sit on the side with their eyes
fixed in fascination on the feet or legs of the dancers are missing
something about tango. Their conception of the dance is limited, in my
opinion, as they keep trying to figure out the steps people are using,
without looking at the connection or the lead and follow interplay, which
happens far above their chosen eye level, or the state of tango-oblivion
that couple may have reached which would be shown on their faces which are
also out of their sight. (I am not saying that those people stare at the
legs because they are into nice legs, like Jake here...)

As far as men following men is concerned:
The men here I have seen don't need to wear drag or "find their masculinity
in following". The men dancing with men-shows I have seen were some of the
sexiest things on earth. Those two men were men alright, and from what I
know, the molinete step formation originated from the moves of two fighting
men circling each other warily with a knife in their hands.
We once had a performance of Cristian and Gonzalo which sent the whole
audience screaming and reeling. Ever seen two strong, tall men leading each
other into jumps alternately? And can you imagine what those jumps look
like? I think, the combined force of two leaders can create a fascinating
dynamic.
On the other hand, we also have Cristian demonstrating steps with Manuel,
and Manuel is quite small and slight, compared to Cristian, and Manuel loves
to dance valse, showing of his legs in long steps... This always brings a
bemused smile to people's faces.

And then we have Oscar Mandagaran, who will ask a student to lead him, to
show the women how to dance like a sexy woman... He gets applause every
time, because he can be so unbelievably cute in that way.
>
Will get into the "raison d'etre" of my heels another day. I am a practical
person, even in tango...

; )
Astrid