[Tango-L] Argentine Tango on Dancing with the Stars

[tangosmith@cox.net]

One of the aspects that I’ve long noticed on this board is the disdain,
bordering on intolerance, of other forms of dance as well as even
variations between the styles of Argentine tango.  We are disappointed when
we see any dance referred to as tango, but it is not “our” tango.  Did we
really expect to see a couple dancing beautiful salon style around the
stage?  Even if it had been Argentine tango, it would have most certainly
been stage tango, which a number of people here don’t consider “real” tango
either.  Are we really so afraid that our Argentine tango is so frail that
it must be defended else it will be overwhelmed and disappear? 
     
Here’s news.  When the overwhelming majority of people in the world
(atleast outside South America) hear “tango” (and perhaps the way many of
us thought before we learned different), they could really care less about
all the variations we take so seriously.  What distinguishes tango for them
is a very special dance that comes across as passionate, sensual, and
involves an intricate and intimate connection between a man and woman.  In
spite of their naivete about the variations, even if they never learn
anything more, are they really all that wrong?
        
I hope most people here are well-rounded enough to have interests beyond
the narrow confines of tango, as fascinating as it is.  Because we might
love steak doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy fish and vegetables and flan con
dulce de leche.  Because we have a passion for tango doesn’t mean other
forms of dance are any less valid or might not actually be enjoyable.  We
can love to dance our tango and still appreciate the talents of Fred
Astaire, Michael Baryshnikov, Bill Robinson, and Frankie Manning.

Shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” can
admittedly be pretty cheesy and very easy to criticize from a “real”
dancer’s perspective.  (Though compared to a lot of other garbage on TV, to
me they fare at least equal, if not somewhat better.)  But one thing they
are accomplishing is the promotion of dancing.  They get people interested
in dancing and for every 100 people who might get motivated to get up off
the couch or come in from the golf course and try dancing, maybe one or two
of them will be lucky enough to stumble their way into the magical dance of
Argentine tango we know and love.  And the great thing about tango, they
might just end up being that one special partner that gives us that perfect
tango moment we all dance for. 

To me, the more people who discover dancing, the more people who will come
to learn, appreciate, and love our very special tango.

WBSmith     



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