[Tango-L] Expanding social dancing to exhibition level?

[Janis Kenyon]

Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:40:46 -0400
From: Ilene Marder <imhmedia at yahoo.com>

<I've just seen the beautiful dancing for the salon category of the
Campeonato del Mundial and can't help but think about the list
discussion some days back about exhibition salon dancing....  -- a
couple of people complained about Judy y Jon's class which offered
coaching for exhibition salon dancing.>

    Don't you think this is turning tango into a performance-only dance?

<Helloooo... altho some of the participants on stage danced just as they
do at the milongas...the couple who won - and I must say I thought they
were fantastic -   clearly fit into the 'exhibition' salon dance
category- showing how beautifully it can be done under the optimal
conditions (not a crowded floor, space to move, no one crashing into
you, great music, lots of time beforehand to practice together).>

    Anyone can do more when they have the space.  The challenge would be to
see the winners dance on a crowed floor.  That would prove whether or not
they are worthy of the tango salon title.  The judges' selection of winners
each year proves that you have to keep up with the latest fashion.  It is
clear that one has to impress the judges without stepping over the line into
the stage category.  In a few years, I doubt there will be any difference
between the salon and stage categories.  It also helps to have any many
private lessons as possible with the judges.  Five years the title has been
given to Argentines.  I doubt it will ever change.

<So I say 'here here' to Judy y Jon...I'd rather more classes like theirs
than for exhibition stage dancing (we've already had enough of that...).
a word of disclosure here... I have gone to milongas with Judy y Jon in
BsAS and have seen not only their exhibitions but also how the older
milonguero community reacts to them (especially in the barrios outside
of centro..)....>

        What is the difference between exhibition and stage?  Both are in
front of an audience.  Social dancers do exhibitions all the time.
Professionals don't dance in the milongas.  However, to perform as a
professional on stage (Esquina Carlos Gardel, Forever Tango, etc.) one
usually has a background of dance training and has to prepare
choreographies.  Auditions for Esquina Carlos Gardel are being held this
week.
        Do social dancers change their dancing for exhibitions in the
milongas?  Of course they do.  Why?  I believe they prepare a simple
choreography in order to receive applause.  Foreigners in the audience are
impressed and sign up for classes or offer invitations to visit their
country.  This is the real purpose of exhibitions.  Local dancers aren't
interested.

<The milonga organizers book them regularly for exhibitions because their
tango is highly thought of.  They dance often with many of the most
experienced and respected dancers.  My community, especially the leaders,
love them and are always asking to have them back here for workshops because
they actually help people to dance with connection, musicality and respect
for the tradition.  And I think that's a good thing.>

        I can't even begin to comment on these topics.  Generally, there is
hardly much respect for the traditions of tango in Buenos Aires these days.
Tango is all about business.

        I'd like to see all those young couples of the Campeonato Mundial
together on the floor of Centro Region Leonesa at one time and see if they
could navigate the floor without killing each another.  Anyone can learn
steps, but few can navigate well on a crowded floor like the milongueros.