[Tango-L] Get real - If it looks total different and and sounds totally different- it is totally different!

[Anton Stanley]

A recent post:  "American ballroom was created by Irene and Vern Castle
as they returned by boat from Europe where they 'discovered' Argentine
Tango...  

They apparently saw only the surface of the dance.., but being ballroom
people, that's all they needed...  They used it as the basis
for their own version of it...   Adding what they thought were dashing
.... flairs, etc..."

Maybe they could see below the surface, but chose to ignore it. Surely
no one could possibly see a commonality between this and Nuevo?

And for the record, competition Ballroom and social Ballroom hardly bear
any resemblance to each other. Much as Stage/competition Tango bears any
resemblance to social Tango. Both are heavily choreographed, have
extravagant and colorful movements, and possess almost no similarity to
the dance style they purport to be dancing, at least to the majority of
social dancers. 

Another recent post: "As far as I'm concerned, this list should be
considered as relating to *improvisational* dancing, using Tango style
of lead."

What is a Tango style of lead exactly? Having been taught and danced the
various Ballroom styles, I challenge the often put statement that
Ballroom is not interpretive. Just as in stage/competition Tango,
Ballroom at this level is also heavily choreographed. But at a social
level, where a dancer asks a partner to dance. The mood of the leader,
the music, the connection with the partner, size of the floor, number on
the floor, experience of his chosen partner - all influence how the
dance shall be danced. As opportunities arise, they are danced. Others
are aborted as the opportunity closes. What's so different? One thing's
for sure, no one will try to dance competition Ballroom in a social
environment. They may have respect for fellow dancers or there simply
isn't the space. 

Anton