[Tango-L] What makes tango tango? (was: Get real)

[Jay Rabe]

The question is, what makes tango different from ballroom? 

I have often repeated the mantra that "tango is not ballroom," but I confess to believing that mostly on blind faith, since I've never done enough ballroom to understand WHY that is the case.

I think thorn-inside has hit on a couple of possible parameters, however: 
     * ballroom doesn't allow cross-foot dancing (can someone with ballroom experience verify that?);
      * in tango the leader is responsible for leading every weight change;

I'd like to add a third, having had experience teaching tango to people with a lot of ballroom experience:
     * in tango the weight/intention/energy (whatever you want to call it) is forward and towards their partner, whereas in ballroom the dancers tend to lean their upper body slightly away from each other.

     Comments or additions to the list?

              J
           TangoMoments.com


> From: thorn-inside at hotmail.com

> ... ballroom versions of Tango do not admit crossed feet.  Is this so?  
> 
> I interpret "Tango Lead" to be that the lead is responsible for leading
> every weight change and step of the follow ...




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