[Tango-L] How tango evolves

[Lois Donnay]

Well, I am currently in Buenos Aires, and am seeing more and more "tango" performances in the milonga that have less and less Argentine tango in them, and more "Dancing with the Stars". Completely choreoghraphed, lots of lifts, less musicality - but the crowd loves it!

Monkey see, monkee do - Are these the moves we will be emulating in the future?

Buenos Aires has changed a lot since my first trip 10 years ago. Fashions, manners, body types - and these are people who are not surrounded by tourists all the time, as tango dancers are.

Loisa
Minneapolis, Minnesota

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Myk Dowling" <politas at gmail.com>


> Trini (PATangoS) wrote:
>>
>> At some point, a version of Argentine tango became Finnish tango.  A
>> version of Argentine tango became International Ballroom tango.  It's
>> quite possible that a version of Argentine tango is becoming another
>> type of tango, a separate branch on the evolutionary chain.  Or could
>> it be evolving in a direct line?
>
> Except that now, there is less separation. Finnish and International
> Ballroom Tango diversified because there was a lack of regular
> communication to maintain the form (and probably a fair dose of
> Imperialist arrogance). But the modern "Argentine Tango" dance is shared
> around the world. I doubt there are many people dancing Tango who aren't
> at most one or two removes from teaching in Argentina. (ie, their
> teacher or themselves have learned from someone who has studied in
> Argentina)
>
> But on the other hand, there are masses of Tango tourists going to BsAs
> every year, dancing in the milongas and doing classes. Surely
> occasionally, the locals will pick up something they like from a
> tourist, or while travelling overseas? Only occasionally, I'm sure, but
> there has to be some impact.