[Tango-L] The Basic Elements of Tango

[Trini y Sean (PATangoS)]

I agree with you on this.  Just because volcadas and colgadas are more common doesn't mean that they are basic.  There are more important things to learn that are much more versatile, such as syncopas, enrosques, barridas (which are not listed) or certain combinations.

Since the week includes several teachers, however, the organizer is probably trying to cast a wide net  to ensure the proper level of dancer is allowed.  I am not sure if his description would work, though.  It's always an issue at festivals.  Breaking "intermediate" down to 3 levels (low, solid, high) might be better.

Trini de Pittsburgh
 

--- On Wed, 7/7/10, RonTango <rontango at rocketmail.com> wrote:
In addressing the level of workshops at the recent Chicago Tango Week 
(http://chicagotangoweek.org/schedule.pdf):
 
The assertion is that “ganchos, volcadas, colgadas, and sacadas” are basic 
elements of tango. Assuming this refers to social tango (“a few miles on the 
crowded dance floors”), there is a problem of misrepresentation of tango here. 
By these standards the milongueros in Buenos Aires have not yet reached the 
intermediate level, despite some having danced 40-50 years. This is ever so 
clearly indicated in this recent blog post that provides links to a dozen videos 
of milongueros dancing in the milongas of Buenos Aires:
 
http://tangovoice.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/milongueros-dancing-tango-in-the-milongas-of-buenos-aires/