Tango_Dancing-Newspaper_Article

TANGO Tango in Red Major, a show put on by Gustavo Russo, an argentianian choreographer and dancer, is the reason I am writing this article. The dance (tango), the passion (red) and the music (RE-major) worked together harmonically to put on a sensual, extravagant show. Tango is primarily a musical genre. In order to ameliorate the visual aspects of tango music genre, the dancing style and unique moves of Tango dancing (the dance with the stop "Baille Con Carte") were introduced in the lower class of Buenos Aires, especially in the "Bario de las Ranas". Early tango was known as tango criollo, or simply tango. Today, there are many tango dance styles, including Argentine Tango, Uruguayan Tango, Ballroom tango (American and International styles), Finnish tango and vintage tangos. What many consider to be the authentic tango is that closest to that originally danced in Argentina and Uruguay, though other types of tango have developed into mature dances in their own right. Ballroom Tango clothing was dictated by full skirts for the woman and gauchos with high boots and spurs for the man. In the early 19th Century, the Tango was a solo dance performed by the woman. The Andalusian Tango was later done by one or two couples walking together using castanets. Soon after, the dance was considered immoral with its flirting music! The story of Tango as told is that it started with the gauchos of Argentina. They wore chaps that had hardened from the foam and sweat of the horses’ body. Hence to gauchos walked with knees flexed. They would go to the crowded night clubs and ask the local girls to dance. Since the gaucho hadn't showered, the lady would dance in the crook of the man's right arm, holding her head back. Her right hand was held low on his left hip, close to his pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with him. The man danced in a curving fashion because the floor was small with round tables, so he danced around and between them. The dance spread throughout Europe in the 1900's. Originally popularized in New York in the winter of 1910 - 1911, Rudolph Valentino then made the Tango a hit in 1921. For exhibition dancing, a Tango dancer must develop a strong connection with the music, the dance and the audience. The audience can only feel this connection if the performers feels and project this feeling. So it is when dancing for their own pleasure -- and their partner's! "The Tango is the easiest dance. If you make a mistake and get tangled up, you just Tango on." (Al Pacino in "The Scent of a Woman.") Movies that featured Tango dancing include "The Scent of a Woman", Madonna's "Evita" and "True Lies" starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis. Many shows toured around the world, such as Broadway Musicals Tango Argentino & Forever Tango, Tango X 2, and Tango Pasion among others. When dancing, remember: Dance to express, not to impress! (Source: Lori Heikkila)