From The Daily Dialogue
From The Daily Dialogue
Broadcast of 2/4/98
Subject: [DailyDialogue #35] The Dance
"Tango is about getting in touch with your partner." Clay Nelson, Argentine Tango Instructor
American tango is highly stylized. Dancers bend their knees, straighten backs, press pevically and avoid looking at each other at all times. Patterns are choreographed and there is a right way to do them. American tango is performance tango, evolved by dance instructors and choreographers to show off in front of crowds. While showing off can be fun and ego-satisfying, the experience seems to emphasize performance over connection.
Argentine tango is subtle and improvisational. Dancers stand straight or lean slightly into each other, and perhaps touch temple to cheek. While dancers are encouraged to be precise with foot placement and timing, there is an emphasis on inventing what works in the moment, not on performing someone else's choreography. The lead switches back and forth between the two partners as the dance is invented together.
Experiment: See "The Tango Lesson" at your theater. Dialogue with your partner about communication between dancers in contrast to verbal dialogue.
Affirmation: We are inventing a beautiful and fulfilling dance anew each day. The Daily Dialogue is published each day of 1998 by e-mail. Copyright 1998, Eddy Brame and Marty Crouch, All rights reserved. To share this with a friend, encourage them to subscribe by visiting our website at http://dailydialogue.com/. You may also unsubscribe at the website.
