The Etiquette of Tango 5/19/19
The traditional way to ask for a dance is to make eye contact. The asker uses a subtle head nod toward the partner with whom he wishes to dance. This is known as the “Cabeza”. If the partner wishes to accept the invitation, she will nod back. If she wishes Read More
What is La Confiteria Ideal – 8/23/2019
La Confitería Ideal is the iconic tango venue of Buenos Aires. When tourists and dancers alike pass through their doors on Suipacha near Corrientes, they can feel they are entering the historic soul of tango. La Ideal was built in 1912 by pastry chefs from Spain. It wasn’t until the Read More
So, Who is Homero Manzi 8/16/2019
Homero Manzi (November 1, 1907 – May 3, 1951) was a poet, Tango lyricist and author of several famous tangos. Born in 1907 in Argentina. Manzi was interested in literature and tango from a young age. After working in journalism for a short time, he worked as a literature and Read More
About Malena 8/7/2019
Malena is a famous Tango by Lucio Demare with words by Homero Manzi. Much of this piece comes from Tanguito, Argentine Tango Academy, https://www.tanguito.co.uk The story Some feel that Manzi was motivated to write the song by Malena de Toledo, who he saw perform in Brazil. However, others feel the Read More
So, Who Is Carlos Gardel 8/1/2019
Carlos Gardel is arguably the most important single figure in tango history. He could be considered tango’s Frank Sinatra. Carlos Gardel (born Charles Romuald Gardès); December, 11 1890 was a French Argentine singer, songwriter, composer and actor. Gardel’s baritone voice and the dramatic phrasing of his lyrics made miniature masterpieces Read More
About leading and following 7/19/2019
Thoughts about leading and following Most people (even experienced dancers) think that the leader always leads and that the follower always follows. Oh, but not in Argentine Tango when it is being done correctly It turns out that any time a follower is doing any part of a molinete (which Read More
About Carlos Di Sarli 7/18/2019
About the music… Perhaps the most popular Tango music played comes from the Orchestra of Carlos Di Sarli. Here is more information about him. Tamas Peterfalvi, a tango dancer introduces Di Sarli in the following article. Carlos Di Sarli He is one of the most outstanding orchestra leaders in tango Read More
About Tango Addiction 7/8/2019
You know you are tango addicted when: * You keep a pair of dance shoes in your car. * You’ve sold or moved most of your furniture to give yourself practice space. * You make sure you never run out of breath mints or chewing gum. * You copied all Read More
Dealing with Insecurities 7/7/2019
Dealing with Insecurities at a Milonga… It’s not you, it’s everyone. We all feel some level of insecurity going to a milonga. If you’re a lead, there is the chance that a follower might say no. Or maybe you feel like you don’t know very much. If you’re a follower, Read More
The Music of Tango 7/3/2019
An Introduction to the music of Tango… The origins of Tango are obscure. There are many theories but ultimately it is impossible to discover the facts because the records don’t exist. Tango sprang from the poor and the disadvantaged, in tenement blocks and on street corners, amongst people whose lives Read More
Getting Asked to Dance 7/1/2019
Getting Asked to Dance – About the Cabaceo The Cabeceo Traditionally, the cabeceo is the way that leaders invite followers to dance. Leaders invite followers from a relative distance by catching their eye and motioning with their head. If she would like to accept the invitation she will nod back. Read More
The Structure of a Milonga 6/28/2019
The Structure of a Milonga Music at a Milonga (tango dance) is arranged into “tandas” and “cortinas”. Tandas are sets of 3 or 4 songs played by one orchestra or songs that are similar in nature. It is polite to dance the full tanda with the same person. However, if Read More
The Bandoneon 6/27/2019
About the Bandoneon – The bandoneon is the instrument featured in most tango orchestras. It originated in Germany and was intended for religious and popular music. Although the bandoneon was extremely popular, it was never produced in Argentina. In the late 1800s , German and, Italian emigrants and sailors brought Read More
Tango – The Ultimate Non Verbal Communication 6/25/2019
Argentine Tango – The Ultimate Non Verbal Communication Argentine Tango can be thought of as a conversation put to music, a thoughtful back and forth between dancers. The leader suggests and the follower listens and responds. There is no arguing and no shouting (at least we hope not). Each partner Read More
The Embrace 6/23/2010
The Embrace The Tango Embrace is at the heart of the dance and… at the heart of lots of controversy. Ask most folks and they will say there is close embrace and open embrace. That is not really true. There is “CLOSED”, “CLOSE” and “OPEN”. The “CLOSED” embrace is what Read More
Tango Steps 6/21/2019
My thoughts about Tango steps… Most of the time, especially with leaders, we are in search of another step. The next one, the fancier one, the cooler one. But did you ever stop to think that Tango is not about the steps? Sure, we see all the cool stuff good Read More
Tango…A Way of Life 6/20/2019
Many people say that Tango is not a dance, it is way of life. Why is that? First, in order to excel at it, you have to really dedicate yourself to it. Classes, milongas, practicas, privates all play a role in those who see what is possible and choose to Read More