The Tango-L mailing list archive
Digest from 14 Jul 1999
to 15 Jul 1999
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Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 14 Jul 1999 to 15 Jul 1999
There are 24 messages totalling 951 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Tango addiction (4)
2. TANGO IN WEST VIRGINIA
3. tango in statecollege?
4. re Tango addiction
5. Lagrimas y Sonrisas
6. London
7. Intimacy and Addiction (long)[was Re: Tango addiction]
8. "El Indio" workshop
9. Tango Addiction
10. Dancing rules (was: Why people give up on Tango) (3)
11. Stats (3)
12. (Fwd) Re: Stats
13. Scandinavian Tango
14. SALIDA
15. Tango addiction -Reply
16. Canaro Milongas
17. Re. cultural diatribes
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:53:41 +0200
From: Virginia Gift <vgift @IBM.NET>
Subject: Tango addiction
Dear Listees,
Frank Sasson's message of 14 July referred to "this terrific addiction."
It seems to be pretty well acknowledged that tango has large numbers of
people who are obsessive about the dance--and I happily admit to being one
of them. However, when friends ask me about this addiction, I find it
impossible come up with a satisfactory, reasonable, answer.
I am curious as to why tango is so addictive. Why do people not become
addicted to other social dances? What is it that sets tango apart? Or is
there, indeed, a large community I've never heard of who are just as
addicted to other dances, such as the waltz, country dancing, the cha cha,
mambo, etc.?
Is it possible that tango attracts people with obsessive/addictive
personalities? Or do they become obsessive/addictive once they have begun
dancing tango? (The chicken or egg syndrome.) In either case, why?
It seems a fascinating mystery. I'd appreciate any insights List
members may have about it, and would also like to hear of any unusual
addictive behavior members have heard of--or experienced?
Best regards,
Virginia
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 08:46:26 EDT
From: "J. Martinez" <DancinSalr @AOL.COM>
Subject: TANGO IN WEST VIRGINIA
Greetings,
For those in the West Virginia area and interested in Tango,
there will be tango workshops given as part of the Augusta Heritage Center's
Swing Week. The week begins on Sunday, July 18 and includes other dances as
well as tango. The week also features live music and nightly dances. The
event takes place in Elkins, West Virginia at Davis and Elkins College and
the phone number is (304)637-1209. The tango classes will be taught by Diane
Lachtrupp and Johnny Martinez of Stepping Out Dance Studios of New York, who
can be contacted at (212) 245-5200.
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:36:41 -0400
From: Robert Morris <morris @POP1.SCIENCE.WIDENER.EDU>
Subject: tango in statecollege?
I am going to be in State College PA next week and would be delighted if
there were a place to dance.
Thanks
Bob
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 06:42:27 PDT
From: John Trimble <john.trimble @EXCITE.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango addiction
I would say that I know many more dancers who are far more physically
addicted to ballet and freely admit it, who pursue it with the greatest
intensity, and therefore, if forced to choose a most addictive dance, I'd
say it's ballet. Tango's marijuana, ballet's heroin. People come to tango
for the mock sex, to socialize, to listen to the music, and so on, but
ballet is nothing but pure dance.
As for social dances, the addiction doesn't get as much play, but people do
speak of being addicted, and the ratio of people who claim addiction to
those who "just enjoy dancing" is lower, but I know more people who dance
more often at other dances, including folks whose vacations revolve around
events, whose retirement is focused on travelling from event to event, and
so on.
I would say that one thing that sets tango apart is the international
character. International ballroom is more widespread than tango, but in the
US, most folks dance American Ballroom, which is not available in exotic
locales. Swing has an international following, and I know swing dancers who
travel internationally for events, but not quite as extensively as for AT.
Nevertheless, they have costumes and vocabulary and other elements of
addiction subculture to more than match tango.
Of course people are equally addicted to C&W, salsa, and so on. But being
readily available, it's easier to get a fix. Kids skip school to practice
hip hop obsessively, but all you need is a beat box, and I don't know any
tango dancers with the dedication in the pursuit of excellence in their form
to compare.
Finally, I know many people, including myself, who are so addicted to dance
that they pursue every available form, including tango. I know people who
pursue all the above dances and others as well because I practice them all
myself, so I feel that I'm in a position to compare the character of folks
who dance the various dances. They're all good people, mostly not obsessive
or addictive in other ways that I can make out. Dancers drink less, smoke
less, eat less, watch tv less...than non-dancers I know, so I can't think of
them as having the addiction gene in greater abundance than any one else.
John
On Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:53:41 +0200, Virginia Gift wrote:
> Dear Listees,
> Frank Sasson's message of 14 July referred to "this terrific
addiction."
> It seems to be pretty well acknowledged that tango has large numbers
of
> people who are obsessive about the dance--and I happily admit to being
one
> of them. However, when friends ask me about this addiction, I find it
> impossible come up with a satisfactory, reasonable, answer.
> I am curious as to why tango is so addictive. Why do people not
become
> addicted to other social dances? What is it that sets tango apart? Or
is
> there, indeed, a large community I've never heard of who are just as
> addicted to other dances, such as the waltz, country dancing, the cha
cha,
> mambo, etc.?
> Is it possible that tango attracts people with obsessive/addictive
> personalities? Or do they become obsessive/addictive once they have
begun
> dancing tango? (The chicken or egg syndrome.) In either case, why?
> It seems a fascinating mystery. I'd appreciate any insights List
> members may have about it, and would also like to hear of any unusual
> addictive behavior members have heard of--or experienced?
> Best regards,
> Virginia
John Trimble
john.trimble @excite.com
or backup john_trimble @hotmail.com
My web page has social dance venues in Dallas
http://home.switchboard.com/dancewithme
_______________________________________________________
Get your free, private email at http://mail.excite.com/
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:42:03 EDT
From: Charles Roques <Crrtango @AOL.COM>
Subject: re Tango addiction
Hi Virginia, Hopefully a few succinct comments.
>I find it impossible come up with a satisfactory, reasonable, answer.
>Is it possible that tango attracts people with obsessive/addictive
personalities? It probably does.
I don't think that "addiction" has a rational explanation or it would be a
different word like "interest". My take on it is that many tango people do
have something in their psychological make-up that draws them to it. I
personally have a certain need for physical intimacy which comes from my
personal history which I won't get into here. I feel comfortable and enjoy
the close and frequent contact with the opposite sex. Tango is very romantic
for me but I don't use it as a means to pick up women although I am often
very attracted to my partners. In fact, I try to be very cautious about
crossing that line. After all we dance close and make physical contact in a
way that off the dance floor would be considered very forward. It is even
worse in the warm months when the only thing separating our chests is a thin
layer of cotton and perhaps silk (braless and strapless to boot) Whew! And
high heels and fishnet hose are enough to make my poor heart skip a beat any
day. Yes, tango romances have occurred and even little jealousies have reared
their heads but perhaps that tension is part of what makes this dance so
exciting. For me many of the moves are nothing more than sexual advances that
have been formalized into steps anyway. How do you explain something like a
parada between the woman's leg, then opening her legs with his while leading
her into a back ocho? or the dreaded gancho?
>Why do people not become addicted to other social dances?
Actually they may, but again tango really is different from the others. I
don't know of any others dances that have as many steps (literally hundreds)
or that are improvisational. Most dances have fixed patterns of executing
steps but tango can be constantly rearranged into different patterns so the
possibilities really are endless.
I just think that the whole mix is pretty volatile. I am hopelessly
addicted. I dance six nights and take at least three to four classes a week.
I don't even think I could sustain a relationship with someone that didn't
tango.
Help! Charles Roques
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:15:12 -0500
From: Stephen P Brown <Stephen.P.Brown @DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Lagrimas y Sonrisas
Several times at milongas in the past few months, I have heard a vals
that sounded very much like "Lagrimas y Sonrisas," but it was not the
versions by D'Arienzo and Biagi with which I am familiar. The
recording sounded newer and the arrangement seemed a bit more lyrical
than the D'Arienzo recording I have. Unfortunately, I was unable to
ask the DJs what they were playing. Does anyone have any suggestions
about what I might have heard?
--Steve (de Tejas)
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 18:14:51 +0200
From: Per-Anders Tengland <perte @TEMA.LIU.SE>
Subject: Re: London
Can someone in London please contact me personally.
Thanks!
Per-Anders Tengland
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 09:16:15 -0700
From: ramiro garcia <ramiro9 @YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Tango addiction
Virginia,
--- Virginia Gift <vgift @IBM.NET> wrote:
> I am curious as to why tango is so addictive.
> ...
I think that what sets tango apart is intimacy. I know of no other
dance that systematically yields such a deep connection between the
partners when they do it properly.
This heart-to-heart connection is of a depth rarely found outside
marriage. Sadly, even within marriages,
it is often missing.
> Dear Listees,
> Frank Sasson's message of 14 July referred to
> "this terrific addiction."
> It seems to be pretty well acknowledged that
> tango has large numbers of
> people who are obsessive about the dance--and I
> happily admit to being one
> of them. However, when friends ask me about this
> addiction, I find it
> impossible come up with a satisfactory, reasonable,
> answer.
Once someone has experience that searing connection, that momentary
union and intimacy, they want more. So they pay tons of money, suffer
painful shoes, invest time and sweat in classes and practicas.
> Why do people not become
> addicted to other social dances?
I've occasionally had some pretty special moments in a variety of other
dances, but it seems to be the focal point of tango. Social tango, that
is.
There's a place in tango for the performer, the competitor, the
exhibitionist, but I don't think they're in it for the intimacy. There,
it's more of a sporting venture with teams of two.
> Is it possible that tango attracts people with
> obsessive/addictive personalities?
I think the need for intimacy is pretty universal in the human psyche;
I don't think it's in the same category as the need for alcohol, the
need for gambling, or other things that tend to be classified as
"addictions."
ramiro
_________________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 13:26:19 -0400
From: "Walter M. Kane" <oldzeid @FRONTIERNET.NET>
Subject: Re: Tango addiction
From: Virginia Gift, Wednesday, July 14, 1999 3:53 AM
> I am curious as to why tango is so addictive. Why do people not
become
> addicted to other social dances? What is it that sets tango apart?
There are 950+ Tango-L'ers out there. If they were all inclined to answer,
you might get as many different opinions. Charlse Roques' seduction by the
intimacies of cotton and silk is worlds apart from the drive that motivates
John Trimble's ballet dancers.
The analogies with marijuana and heroin don't work; we never quite
pronounce the word "addiction" clearly in the tango context because our
tongues are stuck so far into our cheeks when we say it. Maybe "obsession"
comes closer to describing the (not-quite fatal) attraction for most of us.
> Is it possible that tango attracts people with obsessive/addictive
> personalities? Or do they become obsessive/addictive once they have
begun
> dancing tango?
We wouldn't be surprised to find that there's a predisposition among people
who've experienced enjoyment in other dances. From my point of view
(admittedly 1 out of 950), as someone who has enjoyed dancing for many
years with the same life partner, social American ballroom, i.e., fox-trot,
waltz, swing, rumba, cha-cha, samba, etc. has always held a strong
attraction. Tango has taken that enjoyment and attraction to another level.
Of the American ballroom dances, the ones that permit or require the
closest contact with my partner, and the ones that are danced to the most
sensual music, were the long-term favorites: fox-trot and rumba, with waltz
(not Viennese) a close third. Fox-trot allows for a certain degree of
improvisation; not at the level of tango, but enough to set it apart from
the other American dances, which are more pattern-regulated. American tango
opened our eyes to a new (for us) kind of musical/emotional experience, but
its one-dimensional, unremitting beat and its highly regimented adherence
to patterns are frustrating impediments to interpretation.
Tango is the only dance I've experienced that has it all: Sensual music
that raises the hair on the back of my neck (whether I hear it on the dance
floor or in my car), close contact and coordinated movement with my partner
(aaahhhh, that sometimes elusive connection) to music that continually
allows (demands!) improvisation, and a spectrum of sounds, moods and tempos
that surpasses the range of variety of all the ballroom dances combined.
We'll still enjoy a fox-trot or a rumba, and it's fun to swing or cha-cha,
but when Pugliese starts to play and I place my arm behind my partner's
back, we're home.
So, Virginia, now that I've laid it all out so analytically, you can see
that for me, there is no such thing as a real tango addiction......
.... er, um ... excuse me, I have to go now....... I need a fix.
Tangringo
____________________
Walter M. (Tangringo) Kane
Harriman, NY
oldzeid @frontiernet.net
Visit us at Hudson Valley Tango
http://nycdc.com/hvtango
===================
Tango Lyrics in Spanish and English at
http://www.hooked.net/~tangoman/letras.htm
Por el fomento y progreso del Tango
===================
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 10:39:04 -0700
From: Mike Hamilton <mikeh @MPL.UCSD.EDU>
Subject: Intimacy and Addiction (long)[was Re: Tango addiction]
Hi List,
I'm going to go out on a limb here and challenge the "intimacy in
tango" idea... I've been thinking about this and talking to friends
ever since Virginia's first post about her friend leaving tango to
find a relationship.
When I first replied, I lumps together three concepts of intimacy,
passion, and physical contact. I think the human psyche needs all
three. One can find passion in tango very easily. Passion doesn't
necessarily require another person - one can be passionate about
painting, or other arts, or about surfing or basketball or whatever
they find moves them. Of course, passion in conjunction with another
person, such as one finds in tango, tends to have a synergystic
effect.
But intimacy is different. Intimacy involves communication, and a
baring of the soul to another person. It involves risk, and making
one's self vulnerable. While to some degree this happens in tango, I
don't think it happens there in any real or full sense. I believe one
can *bring* intimacy *to* tango, and that the dance will benefit from
that, just like bringing intimacy to any passion will make the passion
that much better. But, it is not intrinsically there.
There is physical contact, and a closeness associated with that. I
believe the physical contact coupled with the passion can be a very
powerful thing. Perhaps that can be a beginning of intimacy, but,
it's not really full intimacy. I think true intimacy has to be
developed with another person *off* of the dance floor, through
communication and sharing one's self in ways besides physical ones. I
can see a physical component to intimacy, and I can see *that*
happening in tango, but, it's far from complete.
As for addiction, I suspect most people who say they're "addicted"
really aren't, they're just very passionate about tango. And there's
an important difference that I believe Christoph put nicely:
On Thu, 8 Jul 1999, Christoph J.W. Schmees wrote:
> What does it mean: "Dangerously important"? Is it "addicted"? If
> so, it is like any other addiction (alcoholic, workoholic,
> IRC-oholic and so forth). You do something *instead* of the real
> thing you need, but the substitute doesn't really feed you. So
> you keep on desiring it and need more and more and still don't
> become content. If this is the case with your male friend and
> tango: Yes, he'd better stop that thing and look what he's really
> after. Concentrate his energy on real nutrition, not
> substitution.
An addiction, as C. defined it, is something you do instead of the
real thing. So, going back to my original thesis, if someone is
dancing tango in search of intimacy, perhaps they are addicted.
They're looking in the wrong place. They're trying to substitute
passion and physical touch for intimacy. People try this with sex
sometimes, too. It generally doesn't work.
However, as C. later pointed out, at least tango is healthier for you
than a lot of other addictions. ;-)
I just got Walter's email about "obsession" - I think he said it well.
As for tango being more "obsessive" than other dances; I don't know.
The example of the ballet people has already been pointed out. Plus,
I know a lot of really crazy Lindy Hoppers who are pretty obsessed.
I'll have to explore that later, though.
Interested in replies...
Abrazos,
Mike
Seattle (was) -> San Diego (now)
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 14:25:30 -0400
From: Lorettal Burton <LnBrtn @COMPSERV.NET>
Subject: "El Indio" workshop
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
=_NextPart_000_0004_01BECE04.B9E2EB80
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
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Dear List,
I am happy to announce that as our guest in Detroit Michigan we have the =
pleasure of having workshops with "El Indio" and his partner Marianna =
Dragones from the streets of Buenos Aries.
July 31st
11:00-12:30 Ladies only-----------15.00
11:00-12:30 Men only---------------15.00
12:30-2:00 Tango-------------------15.00
2:00-3:30 Milonga-----------------15.00
=20
Aug.1st
11:00-12:30 Ladies only-------------15.00
11:00-12:30 Mens only---------------15.00
12:30-2:00 Tango----------------------15.00
2:00-3:30 Milonga-------------------15.00
3:30-5:00 Pratica---------------------5.00
Join us Friday evening for our weekly milonga at the Troy Dance Studio
Join us Sunday for our Milonga at the Brickhouse 7:00-?
Coming in September Kely and Facundo Posadas
Coming in October Sergio Cortazzo and Gachi Fernandez
For more information please view my website at =
http://www.argentinetangodetroit.com
or e-mail me at LnBrtn @compserv.net
I hope to see you soon.
Tangoly yours,
Lori Burton
=_NextPart_000_0004_01BECE04.B9E2EB80
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
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http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Dear List,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>I am happy to announce that as our =
guest in=20
Detroit Michigan we have the pleasure of having workshops with "El=20
Indio" and his partner Marianna Dragones from the streets of Buenos =
Aries.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>July 31st</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>11:00-12:30 Ladies=20
only-----------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>11:00-12:30 Men=20
only---------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>12:30-2:00 =20
Tango-------------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>2:00-3:30 =20
Milonga-----------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Aug.1st</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>11:00-12:30 Ladies=20
only-------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>11:00-12:30 Mens=20
only---------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>12:30-2:00 =20
Tango----------------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>2:00-3:30 =20
Milonga-------------------15.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>3:30-5:00 =20
Pratica---------------------5.00</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Join us Friday evening for our =
weekly milonga at=20
the Troy Dance Studio</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Join us Sunday for our Milonga at =
the Brickhouse=20
7:00-?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Coming in September Kely and Facundo =
Posadas</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Coming in October Sergio Cortazzo =
and Gachi=20
Fernandez</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>For more information please view my =
website at=20
<A=20
href=3D"http://www.argentinetangodetroit.com">http://www.argentinetangode=
troit.com</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>or e-mail me at <A=20
href=3D"mailto:LnBrtn @compserv.net">LnBrtn @compserv.net</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>I hope to see you soon.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Tangoly yours,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>Lori =
Burton</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
=_NextPart_000_0004_01BECE04.B9E2EB80--
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 13:31:00 -0400
From: Michael Ditkoff <Michael.B.Ditkoff @USDOJ.GOV>
Subject: Tango Addiction
In an earlier message, Virginia Gift wrote "I am curious why
tango is so addictive. Though not a doctor, I think I can
explain the addiction.
Unlike ballroom, there are very few people who dance tango.
When you go to milongas, you see and dance with the same
dancers over and over. Unlike ballroom where each dance is
different [hustle (fast); rumba (slow); swing (fast); fox trot
(slow)], you get a set of the SAME dance at milongas (tango,
vals, or milonga.) Partners are more likely to dance two or
three consecutive dances (assuming there is chemistry between
the two) at milongas than at ballrooms. This gives a chance to
enhance chemistry. I feel that it's the enhanced chemistry
that causes the addiction. The chemistry (sometimes called
passion) is magnified when you dance milonguero position.
Unlike ballroom, you learn something about your partner. I
look forward to dancing with specific tangueras at milongas
whereas at ballroom, I'm just happy to find anybody to dance.
Also, IMHO, tango dancers take tango more seriously than
ballroom dancers take ballroom. I don't get the same feelings
from dancing fox trot nor merengue. American Tango doesn't
even give me the thrill Argentine Tango gives me.
For me, AT delivers passion no other dance can give.
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 23:20:34 +0200
From: "Christoph J.W. Schmees" <cjws @GMX.DE>
Subject: Dancing rules (was: Why people give up on Tango)
Von: Michael Ditkoff <Michael.B.Ditkoff @USDOJ.GOV>
An: TANGO-L @mitvma.mit.edu <TANGO-L @mitvma.mit.edu>
Datum: Dienstag, 13. Juli 1999 01:46
Betreff: Why people give up on Tango
-- snip --
> the woman always crosses on four. (It could be five if the >
man begins with the notorious and dangerous back step.)
-- snip --
Michael, I couldn't agree more! How happy I am to find a man who
has the same view on this, yes, notorious and dangerous back
step.
This lets a more general question arise: What about dancing rules
in the US and elsewhere?
I am very curious to learn about social behaviour on the dancing
floor in other parts of the world. What I know is this set of
rules:
#1 Crowd on the floor moves counter-clockwise.
#2 Man (leader) may never step backwards, except to the place he
came from in the step just before.
#3 Man has to look where he steps, even forward (= in the
direction of dancing), to avoid collisions.
Are these rules universal or do you have different ones?
How are the rules obeyed? (Of course there are diffenrences
between a practica and a milonga)
What do you do if a man (leader) messes up a milonga by acting
against one ore more of the rules?
Looking forward to many responses,
Christoph
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 17:40:18 -0400
From: Kay Mullins <kayconnect @SEMC-ONLINE.COM>
Subject: Stats
Hola Everyone,
A friend of mine (non-tanguero) heard on a radio program that the highest
percentage of tango dancers per capita in any area of the world is in
Scandinavian countries. I told him this couldn't be true; that it would
have to be in Argentina. Does anyone know a source for such statistics?
Thanks,
Kay
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 14:40:41 -0700
From: Greg Olsen at Work <golsen @NONSTOP.COM>
Subject: Re: Dancing rules (was: Why people give up on Tango)
I would add another basic rule to the list.
o Couples who are not doing progressive figures should be in the
middle of the floor.
Happy trails,
Greg Olsen
>
>-- snip --
>> the woman always crosses on four. (It could be five if the >
>man begins with the notorious and dangerous back step.)
>-- snip --
>
>Michael, I couldn't agree more! How happy I am to find a man who
>has the same view on this, yes, notorious and dangerous back
>step.
>This lets a more general question arise: What about dancing rules
>in the US and elsewhere?
>I am very curious to learn about social behaviour on the dancing
>floor in other parts of the world. What I know is this set of
>rules:
>#1 Crowd on the floor moves counter-clockwise.
>#2 Man (leader) may never step backwards, except to the place he
>came from in the step just before.
>#3 Man has to look where he steps, even forward (= in the
>direction of dancing), to avoid collisions.
>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 14:43:17 -0700
From: Greg Olsen at Work <golsen @NONSTOP.COM>
Subject: Re: Stats
I don't know how accurate the statistic is, but I hear that there
is a lot of Argentine tango danced in Finland.
Happy trails,
Greg Olsen
>
>Hola Everyone,
>
>A friend of mine (non-tanguero) heard on a radio program that the highest
>percentage of tango dancers per capita in any area of the world is in
>Scandinavian countries. I told him this couldn't be true; that it would
>have to be in Argentina. Does anyone know a source for such statistics?
>
>Thanks,
>Kay
>
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 17:58:23 +0100
From: white95r <white95r @HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Stats
Finnish tango maybe. Argentine tango no.
Manuel
Original Message -----
From: Greg Olsen at Work <golsen @NONSTOP.COM>
Subject: Re: Stats
> I don't know how accurate the statistic is, but I hear that there
> is a lot of Argentine tango danced in Finland.
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 16:35:40 -0600
From: Brian Salisbury <bsalisb @PUBSAFETY.UTAH.EDU>
Subject: Re: Dancing rules (was: Why people give up on Tango)
> Why people give up on Tango
> -- snip --
> > the woman always...
> --snip-- dancing rules..
> --snip--
In the wild and wooley western regions of the US many of us are
cautious about words like "rules" and "always"
There are some small pockets of semi-civilization wherein
conventions of behavior are agreed upon such as;
Ain't perlite ta step on folks. Watch where yer goin'
Go with the flow.
A fella shows a lady a good time by pertectin' her from gettin'
trampled 'neath the herd an' by movin' such that she has a
durn good idea where she oughta put her feet ta look purty fer
the fellas a watchin'.
A guy what messes up on the dance floor just might not get his
truck jumpstarted when the battery fails after the party.
Its OK ta showboat a little if ya leave space fer all else ta
dance.
Brian Salisbury
Wasatch Tango
SLC UT
> #1 Crowd on the floor moves counter-clockwise.
> #2 Man (leader) may never step backwards, except to the place he
> came from in the step just before.
> #3 Man has to look where he steps, even forward (= in the
> direction of dancing), to avoid collisions.
>
> Are these rules universal or do you have different ones?
> How are the rules obeyed? (Of course there are diffenrences
> between a practica and a milonga)
> What do you do if a man (leader) messes up a milonga by acting
> against one ore more of the rules?
>
> Looking forward to many responses,
>
> Christoph
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 16:36:49 -0600
From: Brian Salisbury <bsalisb @PUBSAFETY.UTAH.EDU>
Subject: (Fwd) Re: Stats
Argentine tango danced in Finland.
A friend from Finland gave me some tango CDs. Believe me, it
ain't Argentine!
Brian Salisbury
Wasatch Tango
SLC UT
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 18:46:11 EDT
From: Digest Polly McBride <ATANGO2 @AOL.COM>
Subject: Scandinavian Tango
Hello Fellow Tango List Members,
List discussions are nearly as diverse, interesting, and "educational" as
tango itself.
Am looking forward to hearing follow up comments from Leads and Follows
regarding the "dangerous" back step. A change of weight in place or
"intimate" back step known only to the couple, allows the Follow behind the
Lead as well as the Follow in the embrace of the Lead more comfortable and
safer dancing. Many, if not most, Follows have experienced the results of
the Lead in front of them taking a back step without looking in the rearview
mirror. With all the intelligence, care, and skill required to dance tango
well, the "necessity" of taking a sizeable back step is worthy of discussion.
(Probably for the severalth time.)
Regarding tango in Scandinavia:
A National Geographic Special about 4 years back featured "tango" in
Finland, and it definitely was the Finnish version of the dance.
Polly McBride
If tango were just a dance....rrrright.
http://members.aol.com/atango2/index.html All Things Argentine Tango
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 19:20:02 -0400
From: SERGIO <SERGIO @NCINTER.NET>
Subject: SALIDA
The back step is generally omitted on a crowded floor.
Although there are multiple salidas; the man stepping to his left side with
left foot is probably the most common way to start the dance.
Stepping back is mostly used on exhibitions or on stage.
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 17:42:34 -0700
From: DIANE CLARK <CLARK @LDBB.COM>
Subject: Tango addiction -Reply
Tango is the most physically "close" dance experience, but I do not feel
"intimate" with my partner. My body and his may be touching, but
unless we have a relationship and communication outside of the dance, I
do not know him intimately. I may perceive him. I may enjoy him. I may
imagine him, but he is a stranger leading me.
Tango becomes an addiction in terms of emotional and physical longing:
--- the need for closeness, to be touched, to be held, to be accepted, all
falling into the arms of an imagined partner --- quite possibly the partner
whose hand reaches out right now -- whose pulse I feel as he presses
our weight into the floor . You never know when you will fit with
someone -- so you keep dancing Tango.
Diane
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 23:13:06 -0700
From: Manuel Patino <white95r @HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Canaro Milongas
Hi Garrit,
El Bandoneon #EBCD 30, Francisco Canaro y su orquesta
tipica, "La Melodia De Nuestro Adios" has 4 nice milongas:
'Silueta porteqa', 'Milonga de mis amores', 'Reliquias
porteqas' and 'Milonga sentimental'. These are very good.
#EBCD 03 "Quinteto Pirincho" has 2 milongas: 'Milonga con
variaciones' (which is more like a tango) and 'Milongon'.
Maestros del tango #BMT 018 "Tiempos viejos" has 1 milonga:
"El chino pantaleon".
I hope this helps,
Manuel
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 01:38:40 EDT
From: Claude Dumont <CLDUMONT @AOL.COM>
Subject: Re. cultural diatribes
Charles wrote:
>>Hey, Let's cut the crap with all the disparaging
>>remarks about our culturaldifferences. I subscribe
>>to discuss tango and directly related issues. There
>>are enough long-winded discussions already without
>>getting into this othermurky stuff. No wonder people are
>>choosing to unsubscribe..etc.etc.
Thanks charles, you wrote exactly, what I could not
write in my poor english.
Once said Andre Malereau, culture minister by
Charles De Gaule :
"Culture is like jelly, the less you have the more you
spread it"
I wish more jelly on table by some listers !!
Claude, desde BsAs
End of TANGO-L Digest - 14 Jul 1999 to 15 Jul 1999
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