Sexy tango on the dancefloor

[MadamSamba]

Ok, I've been knocked breathless at times by how sensual Argentine Tango can be (and anyone who's seen Forever Tango will probably agree), but the other day I saw a couple doing some pretty racy stuff at a milonga. It was fabulous, but worlds apart from what was going on on the dancefloor, which was obviously pretty harmelss and very social.

Does overtly sexy tango have a place on a social dancefloor or should it be left to the performers?

I thought it was great (actually I was just a bit jealous that I can't dance like that), but some of the other folks there were appalled.

[newbie]

Maybe it was a rehearsal for a stage performance. Why not, if they don't use more space than any other couple.

[MadamSamba]

Nah, newbie. I know of the couple. They're definitely not performers, but they also dance ballroom and have a tendency to be a tad extravagant in everything they do!

[IsabellaCruella]

but the other day I saw a couple doing some pretty racy stuff at a milonga.

Does overtly sexy tango have a place on a social dancefloor or should it be left to the performers?

I thought it was great (actually I was just a bit jealous that I can't dance like that), but some of the other folks there were appalled.

It sounds wonderful. I am lovin it.
hey and Where can people go to find excellent tango clubs? or lessons?

[rob]

:twisted: im horny and i want u to be my ballroom dancer baby :twisted: :shock:

[Hypernessness]

whoa rob....ok thats strange
anyways: really extravagant Tango looks slightly out of place on a crowded dance floor, as it is an, lets say, exhibitionist dance were the focus should be on the couple doing it. as most of you should know, Tango originated in the private bedrooms of argentina *wink wink*

but if its a more 'toned down' tango, id say its ok for the dancefloor.

[newbie]

Or better said:
As you should know, one cliché about tango is that it originated in Buenos-Aires private beds.

[bordertangoman]

I think the sexy and the sultry should be more subtle.....

I've experienced some wonderful tangos where nothing is different... except the feeling, the tension, the electricity; the passion; the connection.

[Hypernessness]

Or better said:
As you should know, one cliché about tango is that it originated in Buenos-Aires private beds.

yes yes well, im only 13 mmkay?

[ReneeJoan]

The answer, like so many things about dancing is, "Yes, it is," -- except when it's not.

Tango is many things -- a social dance, an artistic discipline, a story telling art, a spiritual experience. And so many things come together when you dance tango -- how you are feeling at that moment, the emotions you are trying to express, the music, the things the music is saying to you, your partner, the communion and communication between you, the things your partner is trying to express, how he is feeling at that moment about you and about the music and about the dance, your level of technical skill, the inspiration flowing from Dionysus Himself, the spiritual communion of the group at a milonga. Which means that at every moment, the tango is a fresh creation. And some times that artistic creation can come together in a way that is nothing short of thermonuclear. The emotions, the connection, the music, the skill, the inherent beauty of the dance. It's what drew me to tango in the first place -- the first night I went to a milonga, I saw a young couple -- it had to have been either Sandor and Parissa, or Miriam and Hugo, all former dancers from Forever Tango -- and what they did that night changed me forever. I had never seen anything so sexy, so hot, so erotic, so sensual, so sexual, so sublimely beautiful. There isn't a director in Hollywood who has ever been able to create a love scene more electrifying that what I saw that night. Yes, when tango is right, there are no words for it. There is only the music, your partner, and the dance floor. And when it all comes together, you will touch the Divine and discover your soul.

[Ashley]

All right, I have to know now; what is Forever Tango?

[ReneeJoan]

Forever Tango is a stage production. It was touring the US and Asia recently.

It's pretty good. I saw it here in April. You can buy videos of one of the past tours.

Renee

[pygmalion]

Hi RJ. Long time, no see. Glad you're back. :D

[chachachacat]

The answer, like so many things about dancing is, "Yes, it is," -- except when it's not.

Tango is many things -- a social dance, an artistic discipline, a story telling art, a spiritual experience. And so many things come together when you dance tango -- how you are feeling at that moment, the emotions you are trying to express, the music, the things the music is saying to you, your partner, the communion and communication between you, the things your partner is trying to express, how he is feeling at that moment about you and about the music and about the dance, your level of technical skill, the inspiration flowing from Dionysus Himself, the spiritual communion of the group at a milonga. Which means that at every moment, the tango is a fresh creation. And some times that artistic creation can come together in a way that is nothing short of thermonuclear. The emotions, the connection, the music, the skill, the inherent beauty of the dance. It's what drew me to tango in the first place -- the first night I went to a milonga, I saw a young couple -- it had to have been either Sandor and Parissa, or Miriam and Hugo, all former dancers from Forever Tango -- and what they did that night changed me forever. I had never seen anything so sexy, so hot, so erotic, so sensual, so sexual, so sublimely beautiful. There isn't a director in Hollywood who has ever been able to create a love scene more electrifying that what I saw that night. Yes, when tango is right, there are no words for it. There is only the music, your partner, and the dance floor. And when it all comes together, you will touch the Divine and discover your soul.
So good to see your glowing phoenix once again! You write so beautifully!

[newbie]

-- the first night I went to a milonga, I saw a young couple -- it had to have been either Sandor and Parissa, or Miriam and Hugo, all former dancers from Forever Tango -- and what they did that night changed me forever. I had never seen anything so sexy, so hot, so erotic, so sensual, so sexual, so sublimely beautiful..

Weren't they trying to make people come to their show? Chippendales do that in clubs, too.

[ReneeJoan]

No, whoever it was was not promoting a show. They happened to be there that night, and the host asked them to do an exhibition number -- just giving us an idea of what tango is meant to be. I really don't know who it was -- I'm only guessing. But what I saw made me say to myself, I HAVE to learn how to dance this beautiful dance, no matter how long it takes, how hard I have to work, or how much it costs. Pearl of great price sort of thing.

Renee

[fun]

well, here is my humble opinion on this hot topic. :D

every experienced tango dancer can see fairly soon when a couple executes a choreography where there is virtually no leading (leading in a choreography is in fact contraproductive since it can interfer with the learned step and look really) or if it is improvising.

i personally find that only dances which are at least partly improvised can get the dancing couple into a connection that i would call - well, hot or sensual or fun. a high degree of improvisation in a show is most frequently observed in good and confident argentine tango or salsa dancers.

however, most choreographed performances of argentine tango are not that different from other choreographed dances often envolving an artificial smile or skin colour or equally often in AT no smile showing at least the genuine tiredness after hundreds of rehearsels.

often i find that dancers who just performed a choreography on stage look much better connected and sexy when they improvise later on in the milonga :)

by the way I believe that sensuality can often be invisibly in tango for onlookers and does not require any complicated or flashy movements. think of the flashy spins in LA and New York style Salsa which look sexy to unexperienced onlookers but be not more than routine after the first year for the dancers..

A simple closed embrace tango walk can always be exciting :D

-fun-

[DancePoet]

I saw a couple perform an AT dance recently, and it was all lead follow. No choreography, and it looked super! :D

[DavidL]

Does overtly sexy tango have a place on a social dancefloor or should it be left to the performers?

Why not?

[Ampster]

*Chuckles* This happened to my wife and I last night.

We went to the Ballroom studio that we used to go to. The studio owner knew we were specializing in ArgenTango, and had asked us to do a spotlight demo during the party. So we did.

We did a slooow ArgenTango to Piazzolla's "Oblivion." It was all impromtu, free-form, and improvised.

When we were done, I snapped out of the "Tango zone" I and my wife were in, and all we could see were eyes almost popping out of their sockets and jaws hanging. I guess our old ballroom buddies, and new students had never seen an AT before and didn't know how to react to it.

It was a tad warm in the studio when we were done though ;)

[Sagitta]

well, here is my humble opinion on this hot topic. :D
by the way I believe that sensuality can often be invisibly in tango for onlookers and does not require any complicated or flashy movements. think of the flashy spins in LA and New York style Salsa which look sexy to unexperienced onlookers but be not more than routine after the first year for the dancers..

-fun-

Flashy spins etc looking sensual/sexy or cool/excited? Big difference between the two. I find many inexperienced onlookers usually upon questioned really think exciting etc..

[Sagitta]

*Chuckles* This happened to my wife and I last night.

We went to the Ballroom studio that we used to go to. The studio owner knew we were specializing in ArgenTango, and had asked us to do a spotlight demo during the party. So we did.

We did a slooow ArgenTango to Piazzolla's "Oblivion." It was all impromtu, free-form, and improvised.

When we were done, I snapped out of the "Tango zone" I and my wife were in, and all we could see were eyes almost popping out of their sockets and jaws hanging. I guess our old ballroom buddies, and new students had never seen an AT before and didn't know how to react to it.

It was a tad warm in the studio when we were done though ;)

Wow!! That you danced with your wife must have made it extra special. :-)

[Ampster]

Wow!! That you danced with your wife must have made it extra special. :-)

It was Sublime... ;) :D

[JonD]

........ asked us to do a spotlight demo during the party. So we did.

We did a slooow ArgenTango to Piazzolla's "Oblivion." It was all impromtu, free-form, and improvised.
Spooky! Julie and I got roped into doing the same thing, also to Oblivion, at a party on Saturday night. Normally I hate that kind of thing - I'm really uncomfortable dancing for "display". But, as the first notes of Oblivion filled the room I shut my eyes, relaxed and we just danced. I don't know what it looked like but it felt just marvellous. The floor was sticky and I was wearing street shoes so we kept it simple - just very connected and soft and slow, nothing too dramatic. There was a brief silence after the music died away before the applause started and then the DJ said "Wow, was that sexy or what" over the microphone so I guess it was OK. We were on a "Tango high" for the rest of the evening - it turned out to be a great party!

[Andrew Dancer]

Many dancers are aware of onlookers. Tango dancers tend to be involved only with each other. Some of us tango dancers view spectators as voyeurs. We are in an intimate moment. It's nobody's business but ours. If the viewer doesn't like what they see, they should not watch us.

[Twilight_Elena]

Many dancers are aware of onlookers. Tango dancers tend to be involved only with each other. Some of us tango dancers view spectators as voyeurs. We are in an intimate moment. It's nobody's business but ours. If the viewer doesn't like what they see, they should not watch us.

As a strictly ballroom/salsa girl with no AT experience other than the basic step and a couple of ochos, I really enjoy watching AT dancers because everything is so incredibly different from anything I'm doing. It fascinates me. I think it can be very intimate, and I always feel awkward watching a couple that seems very intimate. But most are not so connected, so it's a matter of watching other things such as technique.

Twilight Elena

[Joe]

Many dancers are aware of onlookers. Tango dancers tend to be involved only with each other. Some of us tango dancers view spectators as voyeurs. We are in an intimate moment. It's nobody's business but ours. If the viewer doesn't like what they see, they should not watch us.
You don't wanna be watched while doing something, don't do it in public.

[Andrew Dancer]

Joe,
It's not a question of not wanting to be watched as much as it's about the watchers being offended. I don't care if people watch.

Regarding "don't do it in public".... Some of my most memorable tango moments have been in private situations. However, part of the thrill of tango is to dance with many partners and strangers. It's very exciting to dance so intimately with someone who you never met before. You don't know her name. You don't know anything about her yet you are lovers for three or four minutes.

If you can tell me how to get a half dozen beautiful women who I have never met to come to my place to dance tango with me, I'll happily stay home. Otherwise, the faint hearted will have to put up with our passion in public.

[Joe]

Oh, hey, in that case, if someone doesn't want to be offended by watching your dancing, THEY SHOULDN'T WATCH! :)

[Andrew Dancer]

Exactly!!!