Close Embrace Tango Teachers

In Paris the number of teachers peaked to 160 at some point (much less now)
Of them, two were close-embrace. One was teaching close-embrace right from the start, the other one from the second year on.
ALL the women from France I have met in tango in my 16 years of experience in tango, dance closed embrace. I never asked the city where they learned. If I do not see previously her closed embrace dancing with other guys in the milonga, I would not likely pay much attention to her or cabeceo her. I have never been in France.
 
I also recommend Eva & Pablo. They are among the visiting teachers that teach & dance in the "close embrace" style ...
I lost sight of the milonguero movement meanwhile. For me the introduction of the Campeonato Mundial in 2003 and the recognition of the Tango as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2009 forced this style into the background, as Escenario and Urquiza (aka Salón) dominated the public perception. Milonguero style (aka Apilado, del Centro, Confitería) was considered rather kind of mean urban folklore. But Susana Miller, Mónica Paz and María Plazaola seem not to have given up. Alone Carlos Espinoza hasn't so far undone his conversion to the salón style.
 
I lost sight of the milonguero movement meanwhile. For me the introduction of the Campeonato Mundial in 2003 and the recognition of the Tango as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2009 forced this style into the background, as Escenario and Urquiza (aka Salón) dominated the public perception. Milonguero style (aka Apilado, del Centro, Confitería) was considered rather kind of mean urban folklore. But Susana Miller, Mónica Paz and María Plazaola seem not to have given up. Alone Carlos Espinoza hasn't so far undone his conversion to the salón style.
That's great news! The bridges break behind me and at some point I will be able to dance in close embrace, largely without much competition. Let's not kid ourselves, many tangueras can be won over very quickly. :cool:

I had perceived the Campeonato Mundial as an attempt to re-center the tango in Argentina. Let's wait and see if that was not thrown far back by a pandemic.
 
I had perceived the Campeonato Mundial as an attempt to re-center the tango in Argentina. Let's wait and see if that was not thrown far back by a pandemic.
I see Campeonato Mundial as an attempt to bring cash to the battered and mismanaged Argentine economy. It is 90% for foreigners who actually believe escenrio is tango, and who say to enjoy it. Ask any old milonguer@ in a real milonga in Buenos Aires (like El Beso, Los Consagrados, Cachirulo and the like) about the so called “campeonato”, and most people are not even aware of it. Milonga hosts and some milonguer@s become aware because of the presence of many tourists in the local real milongas.
Argentines competing in the event, see the "campeonato" as a chance to promote themselves and give a big leap forward to the US and European markets. Adapting their style and lessons to the desires of the US, Europe and foreign consumers, usually throwing away flavor and authenticity., .
 
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I see Campeonato Mundial as an attempt to bring cash to the battered and mismanaged Argentine economy.
What's wrong with that?
I had perceived the Campeonato Mundial as an attempt to re-center the tango in Argentina. Let's wait and see if that was not thrown far back by a pandemic.
Let's wait and see.

If you don't like it then you don't have to participate or view it.

I don't like the awe cast upon the ballroom AT in shows like Strictly/DWTS. Never figured out what 'World Argentine Dance Show Championships' a couple of professionals claimed to have almost won a few years ago, but hey, it's all dance. Some like it; some don't.

Social AT is as it is today, with local interpretations throughout the world; we can't go back to that mythical 'golden age'; we can't become authentic Argentinian dancers. AT develops - sometimes for the better; sometimes worse. Hopefully we've got beyond the Early Dance, but maybe that was 'authentic' in its time.
 
If you don't like it then you don't have to participate or view it.
Well, I don't like the prevalent style of dancing in the competition, but I still unfortunately have to deal with it because some people in milongas insist on dancing this way. (and you all know I can't be described as conservative)
 
Well, I don't like the prevalent style of dancing in the competition, but I still unfortunately have to deal with it because some people in milongas insist on dancing this way. (and you all know I can't be described as conservative)
I think if you could be described as conservative, then such requests would be brought up to you less often. :cool:

Although for me it is no entirely consistent that I insist on close embrace with zero distance and that others have to adapt if they want to dance with me, while I in general don't adapt to their preferences.

But why should I dance at a distance, if there is not much to me, so I cannot relax and then there is not much to give to others?
 
The only reason i would dance the whole tanda at a distance is if the leader is a beginner and we cannot find a comfortable way to move together in close embrace. Open embrace is more forgiving.
 
I for one vary the style dependent on the music. Apilado with Narcotango would feel strange, doesn't it?
I guess it's because of the times and the music to which you were socialized as a dancer.
If it feels good, then I will dance in close embrace, and otherwise I will not dance.
 
I think if you could be described as conservative, then such requests would be brought up to you less often. :cool:
It's not really to do with my partners, it's the other couples on the floor. I prefer not to have to deal with people doing large jerky moves all the time no matter what music is playing, it's annoying.
I for one vary the style dependent on the music. Apilado with Narcotango would feel strange, doesn't it?
I think Narcotango and a lot of the other slower modern music is better suited to smooth, intimate, mostly close embrace than open.
 
..slower modern music is better suited to smooth, intimate, mostly close embrace..
Of course, but it is very much a matter of your personal preference. But I also see the music in terms of the time in which it was created and what style the target group danced. Guardia vieja requires canyengue. Tango in salón style would not suit d‘Arienzo's music. Apilado would feel strange to Pugliese. And the crowd that danced to Narcotango of course followed Chicho's first style.
 
I prefer not to have to deal with people doing large jerky moves all the time no matter what music is playing, it's annoying.
I totally agree.... it’s incredibly annoying to dance next to a couple (or Lead) that doesn’t know how to take small steps....
 

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