Doble frente (tango al revés)

[Señor Gancho]

Just wondering how many people like to dance in the doble frente embrace (both partners facing the same way, man standing slightly behind), even just briefly, during a tango?

I like the way it looks, but I imagine it feels awkward for the woman being held from the back and she really has to press the leader's right hand into her hip to maintain the contact, otherwise it's hard for her to read him. I doubt it would be enjoyable to dance an entire tango like this, but even just for a few steps I think it can be fun to play with.

Anybody?

 

[Lilly_of_the_valley]

I love doing that! We mostly do it with my partner, for a performance, when we practice or when the milonga is almost empty. I do not find that position uncomfortable. The contact is maintained more or less the same way as in normal embrace. It is interesting that it is possible to follow that way with almost no difference, and I believe it is a good exercise in lead and follow.

 

[opendoor]

..Anybody?

Hi Señor, doble-frente? Not my cup of tea!!

You may ask why, and I will tell you. But be warned, there are only base motives, not worth discussing because it´s a generation thingy only. When I started tangoing (twas round about 1999) the second generation of tango teachers still were the dominant caste around in my hometown. The second generation was inspired by Todaro, Bravo, and to a lesser amount by Arquimbau, Pugliese, and Dinzels. So when I started I clearly new what my enemies were. I supported the mavericks (milonguero style) and the new wild ones (neotango).

So when you bring up the question of doble-frente, I would suppose that you are a pretty young guy? Today we have a stage revivel. The world spins and after the flamboyant neotango years, and after the following drought period of Villa Urquiza, it´s likely that some weirdos concepts are digged out again.

So far
od

 

[opendoor]

Forgot to say, after all what I´ve read on XKeyScore I would avoid the second word, or do you believe that app does understand english, only?

 

[Señor Gancho]

Forgot to say, after all what I´ve read on XKeyScore I would avoid the second word, or do you believe that app does understand english, only?

Not quite sure what you meant there... . But in response to the comment before that, yes I am a young guy in my twenties. Can you explain why you think doble-frente is a "weirdo" concept?

 

[jantango]

Anton Gazenbeek is keeping it alive in his "acrobatic" performances.



Fine for stage or exhibition, not the milonga.

 

[Señor Gancho]

First of all that dance was a horrendous embarrassment to stage tango . Secondly I don't know why, out of all the examples available, you chose to reference such a weird performance (between two men no less), unless you are deliberately trying to suggest that doble frente is just a daft concept from the land of 'circus tango'?

If you watch this video "Tango by Puppy Castello and Geraldine Rojas", you will see doble frente is not really that freakish and there is no reason why it couldn't be done in a social setting, providing there would be enough space to accommodate the change in embrace and the need to move more slowly.

 

[opendoor]

..that dance was a horrendous embarrassment... trying to suggest that doble frente is just a daft concept from the land of 'circus tango'?

Señor, that was stage tango at it´s best. You must not like it but every tango dancer simply must acknowledge the level of that performance. And Ester Pugliese really is rather peculiar, too. By the way Anton Gazenbeek IS Mr.-doble-frente and THE international spear head and exponent of your (!) style. And honestly, Señor, what else than circus or Disneyland tango is stage tango anyway? Think I replied rather politely to your thread, but now it seems you are still a bit insolent?

 

[opendoor]

Not quite sure what you meant... "weirdo" concept?

Simply brulesque antics.

 

[Señor Gancho]

Stage tango at its best!? Honestly you need to watch some more Tango Mundial competitions if you think this represents the pinnacle of stage tango. Try searching for Melody Celatti and José Fernandez and you'll quickly see that two men prancing around like fairies in a bland routine full of stiff anticipated movements, awkward lifts, and a visibly forced sensuality DOES NOT qualify. So far the only successful male show tango routine I've ever witnessed was danced by the Macana brothers and it worked because it was meant to be comical and focused on tricky musical footwork, not effeminate theatrics.

Anton Gazenbeek may be a proponent of doble frente, but he certainly doesn't represent MY style and this dance in particular couldn't be further from what I like to emulate (which you know nothing about it seems). I referenced Puppi Castello who performs doble frente with a simple elegance that any tanguero would aspire to and has been doing so for much longer than Gazenbeek. Watch it and see the difference.

Also I've no idea why you brought up the late Esther Pugliese as being "peculiar", but I never even mentioned her.

 

[opendoor]

..watch Melody Celatti and José Fernandez...

Good choice, Señor Gancho, I do not question them at all!

 

[Lui]

Double Frente is q classical stage technique and probably as old as tango performances. It’s very useful for any performance situation as it shows both performers faces at the same time. The spectator can read their expressions and understand their characters, relation and motives – given there are some. If you would dance on stage just in your circular path at some point the audience would see the closed side of the couple (in opposite to the more open side where you hold each others hand). That is generally a rather boring sight. This is either avoided by going backward or breaking up the hold, resulting sometimes in a few step Doble Frente. If you look for it you will find it in any major show or movie.

For walking on stage or into a circle of spectators it’s one very practical way to enter as a couple, so you may as well dance a few steps with it.

It works very well with fluid elegant movements, as they give enough way to lead. It’s extremely uncomfortable for minute Milonguero moves, as the woman can really lean back: For one thing the heels are in the way, for another the knees bended away from the partner look extremely stupid.

And at least for me, losing the embrace means losing that “Tango feeling”. I consider it rather unsuited for a social “milonga situation”, but fun to do when fooling around with friends and essential for performing.

 

[Lui]

Maybe, some consider Mr. Gazenbeek as “Mr. Doble Frente”, since he tried to position himself as such by a series of articles and an instructional video. But don’t worry, Mr. Ocho or Mr. Sandwitch are still vacant. You might want to publish something to harden Your claim on “Señor gancho” !

 

[opendoor]

...it´s a generation thingy

Here you can find a demonstration between 18:00 - 19:15

Hope jan could cut in helping to name the dancers in their order of appearence.

for stage.., notmilonga