Tango

Argentinian-Uruguayan partner dance

The Tango is a dance which was created in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The musical style that was created with the dance is also called 'tango'. It is danced today in two versions. Neither version is 'better' than the other; they are rather different in style.

A couple dances Argentine tango. Notice the space between the partners in this style
This is a ballroom tango. The style of ballroom dancing is "One big idea: two people dancing as one"
A social tango at a charity event

Argentine tango

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The first tango dances and music was called tango criollo, or simply tango. Today, there are various tango dance styles, including Argentine tango, Uruguayan tango, and vintage tangos. The Argentine tango is probably closer to that originally danced in Argentina and Uruguay, though no details survive of its original form.

International tango

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The tango is a standard dance in international ballroom dancing. This version was developed in England before WWII, mainly as a result of the work of Monsieur Pierre, a French dance teacher who lived in London.

The Tango is now danced in international competitions to a style first set out in English ballroom texts and regulations.[1][2]

Other sources

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  • Thompson, Robert Farris 2005. Tango: the art history of love. Knopf, New York. ISBN 978-1400095797.
Thomson is Professor of Art at Yale University. He started his career with an article on Afro-Cuban dance and music published in 1958, and has devoted his life to the art history of the Afro-Atlantic world.
  • Collier, Simon and Artemis Cooper 2007. Â ¡Tango!: the dance, the song, the story. Thames & Hudson, London. ISBN 978-0500279793
  • Denniston, Christine 2007. The meaning of tango: the story of the Argentinian dance. Anova. ISBN 978-1906032166

Other websites

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  • Basic figures in the International version of the tango. The demonstrators are Marcus and Karen Hilton, nine times World Professional Ballroom Champions. [1]
  • Basic tango demo by Mirko and Alessia. [2]
  • Basic tango hold and style, by Andy & Wendy, The Grand Ballroon, Richmond, British Columbia. [3]
How Tango Conquered the World

References

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  1. Silvester, Victor. 1993. Modern ballroom dancing. London.
  2. Moore, Alex 2002. Ballroom Dancing, 10th edition, London.