Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Tango Through Time

By Genevieve Lacoste


The Tango originates back to the times of Africa slavery, primarily in Haiti, Cuba and Argentina. It was usually performed by women only, but it soon became a dance for couples to express their love and romance for one another. Both the music and the dance have always been pretty passionate and erotic. Interestingly, it is the early Tango styles that very much influence the way we interpret the dance today.

With the dawn of the twentieth century, Tango soon began to spread throughout Europe. As with most new phenomena, it was first adopted in France and it wasn't until 1912 that it crossed the channel to our little England. It was held in such high regard by both the French and the British that 'Tango teas' soon became the craze, offering a shimmer of light in an otherwise miserable, war crazed era.

There are several different styles when it comes to 'dancing the Tango'; however, they do all have one common feature and that is their intense and seductive nature. Moreover, they all involve performing closely with your partner, ensuring that you visually remain 'connected' to each other (this may entail the joining of bodies, either at the chest or the hip area). The one style that everyone seems to know is 'Ballroom Tango', a version of the dance characterised by strong and dramatic head snaps.

Tango has remained as popular as ever during the twenty first century too with various TV programs and films being developed around the dance. Off the top of my head, I can think of several films that showcase the Tango, we have Scent of a Woman, Take the Lead, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, True Lies, Shall We Dance, and Frida. In terms of TV, Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have dazzled audiences for six series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing with their stunning Tango routines. Subsequently, they have created their own live show, Midnight Tango , a breathtaking evening bringing all the excitement, sensuality and grace of this most exhilarating dance form to life.

If Tango is a secret passion of yours then why not have a look for a class near you. Tango classes are lots of fun and newcomers tend to pick up the dance quickly. Private member's club, Home House of Portman Square, frequently put on Tango evenings for members, of which they can bring one guest along with them. If you are looking to partake in a Tango session at Home House, you'll love learning about its culture and going beyond the steps to explore Tango music and its milongas. It will be like attending one of those incredible Tango teas, where everything comes together like magic and you end up dancing the night away!




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