Learn To Tango Like A Silver Screen Star

By Author: Rio Spelling
Total Articles: 3
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The Tango dance style has become globally famous – not surprisingly, since it is one of the sexiest, most powerful dances one could witness. As a fan of professional choreographer Craig Revel Horwood, I must add that I can only dream of watching him do this dance to perfection!
This guide will give you an essential overview of the stunning Tango dance genre, and hopefully inspire you to take it up with your partner.
History of Tango
The Tango originated in South America in the early twentieth century. Originally performed only by women, once it spread into Argentina it developed into a romantically powerful dance for couples. To this day, Argentine Tango retains the intimacy of the original dance compared to Modern Tango.
In addition, Tango music has become one of the most popular of all music genres – it was introduced to the New World by Spanish settlers.
Most Popular Tango Styles
Many beginners will be surprised to discover how many different Tango styles there are, each differing in tempo and basic dance movements. ...
... There are two main categories of Tango however - close embrace and open embrace.
Here is an overview of the main styles:
Tango Orillero
The term orillero means "Tango from the outskirts of the city." This style can be danced in either the open or close embrace, however it’s generally performed in open embrace so that both dancers have the space to make steps outside of the embrace. Many people agree that orillero-style Tango is one of the easiest to master.
Tango Salon
Salon-style Tango is generally danced with an upright body position, in either the close or open categories. It is characterised by both partners focussing on their own axis, and by maintaining a flexible embrace that allows for rotations of the hips.
Tango Milonguero
This type of Tango is most often danced in a close embrace, with a slightly leaning posture. Partners must maintain constant upper body contact, even during turns. This embrace is often referred to as Apilado.
Club Tango
A mixture of the Salon and Milonguero styles, Club Tango is danced with an upright posture and in a close embrace, but with partners loosening the embrace during turns.
Ballroom Tango
Ballroom Tango originated from Argentine styles, but was later modified to fit into the category of ballroom dancing. This form of Tango incorporates different techniques compared to the smooth Argentine dancing. It is also considered one of the easiest of the ballroom dance styles, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Ballroom tango can be divided into two categories - American Style and International Style. Each of these are performed as a social and competitive dance, however the International Style tends to be most often used in ballroom competitions.
Tango Canyengue
This is a historical form of the Tango that originated in the 1920's and 1930's. The style is danced with partners in close embrace. Body movements are exaggerated in order to highlight small steps, with dancers typically moving with slightly bent knees to facilitate this.
Tango Nuevo
Tango Nuevo, translated as New Tango, was developed following careful analysis of the basic structural movements of Tango dance movements, which resulted in the discovery of new step combinations. Tango Nuevo is danced in an open, loose embrace in an upright posture, with each dancer maintaining their own axis.
Show Tango
Also called Fantasia, this type of style is danced in Tango stage shows. Fantasia combines several different Tango styles and is danced in open embrace. It is also characterised by exaggerated movements and extra dance elements that are not usually associated with basic social Tango.
Conclusion
From the intimate embraces of the Argentinean method to the more formal elegance of the Ballroom variant, the Tango stands out to people around the world as one of the most sensual and stunning dance styles ever created. And now that the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing is underway, let’s hope to see the Tango performed by some of the contestants – with enough practise, they’re sure to get the thumbs up for once from Craig Revel Horwood!
Author Bio:Rio Spelling is a choreography and dance enthusiast