Tango Dance Classes

Tango is a form of dance that was created in response to a style of music in Argentina and Uruguay. Many variations of the dance have since been established all over the world. Argentina and Uruguay continue to be the center place of the dance. These are usually considered to be the original forms of the dance. Ballroom styles hail from America and the International communities. Finnish style is another popular style. In 2009 the dance was inducted into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists as a gem of culture.

Just in Argentina there are dozens of styles of tango. These come from different regions of the country and have influences like trends, venues, and fashions. Most styles are danced in open or closed embrace. The lead partner and the follow partner have space between the bodies in the open pose. The closed pose connects the two either at the chest as in Argentine, or at the hip or thigh, as in American and International styles. These different variations include Canyengue, Oriental, Uruguayan, Liso, Salon, Orillero, Camacupense, Milonguero, Nuevo, Finnish, etc. The music used varies greatly as well. In addition to the traditional music, waltz, Milonga, electronic, and alternative styles of music are also used.

Milonguero style is one that is well known because of the showmanship of the dance. It is danced in open style to accommodate for the lifts and intricate footwork that are involved. It is mostly used in theatrical staged shows. It is meant to have the wow factor and is quite entertaining. The Nuevo style tango is the newer form of the dance. It is popular among the younger generation. It is open and complex and influenced by jazz dancing, and alternative styles. Ballroom style is standardized as the International style. It is a fusion of several different varieties that developed as the dance swept through Europe and America.

The English tango is a very competitive dance that is used in ballroom competitions around the world. The American version is a social dance that has emphasis on leading and following skills. These ballroom versions are quite different from the original dances of South America. They are much more staccato and abrupt in style while the Argentina and Uruguay versions are very smooth like the paso doble. Observers love this style of the dance but it is not favored by competition judges in the least.