Tango Wilmington

2008-07-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

Get a Kick Out of Tango

This is the slowest, clearest set of basic ganchos you're going to find. Watch especially how the man takes his time and the woman doesn't hurry either.

And nobody's doing a backbend to make it happen. Easy stuff.

And for all those who are curious about milonga (the fast, polka-like version of tango), here's a nice song called Milonga de carnival.
Enjoy!

2008-06-02T15:10:00.000-07:00

Refresher and Rivero

Here's a video for those who want a refresher. Fabian Salas and his partner run through an easy exercise that works on the basic walking skills.
The closeups of the feet, the easy instruction and -- yes -- the repetition will really help clear up any problems.
And here's Salas and Carolina del Rivero showing you where all this practice can take you. Beautiful.

2008-05-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Front Voleo Combined With Back Gancho

This is a very pretty combination that looks especially impressive on the dance floor, and, if everyone's willing, we can give it a try.

Check out the front voleo and back gancho here done in super slow motion.

The one drawback: Your German had better be sharp if you want to understand the narrative. The plus: Turn off the speakers; you don't need to listen to the dancer.

2008-04-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Ocho Adornos for the Woman

We were experimenting with ocho cortados the other week, and the follower can do quite a bit of "styling" when it comes to this move. Watch Lisette's feet as she moves around Homer's axis.

If you're still working on the basics, scroll to the bottom of this blog for instant video lessons in walking and partner connection.

2008-04-06T14:42:00.000-07:00

Woman-on-Man Voleo

Here's the video for the voleo that's instigated by the woman . My apologies to Tim; I remembered this as starting from a sandwich, and it actually takes off from a secada. Oh, well, no one fell, and maybe with a few more glasses of wine, it may have become a new move.

No wonder it felt awkward.

Also, tango is all about the yin and yang of partners. Most of the real fun of tango comes when you start to play with the music and with your partner. What does that mean?

Take a look at how Alex and Luz dance this slow tango. Notice how they both take their time.
Enjoy -- and try it!

2008-03-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Sandwich and Double Gancho

Ignore the fact that this video is in Spanish; this couple shows a very clear variation on the "sandwich" that features not one gancho, but two – inside and outside.
It looks great, and you've already got the basics down.

Here's a refresher on how to do a "sandwich."

Beginners: Scroll to the bottom of this blog; you'll see three "instant" videos that have to do with posture, walking and basic moves.

2008-03-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

Leg Wraps Made Easy

Many were curious about leg wraps. Here is an excellent demo from Homer and Cristina, showing (slowly, thank you very much) how to do this fairly simple move.

Notice the woman is always on her own balance; she's not really leaning on the man almost at all.

2008-03-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Woman's Embellishment / Man's Barrida

Some of the women have asked about embellishments, which are little moves a woman makes to add some spice to whatever move the man is asking for.
Here's a nice closeup of the feet at work as the woman does "caricias," or a movement where the woman "caresses" her own leg.

Be careful if you want to try these moves, however. Notice the woman's legs – and her heels – are always very close, and, when she takes a step, her toe is always reaching forward on the ground. The object is not to move outside of your own space on the dance floor – it's dangerous for other people.

Now, a little something for the men. Here is a nice video on how to do a barrida, where the man
"drags" the woman's foot on the dance floor. It's very easy and looks great.

2008-03-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

Playing With Ocho Cortado

There's nothing like playing with the basic ocho cortado to make an interesting statement on the dance floor.

The most important thing? Don't be afraid to play with the moves; your partner will be delighted!

2008-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

Beginner Stops; The Organic Sacada

The Organic Back Sacada from Homer and Cristina Ladas. Doesn't it all look so easy when the experts do it?

A word of caution about the back sacada: No matter how easy they make it look, this is a move for those who have rock solid balance and know how to avoid kicking their partner.

For beginners (at least the start of the video is), here's a demo of many different kinds of "stops," "catches" and "grabs." Much of this is easy enough for beginners, and it all looks terrific on the dance floor.

2008-02-28T16:48:00.000-08:00

Simple Sacadas

This is a nice video (OK, it's not Spielberg ...) showing in detail how to do simple sacadas, which is where the man displaces the woman's foot or leg. Master these techniques in the beginning, and the teacher also goes on to show a few variations, some of which can be quite flashy.

And here is the same teacher going
more intensely into the placement of the woman.

Give it a shot!

2008-01-27T13:03:00.000-08:00

Perfect for Beginners ...

... and a nice refresher for everyone else.

Here's a great video of tango lessons called Tango From the Heart that takes you from the basic walk and embrace into the cruzada (cross) and other moves. The explanations are exhaustively detailed, so, even if you've only had one lesson, you'll be able to pick everything up very quickly.

For those who were wondering about the quick, polka-like dance some of us go into when the fast music plays, here's a video that shows you the basic steps (so you can get out there on the dance floor and milonga right along with us!).

2008-01-22T09:34:00.000-08:00

Wrap It Up!

This is a really wonderful demo that shows the leg wrap, a really nice (and not that hard) move that looks beautiful on the dance floor.

Homer Ladas, a teacher who is sometimes in this area, gives an explanation in the beginning, and then he and partner, Christina, do a long demonstration with a lot of variations on the basic move.

2008-01-10T17:33:00.000-08:00

Half Turn with a Figure 8

Even though this lesson in Medio Giro con Ocho, where the man and woman mutually turn in a circle around each other, is in Spanish, it doesn't matter.

It's clearly photographed, easy to follow – and the best part – it's mostly in sloooooow motion, so you can see every single thing the dancers do.

2007-12-27T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Man's Moves

In case you were wondering why the woman gets all those flashy moves and it seems the man has to take a back seat … here's a nice video that shows a few embellishments the man can do without a lot of effort on his part, yet they still look soooo cool and controlled.

And here's a popular little song by Libertad Lamarque (she's the singer who hightailed it out of Argentina when Eva Duarte stole her boyfriend, Juan Peron) called Y todavía te quiero (And Yet I Love You). How can you resist a song whose lyrics are so tango-masochistic?

"Why?
If you lie once
If you lie twice
And you keep lying
Why?
Do I come back to embrace you
Do I come back to kiss you
Although you make me suffer?"

2007-11-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

Tango in Red

Here's how the big boys do it. Take a peek at this dance solo done by the lady in red in Carlos Saura's Tango. Note how sharp and crisp her leg movement is.

Enjoy

2007-11-08T15:59:00.000-08:00

Traspie - and then some ...

This video may not have the production qualities -- or the dance along the Seine -- of Sally Potter's Tango, but it does show pretty well how to do a nice showy traspie (like a rock step that can't make up its mind), and shows this couple in both simple and complex-looking moves.

Give it a shot!

2007-09-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

El Beso

The sound is not so good on this one, but the video is clear, and it's easy to see what's going on. This move El Beso: Sacadas combinadas y encadenadas is just a simply set of steps, but the leader continually inserts his foot in the woman's space, and the results -- turning, opportunity for the woman to indulge in a bit of embellishment -- look intricate and beautiful.

Simple enough for beginners, but even the experienced will find something here.

2007-09-15T04:57:00.000-07:00

The Flip

The castigada, which is a fancy way of saying the woman flips her leg up, makes a little turn and hops over the man's foot. It looks very pretty, and it's not at all complicated. Give it a try!"

2007-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Foot Frills

Nothing looks better on the dance floor than a woman who knows how to use her feet.

Here's a video showing several adornos by the woman. Keep an eye on the tiny quick movements and also be aware of how she varies the speed of her movement. Not everything is done quickly in tango.

Enjoy

2007-07-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Back, Around and Down

Here is a nifty set of moves involving a turn and a man's flourish that, in this lesson, are nicely broken down.
Beginners may be a little intimidated, but you never know what you can do till you try.

Here's the Giro con rulo.
Have fun!

2007-07-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

Men in Reverse

This one looks really easy, but there's a bit of finesse for the man in leading the woman out of the cross and keeping the balance while making a flourish.

Here's the Recule en 5 all nicely broken down.

Enjoy!

2007-07-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

Eight to the Barre

This lesson features an ocho by the lady and a secada by the gentleman, which is just fancy for saying the woman swirls backwards as the man puts his foot in between hers.
Beginners - don't be afraid. It looks more complex than what it is, and this lesson breaks down all moves, so it's easy to follow along.
Enjoy!

2007-06-29T13:45:00.001-07:00

Full Frontal Turn

Here's a nifty little move that will add some spice to that forward motion. It's called Cambio de frente, and it's a move where the man changes places with the woman in a tight little turn.

Give it a shot!

2007-06-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Turning the Half Moon

The moon's always shining its light in tango, especially when it's a half moon -- the classic media luna where the man turns as the woman does an ocho.
Don't be intimidated the first time you watch this video. The teachers break down every move so you can follow easily.

2007-06-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Fancy Footwork and a Turn

Here's a nice video of a move called the Caida Sobre la Mujer. That's fancy for saying the man puts his foot behind the other instead of out to the side, and then leads the woman to a cross in front of him.

This is a move that beginners will find easy (although it looks very cool and complex). Give it a shot!

2007-06-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Sandwich With a Hook

You already know how to do the "sandwich" -- now try it with a gancho!
Here's the video.

Have fun!

2007-05-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

Embellishment for the Man and Woman

At first glance this lesson seems a bit advanced, but if you take each piece on its own and practice it, you can build into this very cool move in a fairly short time.

It's called Rulo con sacada and castigada, but don't let all that intimidate you. It's just a fancy way of saying the man swirls his own foot around before he sticks it between the woman's feet, and then the woman does a fancy move herself.

Give it a shot!

2007-05-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

En Tus Brazos

Nobody combines tragedy, poignancy and soaring joy like the French. This
video takes animation to a whole new level. Even if you hate animation, you'll love this one.
And keep the Kleenix handy.

2007-04-22T15:42:00.000-07:00

Sandwiches, Anyone?

Here's the video lesson on how to do the "sandwich" where the man captures the woman's foot, and she then steps over his outstretched leg. This video takes each step slowly and breaks everything down for the beginner. Very nice.

2007-04-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

Back Ochos, Anyone?

Here's a great beginners lesson on the back ocho. The narration will walk you through it, and the dancers break each step down. It's great!

2007-04-08T08:31:00.000-07:00

Basic Lesson Video

Talk about the Internet being the greatest freebie on the planet -- here's a great beginners video on how to approach your partner, how to stand, posture, how the knees are flexed and then it goes into what the man's role is and what the woman's role is. It doesn't get any better than this.

2007-04-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

Easter Tango

Yep, we're still dancing tonight, and we look forward to seeing you.
In the meantime, check out this amazing lesson in how to do a forward ocho. Everything is taken slowly and explained very clearly by a narrator.

2007-04-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

Great View of Footwork

Here's a video that's mostly done in mid-range, so you can really see how the dancers are moving. Here's the video.

In the latter half of the video, there are especially good views of how the woman can be very sensuous with her footwork.

Enjoy!

2007-03-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

Tango from the Movies

The film quality is a bit smeary, but it's an interesting take on doing tango to modern music. Here's the tango from the Moulin Rouge to the tune of a very gravelly voiced Roxanne.

Enjoy.

2007-03-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Cumparsita

Fall down laughing funny, this pair is like what happens if you pair Groucho Marx with one of the Andrews Sisters and throw them into the tango fray.

2007-03-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

At the Feet of Tango

If you've ever wondered how the woman's footwork is supposed to look, here's a great video that really shows the footwork close up.

Note how the woman's stiletto heels almost never touch the floor. Note also how flexible and serpent-like her feet are as they wind around the man's feet and legs.

2007-03-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

From the movie Tango

Here's a nice Cumparsita from the movie Tango. The film quality is a bit smeary, but it's a closer look at the dancers than concert videos, and you can get a better idea about their connection and see better the embellishments each partner adds.

2007-03-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

La Cumparsita

Just when you thought there was nothing more to be done with that old chestnut, La Cumparsita, here comes Juan Carlos Copes and Johana Copes to show us there's still life in the old tune.

2007-03-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

Juan Carlos Copes

Here's a great video of Juan Carlos Copes and Johana Copes that shows what a master can do with veeeeery slow music.

And fast. There's a lot of nice variety in this video.

2007-03-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

How the Pros Do It

Here's a simply amazing video of Natacha Poberaj and Jesus Velasquez.

The most amazing part: In the first half of the video, most of what they are doing can be done by you right now. The difference between them and us, of course, is the crispness they bring to the steps. Notice how straight the woman's leg are when she moves backward.

The second half of the video shows why they're on this video! Breathtaking!

2007-03-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

Leading Ladies of Tango

Here's a nice trailer that will give you a taste of how much fun tango can be.

2007-03-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Anyone for Ochos?

Every Sunday at the Unity Church on Orchard:

7:30 p.m. a beginners lesson followed by a tango dance.