May I Have This Dance??
Shouldn’t we as dancers represent our dance, on, off and near the dance floor? I believe we should.  Not only cherishing our presence, but the tradition and the culture we are striving to mirror. At a traditional Milonga there is a code of ethics we follow when pursuing our partners for the night. First there is the invitation. It may seem subtle, but it is liberating, and allows all the comfort of choice while not hurting anyone’s pride with rejection. That is the cabeco. This is when from our seat we scan the room for our Tanda choice. Ah, there he, or she is. We then boldly glance at our target, and wait for them to glance back. We then gesture with our head towards the dance floor. If the response is a smile, and acknowledgement, we may choose to meet half way or gallantly offer an escort to the floor. How lovely and freeing a choice can be. No one gets hurt, disappointed or angry when the glance is not returned, we never know if the person saw us or decided to ignore the glance for the moment. When we are sitting talking with someone or enjoying a small sip of wine or nibbling on an appetizer, it is just disheartening when someone interrupts us, even if it is kindly by offering their arm.  We are all here to dance and enjoy the evening, let’s make it the best it can be by considering everyone’s pleasure with respect and consideration.
We care about your dancing enjoyment at Argentine Tango Detroit
Lori Burton-Kassinhttp://www.argentinetangodetroit.com

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Argentine Tango and Ballroom Dance in Mich: Tango...The Connection

Argentine Tango and Ballroom Dance in Mich: Tango...The Connection: Tango…The connection When I was traveling and teaching seminars to different students, I would often ask the question, “If you could ...

Tango...The Connection

Tango…The connection

When I was traveling and teaching seminars to different students, I would often ask the question, “If you could describe Tango, and what it means to you in one word, what would that word be?” I received many answers:

Romance, seduction, sensuality, were on the top of many lists, but the answers were very diverse, as mathematics was one answer I received. Tango can mean many things, different for each individual. I find being able to form a connection with another person, it could be romantic, caring, comforting, or an exchange of deep feelings towards someone, regardless it is letting oneself be lost in each other for those 2-3 minutes that entices me.

The connection was once expressed as an exchange of small angels fluttering back and forth between the couple. A deep soulful connection is what I long for. Here is to finding one for all who walk through our doors.

Lori Burton-Kassin

http://www.argentinetangodetroit.com

Argentine Tango and Ballroom Dance in Mich: Shall we dance.....

Argentine Tango and Ballroom Dance in Mich: Shall we dance.....

What makes a good Tango DJ?

What makes a good Tango DJ….

First and foremost, this is a personal choice. It is impossible to please every Tango dancer in any venue. There are some should and should not’s, but when artistic, creative efforts are involved, do we really want to limit the DJ?

Yes, it is nice to have tandas and cortinas, they make the evening flow and are the traditional enhancements that we all follow and appreciate. They can make the transition from one partner to the next easy and graceful.

To play Nuevo, alternative, or non-traditional music is really the DJ’s choice. Everyone has preferences, and if the DJ takes the peoples input into consideration, he may change the evenings dynamics for best, or worse, but it is his choice and artistic freedom we ultimately value.

The good DJs go to a lot of preparation for an event. They organize, collect, and study the atmosphere of the venue. It is sometimes exhaustive work and study. When a dancer flows by and makes a request, it is difficult for the DJ to interrupt a program and instantly change direction. Perhaps requesting some “type” of music for another evening is more appreciated.

Regardless of your tastes and experience, we should all tip our sombreros to these wonderful people whom we couldn’t dance without, who are sometimes playing and working just for our simple dancing pleasure. They deserve our kindness and respect.

Argentine Tango and Ballroom Dance in Mich: Shall we dance.....

Argentine Tango and Ballroom Dance in Mich: Shall we dance.....

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Shall we dance.....

What makes one choose a partner for that 9-12 minute Tanda or set on the dance floor? We enter the room and scan to see the dancers. Their flow, grace and abilities. In our mind we choose and dream who will be a special partner tonight.... The reality is we can grow from dancing with each and everyone of them. If they exceed our abilities, the process is obvious, with osmosis we gain experience. But what about those we may consider beneath our skill level? How about learning to adapt to your partner? We can not control others, but learning to adjust and control your movements to enhance the partnership is one of the most important gains on the dance floor. Let us also look at your "dance bank" shouldn't you make deposits into your account by dancing with lower level dancers to earn the right to dance with the others above you? Not to mention helping the community by making the evening enjoyable for all, encouraging the new dancers to continue, so the floor eventually becomes an oasis of experienced, lovely, and gracious dancers.