Want to be able to dance confidently and feel comfortable in traditional milongas of Buenos Aires?
Our teaching develops your musicality, connection, technique & improvisation with social tango, as well as insights into tango culture and critical skills to build your confidence with milonga etiquette.



Saturday 13 July 2013

That Buenos Aires embrace #2

Ask a seasoned social tango dancer what they look for in a dance partner, and it should come as no surprise that a good embrace will normally feature in their response.

Recently, a very experienced tanguero friend remarked - with a palpable degree of nostalgia - how different the tango embrace of porteñas is, as compared to most Europeans, North Americans, etc. (I was relieved when he conceded that there were notable exceptions!) He felt that their embrace “helped create an atmosphere for a brief 3 minute love affair”.  They surrender - body & soul - to their partner for the duration of the tango.
This embrace can take various forms: left arm over his right shoulder reaching to his left shoulder; left arm around his right upper arm reaching around his back; etc.  It’s not a one-size-fits-all embrace. It has to feel comfortable for both dancers, and not compromise axis nor freedom of movement. Heights & body shapes will affect the embrace, but it should feel like a complete embrace. A word of caution: the lady’s left elbow jutting out like a sharp weapon is a definite no, no – especially on a crowded floor. 

Jantango went to the trouble of compiling quite a comprehensive series of photos of ladies’ embraces & commentary: How do you hug your dance partner? part 1, part 2 and part 3. Can you see yourself there?
And how do these embraces work? Here’s a selection of embraces in action at Lujos, one of our favourite Buenos Aires milongas



Just a final thought: I find that a memorable embrace is not only physical. It feels like your partner is 100% in tune with you. In this age of multiple distractions, isn’t that something to be treasured?
Gentlemen, what type of embrace you prefer?

PP

Monday 8 July 2013

Milonga Para los Niños wrap-up

 
It was a great milonga with such a positive vibe and lots of good dancing, and to top it off, we raised $2,300!

And that's not all.  Lucy and Frank's Gitano Milonga preceded by a Gypsy Bread-Making Workshop in May raised $1,000.

The Para los Niños foundation which supports  the two foster homes (Civil Los Horneros and Hogar Siand) will shortly be transferring those much-needed funds to BsAs. $3,300 will make such a difference in the building plans of the foster homes.

Here's a Youtube video of Hogar Siand and some photos we took of both homes during a visit in May.

We're so proud to be part of such a supportive tango community. Well done, Adelaide!


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