Exhibition and Evaluation Categories

Tango de Salon

An improvised social dance that is led and followed: Tango danced in a salon or dance hall is distinguishable by a more open embrace but the dancers do not separate during the dance. The flexibility allows the follower to turn more freely and pivot without requiring much independent movement between her hips and torso. All movements are performed within the space allowed by the couple's embrace. Tango de Salon is mildly flashy with sweeps and kicks. The feet may leave the floor but should not exceed knee height. Dancers rotate in counterclockwise direction wtihout interfering with other dancers, keeping to the perimeter whenever possible, never crossing the dance floor.

 

Elements for evaluation in Tango de Salon will include Technique, Elegance, Style and Originality, frame, posture, connection, musical interpretation, artistic lines and smooth transitions.

Milonguero Style

'Milonguero' is also an older term for a skillful and respectful tango dancer who holds a reverence for the type of traditional social tango that is danced at milongas in Buenos Aires. The embrace is close, the focus inward, it is an intimate connection between the partners. Dancing chest to chest the physical connection is sustained throughout the dance which is inspired by the music, improvised, led and followed. The connection is never broken; footwork is precise and restricted to the footprint of the couple while remaining in contact with the floor. All standard moves are reduced in size to accommodate a crowded dance floor but require more precise and delicate attention due to the close proximity. Dancers are courteous, careful and despite a crowded dance floor, they rarely interfere with other dancers.

 

Elements for evaluation in Milonguero Style will include Technique, Elegance, Style and Originality, connection, frame, posture, musical interpretation, artistic lines and smooth transitions.

Tango Nuevo

The recent evolution of Tango, New or Nuevo Tango, refers to a particular open type of embrace, external (centrifugal) energy, off axis movements, occasional separation of partners, playfulness, and modernized musical components of both sound and rhythm. Nuevo Tango will be led and followed although it is understood that certain sequences may be necessarily choreographed.  This genre of tango consumes a greater area of floor space and carries with it elements of potential conflict with other dancers on the floor.

 

Due to its more flamboyant nature, elements for evaluation in Tango Nuevo will include additional areas beyond Technique, Elegance, Style and Originality:  Respect for other dancers, safety (of self and others), posture, technical control, beauty and artistic elements.

Tango Fantasia

Tango Fantasia is a category where many styles of tango and even other genres of dance come together to express a fantasy. Tango Fantasia belongs with the performing arts: it may convey a story or be completely abstract, from lyrical expression to synchronized athletic precision.  The presentation will be choreographed to specific music and presented as a performance or show. This category may include high kicks, off axis, separation of partners, lifts and dramatic poses - it is unrestricted – everything from ballet to circus. This is the entertainment category and is therefore allowed to go beyond the restrictions of social dance.

 

Due to its less structured nature, elements for evaluation in Tango Fantasia will include the ultimate respect and adherence to safety (of dancers and audience), entertainment value, incorporation of technical elements of tango (posture, technical ability, musical interpretation and artistic expression).***

 

***Only a limited number of couples may participate in Tango Fantasia because of the customized nature of music selection and choreography, requiring more time from the TESO program.