Topic: Tango in Bristol

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

I hear that the Tango scene in Bristol is quite large these days, and seems to be populated with loads of dancers who are really rather passionate about it.

I think by the sounds of it they are more passionate about their dance style than we are about LeRoc! 

John.

[Frodo]

As far as I know it is only Tango West who do Tango in Bristol.

With Leroc there are reasons to go that do not require you to be passionate - accessible music - quicker progress - variety of organisations / dance nights.

So it is not necessarily a failing of Leroc or something to learn from Tango that Tango dancers can be passionate about it.

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

Do you think that Tango is by definition a more passionate dance than LeRoc though?

It seems (from what I've noticed) that the tango dancers tend to have a more intimate connection when they dance.

Personally speaking, I quite like the ability to pick any lady in a hall, dance with them, and then move on without having to become involved in any way (ok, obvious chitchat and socialising aside).  I'm not sure how easy that kind of thing is with Tango though.

John.

[Elaine]

Hi John and Frodo!

Tango is a passionate dance, but that does not mean that the passion is necessarily 'romantic!    From my understanding, it is the music that is the driving force - if it is 'strong' then you are more likely to find that you are being driven across the dance floor.  If it is soft, then yes, the dance will be more gentle and the embrace will reflect that.  It is up to both partners if they want their upper body to touch, or whether to have a more open embrace.

The great difference is that the leader and follower are very aware of each others balance and weight, which makes leading and following far more easy for both parties! The leader is also taught to guide the follower with their frame (this could be chest, the arm or the hand, but there is ALWAYS contact).  I have had some dances with quite advanced dancers, including the fabulous Eduardo and because they know where the balance is, they can lead some quite difficult moves and you can't help but follow.

I really would suggest that you try it sometime as I am sure you would love it!


Elaine

[John Gimber: Webmaster]

I am a little tempted to give it a go at some point, but frankly I'm too busy at present - kids, house moves, websites... you know the kind of thing!  I barely get chance to go out in the week myself, apart from teaching one night, and even that's pushing it at present!

In an ideal world, I'd win the lottery, have no need to go to work, have a big house that somebody else cleans and maintains, and have a nice big dancefloor in it to have parties on.

Maybe then I'll get around to trying out some new dance styles! 

John.

[Frodo]

I think Elaine puts it well about the dance being passionate, if a bit beyond me.

I guess ( always having contact ) you really cannot get too far away it is difficult to display the utter lack of passion possible with Leroc. 

Personally speaking, I quite like the ability to pick any lady in a hall, dance with them, and then move on without having to become involved in any way (ok, obvious chitchat and socialising aside).  I'm not sure how easy that kind of thing is with Tango though.

John.

From my limited experience very easy. 

On the other hand maybe 3 dances counts as involvement :-)