Doug wrote: "But I ask that you not simply put it down, or worse, attack those of us that do enjoy this enhanced closeness of personal relationship between partners."
If I came across as putting down you or others for the dance style you enjoy, please accept it was do to my lack of linguistic ability. I thoroughly agree that everyone should be entitled to enjoy any dance form they desire without vilification. It was only Brick's comment that stirred me to post, about those like myself who prefer to associate "Tango" (the music, dance and culture) with a style more closely associated with the one that has held popular support of the greater Tango community for the past eighty years or so. To me, it seemed Brick's slightly barbed comment about those of us who question or resist his idea of Tango evolution, are trying to treat Tango as something to be preserved in a jar of formaldehyde. I took it to imply that my deeply held views were out of date and reactionary. The point I was really trying to impart however, was that who has the right to say what is and what is not Tango evolution. It seems to me there is no universal Tango Standard by which anyone's claim to have evolved Tango to a new level (or new anything) can be assessed, except by popular appeal. The problem with popular appeal is that it can be self fulfilling. Change it and it will attract those that like the change. Popular appeal doesn't mean evolution. Simplistically, I could synthesise a piece of music, make up some steps to suit and call it Tango. Who can categorically say this is not neo free form (or whatever) evolution of Tango if I so choose to claim. A really catchy beat, some new figures to suit and a good PR man, and hey I could suddenly be the father of the new evolved Tango. Of course I would respect your right to object, although I would be confused on what the grounds of your objection could be. It's probably the moment to inform you that I also take privates weekly, both open and closed embrace. And am looking forward to the day when I can express my dance artform in a combination of open/closed figures. But in my opinion nothing comes close to the energy and emotion that comes off the floor in a BA milonga, albeit with seemingly simple steps and traditional music. I don't even have to be dancing to feel it. Can't say the same for most milongas here, with the exception of a few individual people, it's pretty uninspiring compared to BA. Why? It's the music and the way they dance to it in BA. I will never apologise for trying to preserve it and trying to persuade others to a like mind. Of course the other prickly pear is that I could suggest that, in the interests of clarity and communication, the term Tango be reserved for the traditional Tango and some other non-confusing name be given to the "evolved" Tango. (Pulling the chain this hard is actually frightening me):) PS: Actually, I find this fragmentation of Tango already occurring at milongas here, with DJ announcements that after so many tandas of traditional, music to suit evolved (Neo) tango affectionados will follow for X number of tandas. Respectfully Anton _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
