The Sensual Styles of Argentine Tango

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Alluring, sensual and intimate are just a few of the words you may use when talking about the Argentine tango. A dance of romance and passion, it is one of the most well-known dances all over the world and is currently enjoying a considerable revival throughout much of Europe, the United States and South America. Many people just love the appeal and closeness that arises from this dance, which is why so many couples are excited to learn this spicy dance. Wouldn’t you like to reignite those flames of desire with your partner?


 

Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ, is the perfect place to learn a variety of social ballroom dances with private dance lessons ranging from the Argentine tango to Country dancing.  Learning to dance is an ideal way to learn a new skill or hobby that you will utilize throughout your life, no matter the occasion. It can be difficult to find time to spend with your significant other, so learning to dance together allows you to make the time each week doing something enjoyable and beneficial for both of you. What a welcome change that would be! Also, the Argentine tango is a great way to really connect with that special partner on a very intimate level.


 

Now, let’s talk about some of the styles of Argentine tango. There are various influences on the many styles of this dance, ranging from the tempo and type of music that accompanies the dance, to the space available on the dance floor in any particular venue. Nearly all the styles are danced in either the open embrace position where couples have space between their bodies or in the close embrace where they connect chest-to-chest. Let’s see which style best suits your personality!


 

We will start with Salon style tango which was the most popular style of tango danced up through the Golden Era of the 1950’s when milongas (tango parties) were held in large dance venues with tango orchestras performing. It regained popularity again in the early 1980’s and is still prevalent today. Salon tango is typified by slow, deliberate, and smoothly implemented moves. The emphasis is on precision, evenness, and musicality. Couples embrace closely but the embrace is flexible, opening slightly to make room for various figures and closing again for support and poise. The walk is the most important element, with dancers usually walking about half to three-quarters of the time during a song. So if you can walk, this dance should be a breeze for you to learn.

 

The Milonguero style of tango is characteristically danced with a slight leaning posture that usually connects at the shoulders of the dancers. In most cases it is danced in a close embrace with the woman’s head and body very close to her partner and her left hand placed far behind her partner’s neck. Sounds quite cozy, doesn’t it? The couple maintains a constant upper body contact and often does not loosen their embrace to accommodate turns.

Next is the Orillero style tango,  a style of dance that developed away from the cities, in the outskirts and suburbs where there was more freedom to move since there was usually more available space on the dance floor. This style allows both dancers to take additional steps outside the embrace. It is danced in an upright position and uses various accompaniments, such as swift foot moves and kicksand can be danced in both open and close embraces. Can you see you and your partner kicking up your heels to this dance?

And last, but certainly not least is Tango Nuevo, which is a dancing and teaching style. As a teaching style it emphasizes a fundamental exploration of the dance.This variation is mostly a methodical approach that looks at the structure of the dance to find new combinations of steps and moves. It is danced in an open and loose embrace in an upright posture with much of the emphasis being placed on each dancer to maintain their own alignment. From this teaching style, developed a new and unique style of dancing we now call, you guessed it- Tango Nuevo.

 

As you can see there are many variations to the Argentine tango and today, we covered a few of these styles. Learning this dance can be a lot of fun and easy to learn at Dance FX Studios. Why not give it a try? You and your partner will be glad you did!

 

More on the History of Argentine Tango…

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The true birth of the Argentine Tango is a bit of a mystery, but it is certain that the dance is an emotional, intimate one that came from a unique cluster of people. One generally accepted theory of the Argentine Tango and its origins is that it was brought to Argentina in the mid-1800s by African slaves and their descendants. Africans picked up the dance on slave ships and it began to influence local culture by 1853. At this time, Argentina had banned slavery and African slaves and free Africans would gather to dance.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Argentina was experiencing a major influx of people. The population went from 180,000 people in 1869 to 1.5 million people by 1914. Most of these immigrants were single men dreaming of finding fortune to take back to their homeland or to bring their families to their new home. They were mostly poor and desperate, longing for success and missing their families and homelands. This desperation was expressed through dance and is seen in the evolution of the Tango. Spanish, Italian, Russian, Polish, African, British, and native-born Argentine inhabitants created a melting pot of people and their cultures. They lent dances and music between their groups and new styles were being created.

At one point, a group of young men called compadritos frequented the African-Argentine venues where the basic dances of the Tango were being danced. These compadritos were mostly native born, poor, and of mixed immigrant ancestry. They took the dance to different districts of Buenos Aires and ignited the dance’s popularity in infamous places like dance halls, bars, and brothels. In these places, the Argentine milonga music fused with African percussion and rhythms, leading to new steps and ultimately creating the Tango as its own form of dance. The exact time and place of its creation are unclear, but it is clear that the Tango was known as a dance stemming from poverty-ridden neighborhoods.

As with many forms and types of dance initially, high society looked down on the Tango and its dancers, but some people of upper classes snuck away to mingle with the lower classes and dance. The Tango gained popularity and became a well-known and established form of dance and of music by the early 1900s. It trickled out of Buenos Aires into other Argentine towns and hopped the River Plate to Uruguay. It came to know the same fame in this new place as it did in Buenos Aires.

Parisian society was also excited by this new dance that wealthy Argentine men were bringing, and by 1913 the Tango had spread to Paris, London, and New York. The upper classes of Argentina were reluctantly accepting the dance as a form of national pride and it spread worldwide in the 1920s and 1930s. Not before long, the tango reached movie screens and Tango singers took the music around the world. The world of Tango was part of the flourishing culture of the Golden Age of Argentina from the 30s to the 50s. With the declining economy of Argentina after the Golden Age, the Tango was forced underground with its political expression and the ban of large gatherings at the time.  It survived nonetheless, and rose up again in the mid-1980s when the Tango Argentino opened in Paris. The Argentine Tango was ignited once again and thrives in the current revival it exists in today.

Are you prepared to learn this most exciting and passionate dance? If so, and you live here in Phoenix, Arizona, join us at Dance FX Studios for Argentine Tango dance lessons. We are located close to Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert in the East Valley of Phoenix in Mesa, AZ for your convenience. Private Tango lessons begin with our introductory offer for either singles or couples. We would love the opportunity at Dance FX Studios to share our love of the tango with you.

Spice Things Up With Tango Lessons

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It seems like each day you get up, get ready for work, spend the day working, run some errands, come home, eat dinner, take care of things around the house, and collapse into bed. The next day, you do it all over again. Some nights you lie in bed thinking- is this all there is? Where is the fun and excitement in my life? Well, it sounds like it’s time to shake things up, maybe try something you’ve never done before, after all variety is the spice of life! How about trying something to spice up your life? Argentine tango dance lessons may be just the ticket!

Dance FX Studios, in Mesa, AZ, has been teaching students private ballroom dance lessons, whether it’s the Argentine tango, Country, Swing, or Latin ballroom dancing, throughout the Phoenix area for over 12 years. We are the leading dance studio in the East Valley, Arizona region for Argentine tango ballroom dance lessons. The Argentine tango, which is the original tango, is a romantic and intimate social dance that is not only popular in Arizona, but throughout the world.

The Argentine tango is like poetry in motion. It is a place for self-expression, a dance that is an art. There is no other dance that best describes intrigue and passion. Taking Argentine tango dance lessons is a great way to connect with your partner and add some excitement back into your life. Most couples are so busy with their day to day activities that it is hard to make time for each other and do something together. What a great opportunity to reignite the flames of desire in your relationship and leave the rest of the world at the door!

The Argentine tango is world renowned as the ultimate romantic dance. It creates an exhilarating feeling of freedom and togetherness. Just hearing the word tango invokes sophistication, culture and emotion.  It is one of the best known and popular social dances in the world. Tango enthusiasts have a common love and craving for the dance that is rarely seen in other dance styles. Argentine Tango is often referred to as the dancer’s dance. This passionate dance is relatively gentle and physically undemanding and is basically built upon walking, which makes it suitable for just about everyone.

Argentine tango dancing is like playing chess, having a work-out, being on a date, travelling through space and time, discovering a foreign culture, going to a concert, and exploring one’s creativity… all at the same time! Wow- we know that this is an exciting dance, but who knew the Argentine tango could do all that? It is true, though, that you can become so enraptured with this dance that you just go off into another world, leaving all your worries behind and just focus on your partner and dancing.

At Dance FX Studios, close to Chandler and Tempe, AZ, we can get you ready to delve into this amorous dance with private Argentine tango dance lessons. Whether you’re single or a couple, we can help anyone to become a skilled and confident dancer.  We would love to get you started with our Introductory Special- a one hour private lesson for only $40 per couple or single. This one hour lesson will allow you to check out our studio and our unique method of teaching, as well as learning partner connection and how to communicate effectively on the dance floor.

To schedule your first lesson, give us a call at 480.968.6177. We are available for private dance lessons Monday-Friday, from 12-8 pm and Saturday, from 11 am-4 pm. Come and discover just how easy and enjoyable learning to dance at Dance FX Studios can be for anyone who would like to learn to dance. Unlike the fads of many forms of music, Argentine tango is something that does and always will transcend time and culture. Are you ready to begin your journey into the world of Argentine tango? If so, contact us today to begin your journey into learning to dance.

Argentine Tango Dancing Tonight!

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Have you ever visited Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona for our monthly Argentine tango Milonga? If not, tonight is your chance to dance with many of the Phoenix valley’s best tango dancers at our beautiful location. Enjoy our amazing sprung maple wood dance floor (great cushioning for the back, knees and joints), warm and welcoming atmosphere and spread of yummy treats at Dance FX Studios tonight, Saturday, April 27th, 2013! If you are a Phoenix Milonga “regular”, you may be wondering who will be deeejaying our event tonight. We welcome Kevin Smith as our “music maker” this evening for Dance FX Studios’ Milonga. Kevin is a featured deejay in the Phoenix Argentine tango dance community and we are fortunate that he will be preparing our playlist for tonight.

Come to our Milonga tonight with an appetite as we will have a nice spread of appetizers including an edamame blend, fresh fruit, cheese cubes and delicious meats. Save a little extra space for desserts like brownies, mini cinnamon rolls and more… Light, non-alcoholic refreshments including lemonade, diet coke and sprite will also be available. Guests may bring their own bottle of wine.

The cover charge for tonight’s tango Milonga at Dance FX Studios is $10 a person. Join us from 9 pm to midnight for an evening of fun and dance with your host Rachel.

Don’t dance Argentine tango? It’s never too late to learn! The Argentine tango is amongst the most romantic and sensual of all of the partner dances. It is a dance where two become one for a brief moment in time.

Explore the passion of the Argentine tango with us at Dance FX Studios. For the fastest results in preparation for becoming a confident tango dancer, we recommend private Argentine tango dance lessons for singles or couples. In Dance FX Studios’ hour-long introductory private dance lesson, you will begin your journey in the unique world of tango dancing. We will show you how to properly hold your dance partner, how to begin to move as one on the dance floor and what tango dancing is all about. To get started with private tango dance lessons, we are available Monday through Friday from noon to 8 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm by appointment. A beginner tango lesson is $40 for either a couple or a single.

Dance FX Studios is located on the southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe Roads in Mesa on the border or Tempe and Chandler, Arizona. We are just off the 101 highway and are just minutes from Scottsdale and Gilbert for your convenience. Join us tonight for our Saturday Milonga and/or in the future for tango dance lessons. You’ll be glad you did!

Argentine Tango Milongas are Back!

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Tango Milongas are back at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. Enjoy great music, dancing from those of all levels from beginners to advanced and snacks and refreshments in one of the best tango venues in the Phoenix metro valley on the 3rd week of each month.

What is a “Milonga”? An Argentine Tango Milonga is a party mainly for tango dancers. While the majority of music played at the Dance FX Studios’ Milonga will be tango, we also play Salsa and Swing dance music during our “tandas”, or breaks between sets of artists.

The cover charge for Dance FX Studios’ Tango Milonga is $10 per person or just $5 for students ages 16+ with current student identification.

Would you like to learn to dance Tango? With our first Milonga just around the corner on the 19th of January 2013, it’s not too late to get in a few private tango lessons and participate in the night. The Argentine Tango is a beautiful, romantic and passionate dance, one that is worth knowing.

In private Argentine Tango dance lessons at Dance FX Studios, you will begin with the basics needed to lead and follow this intricate and exciting dance. Then, we will help you to explore key elements and techniques that will make you a comfortable and competent social tango dancer in no time.

Now is the time to get started with Tango dance lessons as Dance FX Studios’ holiday offers will end on December 24th, 2012. Take advantage of our introductory offer for just $40 or one of our dance packages that include private dance lessons, nights out dancing, group dance classes and in-house dance party tickets.

Looking to share the beauty of tango with someone special? Take a look at our gift card offers to give the gift of dance this holiday season.

Dance FX Studios is conveniently located in the East valley of the Phoenix metro area of Arizona. We are just off the 101 highway bordering Tempe and Chandler and minutes from Scottsdale, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Gold Canyon, Arizona. For quality social dance lessons in everything from Argentine Tango to Country Two Step to Salsa and Swing dancing, Dance FX Studios is the place to enjoy learning to dance!

If you are wondering what makes Dance FX Studios different from those other ballroom dance studios, Dance FX Studios is the first and only strictly social dance studio in the Phoenix valley. Learn to dance for any social dance occasion at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona today!

Origins of the Word Tango

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couple in loveThere are several theories of how the Tango received its name. The theories range from a drum beat to various derivatives of words from different cultures. It seems like the drum theory is the most popular, but even with the drum beat theory there are several different versions of how the word Tango arose. Some say that it was years after the colonization of Argentina by Spain when a number of African slaves were being imported and used the word Tango as the name for the drum-based music and dance that they performed. Not too far off from this theory is the theory that some African descendants combined the name of their god of the drum with the Spanish word for drum to create the new word Tango.

Some of the other theories that describe how the word Tango came about are possibly true as well, or they could be grasping at thin air. You can be the judge of which are, perhaps, hasty conclusions and which are more realistic. Another theory is using derivatives of other words:

  • Tambo- the slave traders’ name for a place where the slaves were kept
  • Tangere- the Latin word meaning touch
  • Tanga- festival or end of mourning ceremony
  • Tangala- to walk heavily
  • Taganana- to walk

As you can see there are various speculations upon where the word Tango came from. There are even more possible derivatives than listed above. Some facts even say that the Tango existed in Mexico in the 18th century, or that was developed in Brazil in the early 19th century, or was of Japanese descent, or originated as a gypsy dance. There are plenty of theories out there, but, for now, all we can be certain of is that there are a lot of theories and trust the ones that are believed to be the most accurate.

If this has spiked your interest in the Tango, Dance FX Studios, in Mesa, Arizona, offers Private Argentine Tango Dance Lessons and Group Argentine Tango Dance Classes. Dance FX Studios also offers other social dance classes for adults; to see more information about our Tango classes and other dance lessons, please visit https://dancefxstudios.com/

Get Close with the Argentine Tango

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istock_000004680724small1When you hear the word Tango, you probably think of a seductive dance. Many people are familiar with the Ballroom Tango, a precise dance with very little to no room for improvisation. You may recognize it for its staccato movements and quick head snaps. Another form of Tango, which you may not recognize as easily, is the Argentine Tango. It is a little more difficult to recognize because there is a lot of variety and improvisation to this dance. However, if you are accustomed to watching different types of dancing, you may notice the difference in the dancers’ frame.

When you look at the dancers’ fame in the Ballroom Tango, they are going to be close at the hip, while keeping their upper bodies separate from one another. On the other hand, Argentine Tango is going to be more relaxed and have closer contact with the upper body instead of the lower body like with the Ballroom Tango. There are also many embrace options to choose from when it comes to the Argentine Tango.

Some of the embraces or styles of frames include the close embrace, open embrace, square close embrace, and reverse embrace. The close embrace is where the dancers’ chests are closer together than their lower body, even having a possibility of their heads touching as well. In open embrace, the dancers can have as much space as they would like, but arms have all the contact. The connection in the arms enables the dancers to still communicate between each other. The next embrace is the square close embrace. This embrace is where both chests touch each other as the dancers lean in toward each other. Finally is the reverse embrace, which is when both dancers dance in the same direction, facing the same way.

If the Argentine Tango has peaked your interest, come into Dance FX Studios and learn how to dance the Argentine Tango today! Dance FX Studios has private Argentine Tango dance lessons and group Argentine Tango dance classes. See how amazing it is to learn to dance Tango today!

The History of the Argentine Tango

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Colourful houses in Buenos Aires La BocaOne dance that is sure to bring a smile to your face and your heart is the Argentine Tango. It is a dance that has the ability to transport you to another time and place and connect you to the love of your life once again. Surely, you know about the sensuality, romance, and passion of the Argentine Tango from different television or cinematic productions, but do you know where the Tango originated?

The Argentine Tango originated sometime in the late to end of the 19th century near Buenos Aires. At first, the dance was considered inappropriate with lewd and obscene dance movements. Even the music that the Argentine Tango was danced to had sexual content and obscenities in it. To gain more admirers of the dance, the Tango also had a less racy form that was taught to mid to high-class families.

Eventually the Tango gained enough favor that it traveled to Europe. Argentina, during the early 1900’s, started to become increasingly wealthy, eventually becoming one of the richest nations in the world. It was during this time that Argentinean people were able to travel to Europe and they brought the Tango with them. From there, the Argentine Tango traveled very quickly and was introduced to big cities around the world. The Tango even made its way to New York. After spreading around the world, the Tango arrived back to Buenos Aires, but this time it was greeted with open arms.

If you are interested in learning more about this dance that has spread like a wildflower around the world, come into Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona. At Dance FX Studios we have private Tango lessons and group Tango dance classes. Experience the beauty and passion of Tango dancing for yourself!

A Sensual Dance from Argentina!

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argentine tango lessons mesa azWhat amazing things come from Argentina? Well there is beautiful architecture, serene nature settings, and sports enthusiasts, but the best of all is the Argentine Tango! The Argentine Tango is a lovely, passionate, and romantic dance that looks breathtaking when danced.

Although this may seem like a complicated dance, it is not as bad as you think! If you are able to walk, then you are able to dance the Argentine Tango. It is essentially walking with your partner to the beat of the music. Now don’t think that the Tango is utterly boring either, there are also turns, dips, and lunges, but the basic steps are just a series of strides around the dance floor. You can add more pizzazz to it with a combination of movements and by dancing using your feelings.

Actually, it would be quite difficult to not show any emotion while dancing the Tango, as it is seen as an intimate, sexy, and steamy dance. Due to this appeal, it is a great dance to learn with your spouse or girlfriend/boyfriend. Something you can use to spice up your love life and desire for one another perhaps? Nonetheless you will have a great time doing so.

Would you like to experience the wonders of the Argentine Tango? Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, offers group Argentine Tango dance classes and private Argentine Tango dance classes. For private lessons, we have an Introductory Offer consisting of 1 hour-long, private Argentine Tango lesson to get the basics down. Group Argentine Tango classes are held over a 4-week period.  The group class will be held every Wednesday and class material will build upon the previous week’s class. Come see for yourself how AMAZING it is to learn the beauty and passion of the Argentine Tango!

The Tango Heats up the Big Screen

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argentine tango dancing mesa azToday, there are many movies that feature dancing in them. The movie, The Wedding Planner, featured a Tango between Mary Fiore (Jennifer Lopez) and Steve Edison (Matthew McConaughey) as one of the more intimate scenes in the movie. Which is exactly what the Tango is, a passionate dance relating the fire between two people. Another dance film that features the Tango is Take the Lead. You can clearly see the sensuality and sex appeal of this dance during the demonstration that Mr. Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) shows his new students. The lust, romance, and flirtatious dance quickly grabs the students’ attention and they now want to learn how to dance.

When you take Tango dance lessons, you can achieve the same sensuality and sexuality that is portrayed in the movies. Getting confident in your own skin and being able to move your body with ease and fluidity can be just a couple of things that you can learn about yourself during dance classes. Not only feeling confident about moving your body, but becoming more confident about yourself can be a huge benefit to these classes.

Who knows, this could be just the thing to ignite that passion that you once had in your relationship. If it is still there, perhaps it is muted; you may be able to set it ablaze. The passion, excitement, and intensity of the dance could be just the thing to add some romance in your life.

So you are interested in taking some Tango dance lessons but do not know where to start? Come down to Dance FX Studios in Mesa, Arizona, for private or group Argentine Tango lessons. Group sessions are 4 weeks long and start up again on April 4th. They will be every Wednesday at 8 pm.

If you are interested in private lessons, Dance FX Studios offers an introductory offer for Argentine Tango.