Everyone thinks ballroom tango is sexy and all. But as a social argentine tango dancer, I find it cringeworthy. As is, "why the f would anyone do this?". I understand to each their own, but wondering if I'm an isolated case or others feel the same way. And my apologies-- it's not my intention to be disrespectful of ballroom tango is your thing.

Hey guys, I am looking for a song for my show, I want something no too popular. But that would fit a theme of tension and love with a lot of agressive beat changes for jumps and lifts. Something sensual, dominant but still a tad romantic (not always upbeats). Any suggestion would be very helpful thank you very much.

I recently had a unique experience at my local milonga where a visiting Tango teacher attended. During our dance, the first two songs were fantastic; she followed my lead effortlessly. However, by the third song, I noticed she had stiffened up and was not following as well. By the fourth song, it was almost uncomfortable. After the tanda, she mentioned her workshops the next day and asked if I was interested in attending.

I couldn't help but wonder if her change in dancing style was intentional to drive sales for her workshops. Have any of you encountered similar situations? Do visiting teachers sometimes adjust their dancing to promote their workshops? Or was it just an off night for her?

Hi, I've been doing tango classes for three months now. I've just been using a pair of high heels I have because I didn't want to invest before I knew I'd keep going with this hobby.

Where's a place to buy a decent pair of tango shoes in the UK? So much seems to ship from the States. This is a casual hobby for me (probably weekly classes for half the year and a social dance every one or two months), so I'm not looking to spend a small fortune.

Thanks.

Mine are D'Arienzo and Canaro. Go old school. Skip Nuevo 😄

I’ve been following for about 4 years, and I think I’ve developed a nice musicality. I really feel the music and truly feel like I’m dancing

But I’ve gotten a couple comments recently, one from my teacher and one from my partner, that it felt like I was just stepping and not really dancing

It sucked to hear that because I really thought I was feeling the music, ha! How can I convey more feeling in my movements? What does a leader need to feel that elevates it to dancing instead of just stepping?

Hello, basically what OP says. I am looking for a solo rutin for improving my turns, Lapiz, circular back to back Sacadas etc. I have been dancing like almost 2 years both in Tango and latin dances (Salsa and bachata) as a 30 yo M and I am taking this really seriously even tho it is just a hobby to me (typical academician stuff LoL). How can I improve by myself out of practices and milongas on those topics?

Hi folks

I recently joined back tango dancing after a 4-year break due to Covid and life. I would consider myself an improving beginner, but have been exposed to good teachers, concepts and dancing in the past. (I'm a man learning tango lead)

One of the tango teachers suggested to me that tango is a "social dance", not "just a dance". And that a lot more counts than just one's dancing skill. And that if I want more opportunities to dance (at milongas) and more "quality connections" etc, then I need to try and dress the part. The point she made was that perhaps I shouldn't wear a comfortable t-shirt to class but should wear a nice shirt, etc.

Now I do understand that classic tango is synonymous with elegance. I wouldn't consider myself very elegant, tbh, but I would love to explore that aspect to tango.

Curious to hear what the folks here think. Would you agree with my teacher that we need to dress elegant even for class? (she is always impeccably dressed, whether for class or milonga, although most of the tango students are rather casually dressed when in class).

How would you describe it to a follower?

I feel I'm not using the other parts of my feet enough that's why this is happening. But i would like to hear what others have to say about this.

I feel I have to keep up with the lead and the music and I end up going fast..

Any tips?

I'm a tall leader (192 cm). I feel best in relatively slow, vast, relaxed movements, long steps, out of axis stuff etc. I think I'm also able to find some nice density in my movement, as long as it is slow (like in a dense dramatic tanda). I can't however properly get hold of the compact, rhytmic side of tango. I'm somehow unable to find resources in my body to perform short, fast, decisive steps, like in milonguero style. I feel very uncomfortable in d'Arienzo tandas and I skip milonga tandas altogether. I would very much like to change it, but I don't know how. I've asked a few teachers and got some advice, but as of today nothing really works for me. I belive that the fact that I'm tall stands a bit in the way, because I think that my center of mass may be too high for those compact movements? Usually it's the shorter tangueros who seem to feel best in these kind of movements and look really well in them. Any advice for me?

I and my wife dance since 7-8 years together. We followed several courses and we are now at the point with plenty of frustration because we start to realize that none of our maestros ever corrected her basic mistakes. For instance we are now experimenting in volcadas and she is totally unable to manage her free leg. In reality her free leg is never completely free, but she always keeps the muscles a bit contracted, so finally, if I take the volcada as example, the movement of the free leg is not naturally resulting from gravity and inertia, but it is very much controlled. We tried tried tried but found no way for her literally to "let the leg go". I am sure she is not the only one with this issue, is there any specific exercise that she can do to understand how to release the leg?

My wife and I are coming back to tango now that our children are old enough to be safe at home on their own. We’re taking classes and enjoying dancing again, and we were thinking that it would be fun to watch some good movies centered around tango.

I remember watching and enjoying The Tango Lesson (1997) when I first started dancing. I also found a post on this forum from a few months ago about Ariel Back To Buenos Aires (2022), which looks promising.

What are your favorites? If you had to choose one movie — made anywhere in the world, either old or new — that best captures what you love about this dance, what would it be?

EDIT: Thanks for the suggestions! I've gathered them together into an IMDB list.

The list now has 19 movies on it, arranged in chronological order. I'll keep adding to it if there are more comments in this thread.

I've been dancing 9 months and I have someones second hand heels. I had purchased a very bad quality practice shoe which is wearing off now.

Looking to buy new practice shoes. Confused if i should get the split sole keds or the boots. And if the boots, which brand of there is any.

Also. I'm not a fan of dancing in heels but love how it looks. What do I do :( do I still go ahead and buy a pair of heels? (Considering I have my borrowed second hand ones)

I take private classes and go to milongas each weekend, so ~150 EUR/month

Hi all

A slightly philosophical question but I'd like to hear your opinions on whether, in your experience, there is a natural "cap" on how good an average person can get at tango, or whether with enough study and practice anyone can become an advanced dancer? Especially for followers, but I am open to hear from/about leads too.

At the classes I attend I know there are a lot of followers who have a background in dance - usually ballet, or Latin dance - sometimes from a young age. They seem to progress quickly and are very elegant with good dance posture. I tend to assume I could never match their natural talent but of course it might not have been talent but dedication that got them where they are.

So - do you think a level of natural aptitude, perseverance or both have been more significant in your tango journey?

My partner and I have been dancing the tango for a couple of years. We have our wedding next year and we want our first dance to be, you’ve guessed it, a tango.

Now this is where I need a bit of help, if anyone else did this before how did you find a good wedding dress? I don't like the idea of a dress change just for the dance, but I don't really know what styles would work best. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!