Entertainment Tango: the dance of love, hats and gender politics

(If anyone knows what show this it from or who the dancers are, please send me a note.)

I’m not much for fancy show tango but this video was fun to watch, and its nice when a choreography tells a story for the sake of telling a story as well as entertainment.

The dancers are obviously enjoying themselves which shows up in their level of energy and enthusiasm for the choreography. The start is so Fred Astaire that it made me want to go out and rent all of those old Fred and Ginger movies!

Points of Note other than the fact that the couple is just beautiful to look at:

:27 sec. – I love how she’s tapping her fingers on his shoulder as if to say, “I can play this guy like a bandoneon….watch me get his hat!”

:50 sec. – check out those kicks

1:09 to 1:12 – It’s great to see the choreography go from manic to straight milonga for a quick second before going back into its frenzied pace.

Yes at times the dancers are off beat and at times they are rushing the steps but hey, they are beautiful to watch!

The resolution of the act is brilliant, as they both get what they want, he gets the kiss, and she gets him to relinquish the hat which she gives back….hmmm a classic folkloric ending.

Cheers everyone,

EF

Can you say Chicho Fumbroli?

Ok this is Chicho and Lucí­a dancing at La Viruta during the 12 years anniversary of La Viruta.

One thing I can say about this couple before I begin is that I love their musicality, also how they flawlessly move from Nuevo to Tango to Apilado, with a hint of Cuban Casino Style thrown in for fun. To say the least this is a fun video, I have a friend who had the pleasure of dancing with Chicho in Northern California a few months ago and she said it was amazing.

On to the goods:

:06 Sec:Chicho’s hop step, usually I only see the followers tip their shoes up like that, I get chided for it a lot but it’s a salsa habit, my foot pops, it won’t stop, so I like it when I see a master doing it for fun. Note how he sneaks it in without disturbing Lucia’s flow, he does it again at at :42, and 1:47 sec.

:53 sec: oh the musicality! I love the way they go from a syncopated series of sacadas and walking to being smooth and flowy with the music. (this is why we all should listen to tango music often)

1:03 sec: Nice front Boleo to a back sacada for Lucia.

1:14 sec:Ok the syncopation here begs to be looked at twice so stop the clip and look at it again, I’ve looked at it about twenty times. It will take me a month to step like that to the music by myself, then I’ll have to find someone to teach me how to lead it properly!

1:17sec: they both hop, so it can be led!

1:25 sec: Check out the syncopated Barridas! smooth, smooth, smooth!!

1:59 sec: Just a touch of Apilado to straight Tango as if to say, ‘yeah, we do can do that too’.

2:20 sec: Very nice slow Volcada back to Tango.

2:27 sec: This for me was the highlight of the video Listen to the music here and watch how the back sacada fits perfectly. I love him and I hate him at the same time, and I’m still kicking myself for missing this guy’s classes on his last tour through CA.

Last but not least I think i should mention that his partner Lucia is amazing, I saw only one missed cue in the whole dance and it made me respect her more for the graceful way in which she maintained her connection, she is Amazing.

Enjoy the clip, I have a few more Fumbroli clips coming up so tune back in soon,

EF

Gotan Project – Diferente

I just love this video, it’s so yin yang.

To me there is so much going on and it speaks to how there are always 3 of each of us in Tango and in life.

1 who acts/dances (exemplified by the young man and woman arriving to the hall)

1 who watches the dance (exemplified by the young man and woman already at the hall)

1 who is connected to everyone else on dance floor (exemplified by the couple dancing and the crowd watching)

Do you ever notice how few collisions there are on the dance floor? (unless you are in Santa Cruz, CA and John and Sandy are dancing, you may not crash into anyone in a month!) 

What this means to me is that we are not dancing by out selves, or with just another partner, but with everyone in the entire room. Ourselves, our partner, everyone.  

Another point of note:

1:21 sec. into the video, there is a man sitting there watching, he is the only one wearing sun glasses.  Who is this person? Who is he to you? Some might think he is the God archetype who is orchestrating the whole drama, notice how he shows up again at the end, as Gods are wont to do?

Happy Holidays Everyone!

EF

And now for something completely different!!

Ok, so I thought I would post some of my favorite Salsa dancers up next! As you can see it’s completely different than what you might find in most clubs, as this is Cuban salsa and not the American “slot style” ball-roomy stuff that is so prevalent here in the States.

Note how the dancers travel around each other, interact with each other and generally seem to have found a way to make the dance playful? This is what I aspire to in my Salsa and I’ve tried to bring the same energy to Tango as well, but it’s difficult at best to even smile at ones partner at times…I wonder if that has to do with the music??

Well items of note in this video:

See how she moves? Take note of her hip movement at 32sec. NOT NORMAL! You don’t see that often in the USA. Amazing! I love her!!! And well I’m lucky enough and will say it here, my partner moves like that…

Check out his Leg Over move at 51 sec. !!! Very cool, don’t try this move if your legs are less than feet long or if your partner has short arms, or if you are not flexible enough to pull it off, or if you don’t have the balance for it, or if your partner minds being kicked in public…just make sure to try this at home first!

Can you say, “Damn!”? see COMBO at 1:08 – 1:16??

And last but no least, my favorite part of the video: Two Guys and One Girl! 3:15 – end.

I have tried this it’s too much fun just goofing around with two friends trying to come up with combos that work it can make an otherwise fun night of dancing into a really fun night of dancing. You’ve seen it…Now go try it.

Cheers Everyone,

EF

Astor Piazolla = Jimi Hendrix

This guy is a brilliant genius, he’s playing on the stereo in the cafe where i’m writing this post.  So Piazolla in my mind is basically the Argentinian equivalent of the Jimi Hendrix of the Bandoneon, and is the guy whom the whole new modern small chamber ensemble (Tin Hat Trio, 3 Leg Torso, The Brunos) that is happening in the Northwest is referencing. Which is basically, three or more folks playing what sounds like klezmer/jazz manuche/tango but with a pirate flavor. 

The stuff coming out now is good and moody, not Argentinian I feel like cutting myself moody, but more you know, Northwest American Plucky/Moody, like I should cut myself but I had coffee so I’m OK right now….you know kind of like what Seattle did for riff rock in the 90′s, but with less hair. 

But I digress….Can someone please tell me if they think the music in this video is Tango? And if so….please post a video on youtube of someone dancing to it!  I of course find my self partial to older Tango music, in particular anything with a horn instrument as the bass, you know very staccato in my mind = very fun. 

 Well enjoy the video everyone!!

EF

Welome to Excellent Footwork!

The purpose of this site is to showcase and discuss the Footwork and Dance Styles of various Tango and Salsa instructors.  Occasionally I will post on other dance forms but only to add to the general discussion. 

 Rules for posting here:

 1. Don’t Hate fellow dancers for being new or beginners.  If you are advanced then be helpful.

2. Post often!

 And for today’s clip:

LA CUMPARSITA with Gustavo Naviera & Giselle Anne, look upon them with despair and know that perhaps some day we may be worthy enough to polish their shoes!!

Ok sorry about that last line sometimes I get a bit carried away but it’s fun! 

These are two of my favorite dancers, enjoy the clip!!

Best parts:

00:20 sec.  Naviera’s Parada   –  Can you say Hot!

1:00 and again at 2:27 min  Anne’s Gancho — Hot!!

1:33 – 1:38 min The Back Sacada, Leap, Back Sacada, to Pose Combo….where do they come up with this stuff???

 -EF

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