The Dictionary of Tango
Golden Nugget Extensions
Golden Nugget Extensions. This vocabulary is based on the Golden Nugget of Tango. It is a double-entendre. 1.) It means playing with the Follower’s (or Lead’s) leg extensions. 2.) It’s playing with extending the capabilities and variations on/in the Golden Nugget of Tango itself.
Transfer Phase
The Transfer Phase. In this phase we do four things in sequence. 1.) We begin a sliding action along the floor with the free foot, shaping it, and engaging in supination. 2.) We begin to transfer our weight from one foot to the other, in this case the sliding foot.
Explosion Phase
This is the 1st of 3 phases and the beginning part of the step for Lead or Follow. In the Explosion Phase the muscles of the hip, the quad, and the glute all fire at once thereby creating a state of ‘energetic’ explosive energy. This state only happens for a
Perihelion Phase
This is the 2nd of 3 phases in the step. It is the mid-part of the step for Lead or Follow. Regardless of whether this is a Forward, Side, and Backstep, all steps have versions of this idea. In the Perihelion phase the Leg fully extends, and the knee ‘pops’, meaning
Linear Boleos
A Linear Boleo is a type of Boleo where the Follower’s Leg (and sometimes a self Led Lead’s Leg) will lift upwards away from the L/lead in a linear fashion from the Follower’s Backstep. There 2 primary variations of a Linear Boleo. a.) The Mid-Range/Mid-Height Linear. And b.) The Frozen Linear Boleo.
Circular Boleos
A Circular Boleo is a type of Boleo where the Follower’s Leg (and sometimes a self Led Lead’s Leg) will curve upwards and possibly around their partner’s body in the air. There 3 variations of a Circular Boleo. a.) The Low Circular. b.) The Mid-Range/Mid-Height Circular. And the one that mostly
Social Boleos
A Social Boleo is a type of Boleo where the Follower’s (or Lead’s) foot extends outwards beyond the couple (but no more than a half-a-leg distance), and does not come off the floor. This type of Boleo is good for Social Tango and respects the line, and the lane of
Social Vocabulary
Social Vocabulary. This is tango dancing vocabulary (steps, simple patterns) that fits within the line, and the lane of dance, while respecting the Ronda, the partnership (the couple), as well as adhering to the principles of good floorcraft! As an example of Social Vocabulary, Tango Topics has several of these
Colgada Turn
A Colgada Turn is a type of turn whereby the lead will invoke a Colgada, or a shared axial rotation, and then revolution, in order to rotate or ‘turn’ the partnership in the line of dance. Usually this is done over a single spot, not necessary to take a corner