What is a Volcada ? When done properly….and ‘proper’ is a very loose word here because there a whole series of volcadas that can be done (safely) that loosely qualify as a Volcada. These are what are considered shared-axis pieces of tango vocabulary that result in a series of crossed feet for the Follower to either Follower left or Follower right.
What is a Volcada ? When done properly….and ‘proper’ is a very loose word here because there a whole series of volcadas that can be done (safely) that loosely qualify as a Volcada. These are what are considered shared-axis pieces of tango vocabulary that result in a series of crossed feet for the Follower to either Follower left or Follower right.
What is an Argentine Soltada ? In simple terms it’s a tiny little turn, almost a spin, that has been borrowed from Salsa, and made functional in Argentine Tango. The almost-a-spin part is what the Follower does, and the lead kinda stands there leading the-almost-a-spin part. I say ‘almost’ because quite rightfully, it’s a led rotation really. If this were a true spin, then the Follower would stay over the same axial rotation point, but in this case, does not. The Argentine Soltada is really the rotation part not what you do with it part.
The word ‘barrida’ translates into English as ‘swept’. And that’s exactly what it is. A sweep. From a Tango perspective this is a somewhat ‘worn’ piece of tango vocabulary that most people see sort of schlock tango schtick. Most people start out with doing it a few times, and then disregard it because they’ve moved on to something else that’s more ‘flashy’. The Barrida is, in common vernacular, a ‘drag’ of the foot (either role can initiate it). And does have a useful application in the dance which is purely musical if not entirely navigational. With that thought in mind, let’s talk “Barridas”, what they are and how they’re useful for both roles of the dance.
Check Steps/Incremental Steps. These are simple pieces of tango vocabulary really. It’s a step. Nothing more than that. Don’t get confused or lost in thinking this is overly complex. It’s not. It looks cool but there it’s insanely simple. It is leading and following a step. That’s it, that’s all. To be a bit more clear, there are two piece of vocabulary, one is an extension of the other. The Check Step…
The word ‘parada’ translates into English as ‘stopped’. And that’s exactly what it is. A stop. From a Tango perspective this is a well worn piece of tango vocabulary that most people see as an element towards engaging the illusion of ‘intimacy’ of the dance, or it’s ‘steamy’ aspects. Anyone inside the dance knows that the ‘steamy’ thing is just that, an illusion, and that there’s real work to be done to make this venerable piece of tango vocabulary useful and musical. The vocabulary gets its name from the fact that we are stopping but it’s an unusual stop. It’s a stop not because you’re stopping the Lead’s motion, but in fact stopping the Follower’s motion. It’s more of an interruption really, because the ‘stop’ is momentary. With that thought in mind, let’s talk “Paradas”, what they are and how they’re useful for both roles of the dance.
What is an Argentine Enganche ? The Enganche can be but is not limited to where the dancers’s free leg, can wrap around their partner’s leg in a myriad of different ways through either a Gancho, a Ganchito, a Rebound, un Libre Pierna (a free leg) Columpio (swing), or a version of a Sacada, or a Wrap in the English sense of the word. However the Argentine Wrap is a bit more specific in that it is very limited, this is where the Lead, or the Follower, mostly the Follower in this instance, can and will wrap their free leg around their partner usually from a side step. However a Wrap can be achieved from either back or forward steps as well however it is slightly more challenging to do so.
What is a ‘Super’ Enrosque ? You’re going to ask yourself this question: If an Enrosque is placing one foot behind the other, or in front, both are true where the feet are in a crossed position, AND (the ‘and’ is very important) there is a pivoting bodily rotation that occurs. Then what on earth creates a ‘Super’ Enrosque ? MORE ROTATION! And in specific More Applied Disassociation, as there’s an enormous amount of super rotation that can occur due to the release of all that pent up energy. And that release creates some really interesting options and opportunities. 😉 So without further adieu: The Super Enrosque!
What is a Social Boleo ? First and foremost we must make clear the first part of the Term “Social” of “Social Boleo”. Social in this context that Tango Topics typically defines that word as: 1.) The Ronda of the dance floor, pertaining to the line, lane, and Tango Floorcraft of the couple. 2.) The Milonga experience. Meaning how you enter the room, who you speak to, where you sit, how you sit, what you dance to, who you dance with, how you invite or deny a dance. 3.) Fitting any and all vocabulary choices, regardless of which role is initiating it, within the physical width of the “lane” of dance, and the physical distance of one singular step that goes with the line of dance.
What is a Circular Boleo ? This is a lifting of the leg (Lead or Follow, typically though it’s the Follower’s leg) that tends to curve (hence the circular part) up and sometimes around the Lead. This is why they’re called "Circular" Boleos. In this version of the Circular Boleo, we’re exploring a Mid-Range Circular Boleo or what Tango Topics refers to as a Mid-Height Circular Boleo.
Why Should You Signup ? The simplest reason is that you won’t find this stuff anywhere else. It’s a different kind of tango education. It will help you to understand what you want, how to do it, and why you want to do things with Intention in mind. It will show you how to listen to the music, and how to create different types of vocabulary, as well as how to engage in the milonga environment. This site is all about showing you a better pathway towards a type of tango that reinforces the ideas of Social Tango thru Intention Based Dancing.
