Organic Tango

By Daniel Si Yee, Pearl City

What Is Organic Tango? I had never heard of it before but apparently it accepts fusion in some part of your dancing which I suppose is happening every day with Universal dancers. In Argentina it has evolved into at least ten different styles of Argentine Tango. The first club established in the Center of West Oahu will probably be the one to lead the way into the Hawaiian Tango.

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

The concept of organic tango embodies the cooperative, creative, and open-minded interaction between both men and women. Both the follower and leader share in the responsibility of connecting with each other and to the music. Each partner plays a distinct but equal role in the dance, continually communicating with one another through body movement and musical interpretation. Structure and Style of one's own dance are two independent entities that are allowed to reach their maximum potential.

"La Media Luz" by Julio Igliesias

Organic tango is essentially a walking dance to music and emphasizes the social nature of the dance and places primary importance not only on a keen awarness of one's partner but also of the other couples sharing the dance floor. To allow the tango to evolve in such an organic fashion, the organic tango dance philosophy was established. For even more info on the organic tango history, philosophy, and teaching approach please have a look at the" Organic Tango Cookbook".

There will be a "local" tango danced sooner or later and it will be done in the West. There is no dance that has a patent on any dance movement. What will be the combinations? I don't know. But I am beginning to hear of tango in the line dancers. Seems to me impossible. No? When we get more places to dance in the West we shall see it evolve. It will probably evolve out of the Filipino Tango and modified by the American. The kicks in Argentine Tango are out. The sleek, milonga moves are in and the rapid head shakes of the International are out. It is coming.  *  *  *  *

Paul Pellicoro (translated from the Spanish) on Tango

Tango is a social dance, a dance of the people. What would be the point of having lessons with teachers if we all taught the same? That is the charm of tango: with each person you find a different character and style.

Tango is about feeling and sensitivity, otherwise you are just doing gymnastics. You can do all the steps but it has to have the feeling for the music and sensitivity of authentic tango.

In social tango you move with the music and with your partner. The relationship between you and your partner is not personal. What is personal between the two of you is that you both are trying to caress the music with your feet. A good tango dancer is one who listens to the music. We dance the music, not the steps. You see, we are painters. We paint the music on the floor with our feet.  *  *  *  *

"Nostalgia" ... Placido Domingo

Pub's Side Note: Paul is definitely not talking about International Tango. That is a very different thing. The new American tango fused with the Filipino Tango on this Island will incorporate all the good stuff. It is still in the developing stages, ask any Filipino teacher of dance. In the West we are going for the "Da Reel Teeng"