Tao of Tango Poll :-)

This is a poll that I got while reading tangospeak … The poll is by Johanna Siegmann, author of “Tao of Tango”.

I thought I’d post her poll and my responses on here. If you dance tango and want to do this too, just answer the below questions (in English) (please don’t use my answers, hehehe) and send to tanguera@earthlink.net

“By submitting, you are granting the author permission to use your words for no compensation, and that they may be edited slightly for clarity or length. Again, there is no pay for your contribution (or even a free book, sorry), just the satisfaction of POSSIBLY seeing your words in print (I cannot guarantee that your submissions will be chosen for inclusion in the final version, nor when the book will be published).

Please forward this message to other people/places around the world (I would especially like to hear from people in the Middle East and Africa - if there are any tangueros out there!). YOU WILL RECEIVE A SPAM NOTICE TO REQUEST PERMISSION. DO NOT REQUEST PERMISSION OR RESUBMIT YOUR EMAIL. I WILL RECEIVE IT. I PROMISE
send your submissions to: tanguera@earthlink.net”

1. Where do you live/Tango

Perugia, Italy

2. How long have you been dancing tango.

4 years

3. How many times per week/month do you go tango?

3 times a week

4. Do you maintain friends/a life outside of tango?

My life is Tango, and all of my friends I’ve made here in Italy, I met through tango.

5. Have you been to Buenos Aires.

No but I’m going to spend a month there starting Feb 21st.

and most importantly:

6. Would you date/marry anyone who did not dance Tango, and why/why not?

I decided that no, I wouldn’t. I have done it before and there are always problems with jealousy, and also the other person does not understand where I’m coming from musically, etc. It’s that important to me.

What is Tango?

As they say, it’s a three-minute love affair. It’s a wonderful way to tune into someone else’s energy and have a dialog without words. It’s a relationship. It’s the human condition.

What does Tango mean to you?

Tango means the world to me. It’s become one of the most important things in my life. No matter what happens in the world around me, the Tango community is always there, the music is there, waiting for me to dance to it.

How/Why did you start dancing Tango.

How: A very nice fellow introduced me to my teachers, Eva & Patricio.  Why?  Because I wanted to be able to react to the music I have always loved.

If you do other types of dancing, how do they compare to Tango.

I have done belly dance and salsa. I think that all dances are related in one way or another. For example, in belly dancing it is essential to be aware of your axis, and to explore your range of motion in relation to your center of gravity. Salsa is similar to tango in that it’s a dialog between two people - perhaps not as intense and emotionally deep as Tango, but the similarities are there.

Is it better to have or not have a dance partner?

I find it most beneficial to have a dance partner - someone who is willing to learn and grow with you as a dancer. Though even without a dance partner I still believe it’s possible to improve one’s skill, etc…

What does “authentic” tango mean to you?

The kind that my boyfriend learned from some older milongueros in Buenos Aires a few years ago. The kind that nobody here in Italy seems to dance.

Do you think Tango is held to the same sort of “authenticity” standard as other dances (and if not why not)

No, though I wish it were. It seems that people are updating to new alternative music, taking away the connection, and flailing their legs about, and calling that tango. It makes me sad. And then there’s the Hollywood version of tango… oh don’t get me started there.

Do you think “authenticity” is important?

Yes of course it is - however, authenticity also has to come from within. If I dance what I think is the most “authentic” tango, it’s only authentic if I’m dancing from my heart, if I’m putting my authentic soul into it, and connecting to my partner from that deep place. Regardless of what style of tango you dance, I think that being authentic to yourself and your partner is what carries it.

How would you describe your relationship to Tango?

Addiction. I actually get high from that first moment of tango, when I embrace the man, we connect in that special way, and start ‘walking’…. there is nothing like it.

You can write about any aspect of Tango (music, attire, relationships, egos, shoes, embrace, performing, choreography, improvisation, colors, venues, WHATEVER) as long as your comments conform to the 3 comment, 50 words per comment, English format.

I just want to say that Tango has been essential to my life in terms of finding a community of friends in a new country. I am from Seattle, WA USA and live in Italy. I don’t know that I would have found the wonderful friends that I have, were it not for Tango. This can be said about any hobby, really. But there is something about the language of Tango that brings people together in such a special way. The town I live in is known to be rather closed, but I have found it to be opposite - the people I meet at the milongas are very, very open, because we share a common love for the magic that is Tango. Thanks to Tango, I have had a packed social calendar (we all get together outside of milongas too!) since my arrival in Italy, I have friends who take care of me if I need something, and girlfriends in whom I can confide. Dancing brings people together.