In this episode, Alex and I review our experiences at the Portland Valentango Festival and El Motivo Marathon in LA. We discuss the highlights, challenges, and differences between the two events. We also explore the physical demands of marathons and festivals, the differences in dance levels, and the importance of floor craft.

Takeaways

- Marathons and festivals offer different experiences and challenges for social dancers.

- Awkward moments can arise during late-night dancing, but it's important to navigate them with grace and respect.

- Asking questions and focusing on learning about others can lead to meaningful conversations at events.

- Mistakes can be embraced and lead to new experiences and connections.

Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience in Portland: https://letshopscotch.com/

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In this episode I discuss the importance of knowing specific elements of tango music in order to succeed as a dancer. I emphasize the significance of recognizing orchestras and understanding the different characteristics and styles they bring to the music. I share my personal journey of learning to recognize orchestras and provide a simple process for others to follow.

Takeways:

- Tango music is an essential component of the dance and plays a significant role in expressing the character and style of the dance.

- Recognizing orchestras and understanding their unique qualities can enhance the dance experience and allow for more creative expression.

- Learning to recognize orchestras is a process that requires practice and active listening, but it is a skill that can be developed over time.

- Understanding and appreciating tango music can deepen the connection between dancers and create a more enjoyable and fulfilling dance experience.

Access my Spotify tango music playlists: https://imsotango.namastream.com/buy/product/70580

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In this episode, I explore the topic of jealousy in tango. I reflect on my personal experience with jealousy and how it has affected my relationships. I discuss the different types of jealousy that tango dancers experience, particularly focusing on the insecurities and fears that women often face.

In this episode, I delve into the mysterious dynamics of tango chemistry, exploring how dancers navigate preferences for a more successful dance experience. I share my own personal preference and what I consider to be indicators of whether I would have good chemistry with someone or not.

Main points:

- The shape and tension of the embrace can indicate the level of the dancer and the comfort of the dance.

- Observing a dancer’s body can provide insights into their balance and alignment.

- Size of steps and embellishments can affect the dance and chemistry between partners.

- Developing intuition and gut instincts can help in choosing dance partners.

- Understanding preferences and making informed decisions can lead to a more satisfying tango experience.

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In this episode I explore the concept of balance in tango, discussing common misconceptions and highlighting the crucial role of alignment. I discuss how tango resembles controlled falling and share practical exercises for improving solo movement balance. Addressing considerations for partner dancing, I differentiate between balance and stability. The episode emphasizes developing balance through solo movements, understanding mechanics, and adapting to a partner's movements.

Takeaways

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In this episode my sister (who is NOT a tango dancer, and IS an Emmy Award-winning journalist) interviews me about the world of DJing tango. We explore the challenges, nerves, and the artistry that go into DJing, unraveling the complexities of this strange ritual. From the importance of knowing the tango music canon to the struggles of finding good DJ mentors, we discuss it all.

In a nutshell:

- DJing in the tango community can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for first-time DJs.

- Knowing the canon of tango music and understanding what songs are danceable is crucial for DJs.

- Seeking guidance and education from experienced DJs can help new DJs improve their skills.

- There is a need for more DJ education and support within the tango community.

- Finding good DJ teachers in the tango community can be challenging due to the introverted nature of DJs and the lack of standardized teaching methods.

- Tango DJing is a labor of love and not primarily driven by financial motives.

- The subjectivity of DJing makes it difficult to receive honest feedback and evaluate the quality of DJ performances.

- Open conversations and a deeper musical understanding among dancers are crucial for improving the quality of DJing in the tango community.

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In this episode, I discuss my experiences and insights on traveling for tango events. Travel preferences are very subjective and personal factors such as physical and mental well-being can greatly impact your enjoyment of an event. I share suggestions and tips on how to make the best of your tango travel.

SoCal Tango Champinoship: https://socaltangochampionship.com/

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In this episode, I discuss the common experience of not wanting to dance with someone anymore and the associated feelings of guilt and embarrassment.

I explore both interpersonal and technical reasons for this change in preference and share my own strategies for navigating these situations.

Valentango Tango Festival: https://valentango.us/

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Tango is famous for confusing people to the point that you might forget how to walk for a second or two. In this banter Alex and I cast a wide net as we talk about the parallels between tango and art. We then explore a few of the tango concepts that cause the most confusion and debate among dancers and share personal stories about making sense of tango over time.

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FOMO (fear of missing out) is a common experience for tango dancers. Throughout the year we see videos and pictures from exotic locations of beautiful dancers having a lot of fun and we wish we knew about it before it happened.

How do you find out tango events and how to do you make sure they are right for you?

In this episode, I discuss the process of finding the right tango events to attend. I share my strategies for gathering information about events through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as various ways of making connections with dancers in different tango communities around the world.

El Motivo Tango Marathon: https://www.facebook.com/events/274090748877392

Tango Partner App: https://tangopartner.com/

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Email: [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

Facebook⁣ @‌IMSO Tango⁣⁣⁣

Instagram @‌imso_tango