South Philly Tango INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Movement & Musicality class (JAN/30/12)

Tonight’s tango class featured the legendary Orquesta Típica Victor. This was RCA Victor’s (record label) own orchestra. Although they continuously brought together the finest musicians/singers/composers of the golden age of tango, they never performed live. All their efforts were put into studio recordings. Above is Milonga de los fortines, one of the songs danced in class. Below, as usual is a link to amazon.com with a suggested purchase. | http://urban-tango.com

Orquesta Típica Victor CD suggestion

South Philly Tango Class BEGINNER (JAN/30/12)

In tonight’s tango beginner class we continued to work on circular rebounds for the follower. This week we added an extra rebound to last weeks sequence. These rebounds are particularly useful for the social dance floor.| http://urban-tango.com

South Philly Tango INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Movement & Musicality class (JAN/23/12)

On last Monday nights tango lesson we learned about Julio de Caro. This composer/director/violinist played a major role in taking tango music to a higher level. With a couple of other composers they started the “Tango Romanza” movement. In the video above you will find Julio talking (in Spanish) about his evolutionary changes to the musical arrangements of tango as well as his invention – the horn violin. Below is a link to amazon.com with a suggested CD purchase of some of De Caro’s latest recordings of the late 40′s beginning of the 50′s. | http://urban-tango.com

Julio de Caro CD suggestion

South Philly Tango Class BEGINNER I (Jan/23/12)

In tonight’s tango beginner lesson we reviewed circular rebounds, in crossed system. Remember to face each other. Leaders should step out of the followers way to allow her to take a side step back on the same line of movement. We learned a variation of the rebound by adding a turn for the follower. | http://urban-tango.com

South Philly Tango Class BEGINNER II (Jan/23/12)

We also practiced different exits for the followers turn. Remember to lead her the pivot first before you step in. | http://urban-tango.com

South Philly Tango INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Movement & Musicality class (JAN/09/12)

In tonight’s tango lesson we learned about Osvaldo Pugliese. Below you’ll find a link to amazon.com with a suggested CD purchase of instrumentals of the mid-40′s. La Yumba as shown above is Pugliese’s signature tango. It represents his orchestra’s distinct strong rhythmical line: Yum… ba… Yum… ba… Yum… ba…  | http://urban-tango.com

Osvaldo Pugliese CD suggestion

ALL LEVELS Argentine Tango Class at Dancesport Ardmore I (DEC/09/11)

On Friday nights All Levels Argentine Tango class we worked on Barridas. Barrida means “Sweep” in Spanish… Like sacadas, barridas are an illusion created by both the leader and follower. Before initiating a sweep the leader should make contact with the followers foot as a call of attention. In the first example the follower iss lead into a front-cross, stopped through the embrace, then the leader grabs her foot and takes her into a side step with a sweep. | http://urban-tango.com

ALL LEVELS Argentine Tango Class at Dancesport Ardmore II (DEC/09/11)

During this example the follower is now the one that sweeps the leaders foot. Remember to keep your feet together throughout the whole Barrida and leaders use little pressure… It is all an illusion! It is simply a normal step from point A to B that has been slightly embellished. | http://urban-tango.com

ALL LEVELS Argentine Tango Class at Dancesport Ardmore III (DEC/09/11)

In the last example we used a change of embrace to perform a sweep behind the leaders back. The follower is still doing the turn around the leader (back, side, front). Leaders don’t forget to get that sacada in after the sweep… | http://urban-tango.com

South Philly Tango INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Movement & Musicality class (NOV/14/11)

In tonight’s tango lesson we learned about Juan D’Arienzo and his Orchestra. Known as El Rey del Compás (The King of Rhythm), D’Arienzo was a key figure in the early revival of tango, in the mid 1930′s. We explored some of his first recordings for Victor, a recording with Héctor Mauré from 1942, and the mid-50′s LOCA, shown above in a live recording. Below are are El Flete (1936) and Claudinette (1942) | http://urban-tango.com