18/11/2024

For quite a while now, I have had a feeling that I am unhappy with the words used to describe my main role in Argentine Tango, the word ‘Follower’.


What is a Follower? What does that word suggest? It’s a word commonly used in many dance styles now to describe the role still mainly danced by women as it is considered inappropriate to say ‘men and women’ or the gentlemen or the woman’s role. 

With gender awareness, most dance styles have adopted the words ‘Leader’ and ‘Follower’, After consideration, I’ve decided I don’t like it because I don’t think it does justice to the role of the Follower in Argentine Tango and what he / she actually does, therefore I think it undermines the role of the Follower.


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02/08/2024

Escrito por Tracey Acosta con las experiencias personales de Leonardo ‘Fandango’ Acosta.


Existen muchas etiquetas dentro del mundo del Tango Argentino y probablemente algunas de las más polémicas surgen al describir las diversas categorías y géneros musicales del Tango.


Típicamente, la música de Tango Argentino ha sido clasificada con etiquetas como ‘Tradicional’, ‘Nuevo’, ‘Alternativo’, etc. Creo que estas etiquetas han tenido un efecto perjudicial en la concepción del Tango Argentino. Muchas personas escuchan la palabra ‘tradicional’ y piensan "aburrido, viejo, monótono", etc. He escuchado que algunos tipos de música de Tango Argentino se describen como “plinky, plonky”, o que los bailarines se describen como “arrastrándose por la pista”. Todo esto genera una percepción negativa hacia la música 'Tradicional'. Sin embargo, hablando con Leonardo ‘Fandango’ Acosta, fundador de Tango Fandango, quien proviene de una familia Milonguera de Buenos Aires, la palabra ‘tradicional’ es incorrecta y un malentendido.

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Photo of Leo and Tracey

31/07/2024

Written by Tracey Acosta with the personal experiences of Leonardo ‘Fandango’ Acosta


There are many labels within the world of Argentine Tango and probably some of the most contentious appear when describing the various musical categories and genres of Tango.


Typically, Argentine Tango music has been broken down into labels of ‘Traditional’, ‘Nuevo’, ‘Alternate’ etc. I believe that these labels have a damaging effect on the idea of Argentine Tango. Many people hear the word ‘traditional’ and think “boring, old, dull” etc. I’ve heard some types of Argentine Tango music described as “plinky, plonky”, or dancers described as “plodding around the floor”. All this produces a negative feeling around the perception of ‘Traditional’ music. However, speaking to Leonardo ‘Fandango’ Acosta - founder of Tango Fandango, and who comes from a Milonguero family in Buenos Aires, the word ‘traditional’ is incorrect and a misconception.

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Photo of Leo and Tracey

04/06/2024

By Leo Acosta

There are 5 main styles of social Argentine Tango:

The Canyengue / the Orillero / the Milonguero / the Tango Salon and the Nuevo but in this article we are addressing the Nuevo style as it is a label currently used by many organisers or dancers but usually, incorrectly. MORE…

Astor Piazzolla

Osvaldo Pugliese

03/06/2024

By Tracey Acosta

If you have been involved within the Argentine Tango community for any length of time, you will have become aware of workshops or videos demonstrating a series of moves called either Followers ‘decorations’, ’adornments’ or ‘embellishments’.

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