Ultimate Tango

Speak Tango | Think Tango | Analyze Tango | Make friends through Tango | Dance the tango.

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When we think of the Tango Nuevo movement, two figures we think of right away are Gustavo Naveira and Fabian Salas. These two men worked to increase awareness of the techniques and structural understanding of tango as a whole. However, Chicho Frúmboli was another important figure in the development of the Tango Nuevo movement. We don't hear as much about him but among the founders of Tango Nuevo, Chicho Frúmboli is best known for his musicality and creativity. Around the time Naveira met Frúmboli, Naveira and Salas were already making headway into researching and conceptualizing Tango Nuevo. Naveira recounts in the interview: “But, with Chicho, around this time, with only six months of study, he was amazing as a tango dancer. Chicho was absolutely the best dancer I ever saw. He started working with us — with Fabian and me — and we said, ‘Well, we have to get him to really join us in this work, or else we have to break his legs!’ He did crazy things no one else could do!” Perhaps one reason that contributed to Frúmboli’s seemingly less prominent participation in Tango Nuevo was that Naveira and Salas had simply traveled more, and Frúmboli chose to hone his craft alone. This doesn’t diminish Frúmboli’s significant contributions to the development of Tango Nuevo. He eventually traveled to Europe himself and began teaching a new generation of tango dancers, which he continues up to this day. Learn more about Chicho Fúmboli by checking out our recent blog. https://www.ultimatetango.com/.../chicho-frumboli-tango...

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Let's have a little fun and do something different! Did you see Amanda Kloots and Alan Bersten tango on Dancing With the Stars? What do you think of it? https://youtu.be/_2ArXvfZ7do

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One of the biggest reasons people try tango...

...to have FUN with their partner. 

Being an adult can be pretty boring at times. We have so many responsibilities, chores, and obligations. Sometimes, it feels like all we do is work...and then spend time on the couch. (Are you guilty too?)

 When was the last time you laughed with your partner? When was the last time you tried something new? And had some real fun? 

Tango is a great option! We have a fantastic lineup of new classes coming your way. 

We have both in-person and online options! You can see the full schedule https://bit.ly/UltimateTango_ClassSchedule.

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How I discovered Tango... 

As a kid, I wanted to be a ballet dancer but my Mom just laughed at me and said, 

- hey, look at yourself, look at your ears. They are sticking out. You can never be a ballerina with the ears like that.But all I really loved was dancing. Despite the ears. I got hooked on partner dancing. Competitions. Team performances. There was only one problem - you needed a partner. There was also a second problem

 - you needed a good partner. Then something amazing happened...One day I got invited to the Argentine Tango class. I told them I knew nothing about tango and they reassured me, "that's ok 

- you just follow. "The 'just follow' experience was quite unique. Let me tell you why.I was used to the classes and instructors giving ladies steps, then gentleman steps, repeating it many times and eventually trying to do it together on the teacher's count. If someone missed the class, they were lost. That's why looking for a partner was such a daunting task. But Tango was different. It was based on improvisation and communication. I had never taken a single Tango lesson before 

- yet I was dancing. Nobody was counting! Yet, my partner and I both floated to the music.At first, I thought 

- oh wow, this guy is really good. I did not want to change partners, but eventually, I had to. And to my surprise, the next leader was just as good as the previous one.The embrace was also different. Instead of a stiff ballroom frame 

- we were hugging. Embracing each other and moving in unison like we knew each other and had been dancing with each other for years. I was in love!

That was the beginning...And now, I get to share my love of tango with students around the Boston area and far beyond through our online offerings. Tell me in the comments...How did YOU discover tango?

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Focus on Technique: Turns The turn in tango is often referred to as the “giro.” The turn or giro is defined as a turning step or figure. In comparison to a pivot and torsion: performing a turn isn’t so much about twisting the body but simply moving around one’s partner or changing direction. Directional turns can be used at any angle, regardless of whether this angle is big or small. From a basic figure, leaders typically take a step forward, but they need to step around their partner if they want to change the direction. Want to refine your Tango techniques? Check out our guide. https://bit.ly/F_LearnTango

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Tango is NOT just a dance. It's the way to experience the world, find connections with people, communicate your ideas clearly and be able to listen and hear. We teach Tango not as just a dance but as a philosophy of life. Drop an emoji if you agree!

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It is so important to check up on those we love during these cold winter months. While you're on the phone, ask them to take an online or in-person tango class with you!  It'll be great fun this winter. Tag a friend who loves tango!

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What Tango awakes in you is the INTUITION. The gut feeling, the instinctive feeling that has lots to do with the brain. That mysterious intuition allows you to see through the facades and know MORE about the other person than they want to show. That guarantees something very beautiful - a perfect adventure toward deepening the knowledge and partnership - TANGO SECRETS SUMMIT. The fantastic excuse for learning something new in a perfect togetherness.  Tango Secrets  - an online conference about methodology and philosophy of Argentine Tango - the most interesting event of 2022. Go ahead - you can get it here: https://bit.ly/TangoSecretsSummit_FBpAF

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Quick Tip: Embrace The Intimacy Tango is a very intimate dance style and intimacy is part of the point. The best moments of tango come when you’re comfortable with an intimate partner... letting that connection guide you. Share this post with the person you'd like to tango with!

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Do you ever practice your tango alone?

Sure, it's not the same, but if you do - you know how much practicing solo improves the couple experience. Describe your reasons behind practicing solo in one or two words.... 

I practice solo because_________________________.

Drop yours in the comments.

[ultimatetangowisdom]

Top excuses...DEBUNKED: Do you want to Tango but you keep telling yourself excuses? Read the most common excuses we hear: 1) I don't have a partner-- Not a problem! During the class, we change partners so you will always have someone to dance with. Once you are out of the program and start going out you will realize that most people dance with everyone, not with just their partner. 2) I don't have dance experience-- Excellent! Most of the tango dancers don't have early dance experience. We've all learned it as adults with no previous experience. We teach you from the very beginning in a methodical approachable way. 3) I have 2 left feet-- You will find a partner with 2 right feet! But seriously...if you can walk, you can dance! Set those excuses aside and give it a try! You'll join hundreds of other members of our vibrant community who pushed past their fears in order to embrace a new, rewarding hobby. What excuses are keeping you from trying tango?

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Many of our clients are introverts. Tango is the perfect dance for them! Much of Tango is danced in a closed embrace. Outer expression matters less, and this closed embrace offers a physically intimate and inwardly oriented space for the dance conversation between a couple to begin - this is where Tango gets its name for being the most introverted of all dances. The aim is for the embrace to be a source of non-verbal communication for the couple through muscles, breath, and gestures while making them vulnerable to share with one another. Are you ready to start honing your Tango skills? Our Tango Secrets Guide is a great place to get started. You'll learn techniques that will make your lessons more effective. It gives you the foundation you are looking for so that you can dance with confidence. https://bit.ly/F_LearnTango

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Curious what learning tango online looks like?

The last two years made us realize that tango CAN be learned online. We've perfected our techniques and are better than ever sharing tango online. Online classes and lessons provide the freedom to practice right from home. You can be comfortable right in your living room...without the commute! If you are feeling a little stir-crazy this winter, it's a great way to exercise, move and connect with your partner! Have you ever practiced tango at home?  Let us know in the comments.

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We hear a lot about resolutions this time of year... but here is a DIFFERENT question to ask yourself: How do you want to feel this year? From there, ask yourself.... What will help you feel that way? (And adjust your schedule to match!) Starting from that question leads you to a very different answer. If you want to feel closer to your partner, what actions will you take? If you want to get fit, what are fun activities that you will stick with? Have a safe New Years Eve everyone! We can't wait to tango with you in 2022!

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Tango Addict

Tango is the best way to express what you have inside. It’s not the same for everybody.Some people express themselves singing. Some other - draw or paint. Others have a job, maybe even more mentally involved - like an engineer. It’s still a form of expression.For me is very important - because it’s my form of expression. Dancing, using the body to say something.If you ask me about Tango 2 months from now - the answer might be different. 

- from Tango Secrets Chat with Silvina Tse, Silvina’s Secrets Tango Secrets 

- a conference about the Methodology and Philosophy of Argentine Tango. 

Know MORE! 

Register now:

https://bit.ly/TangoSecrets_TangoAddicts

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Tango Secret Summit

If I have to explain Tango to somebody, I don’t know if they ever get it. It’s a feeling. It’s music. It’s an experience that you share. It’s dancing. It’s hard to express in words.

- from Tango Secrets Chat with Steve Darmo, Tango Endings Tango Secrets - a conference about the Methodology and Philosophy of Argentine Tango. Know MORE! 

Register now: https://bit.ly/TangoSecrets_TangoAddicts

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This theory to start where the student is, and guarantee the success of the student very soon - does not exist in Tango. It is very rare to find a teacher, where all the students are accomplished and happy and they all made it. It’s quite opposite. Most of the students are, OMG it’s so hard, I love it, but it is so hard and I do not know what to do. We are based as a Tango culture on failure and struggle, which is more of a philosophical talk.

from Tango Secrets Chat with Tomás Howlin, Portal to Traditional Tango