Dear Maleva,
I'm struck again and again when I watch native dancers of Tango. Particularly the Argentine women who move like fish through water, whose feet trace out patterns with incredible delicacy, and whose bodies speak the tango and its sensuality with flawless fidelity and subtlety. Watching these people move, their bodies curve around the movements, and react to the music and to each other, you just know that they were raised in another culture (i.e., it's not just in the movement of their muscles but also their core inspiration and translation that is different). When I've danced with Argentine men, they too seem different. Subtle, but with tremendous personality, musicality and passion. Is it possible for a mere mortal (like an American) cultivate some of that magic in their own dance? Even
wonderful non-Argentine dancers don't seem to fully capture the Argentine dancer's distinct aesthetic. (By the way, I don't think it's genetic. I think it's cultural...)
Thanks,
Admiring from Afar

Dear Admiring,

Don't lose hope. A non-argentine can definitely capture some of that "tanguero" essence, but it takes a lot of observation, practice and yes, perhaps travel. The only way to really start dancing this way is to observe and copy great dancers. If you are lucky, you live in a place where there is a developed tango scene with lots of good dancers to watch and to dance with. It’s also beneficial (not to mention fun!) to go to tango festivals where all the best, most fanatic tangueros congregate for a weekend frenzy of dancing.

However, the best and most vibrant tango scene is in Buenos Aires and if you are able, at some point you should attend the milongas, dance/speak with milongueros, and experience Porteno life. As an American, for a long time I was reluctant to admit that Argentines do seem to have an advantage, but I will now say that they do. Of course it is not something that they are born into, but something they pick up because they are lucky enough to learn surrounded by good dancers and teachers and music. They may seem born with that certain undefinable, but definitely noticable, 'Tangoness'. But they learned it and it is something non-portenos can absolutely learn.

Porteno culture is an influence as well, but let's keep in mind Buenos Aires is not another planet. It is simply another city with its distinct feel, music, and lifestyle. I'll use the example of my hometown New York City. Take any normal human being, stuff them in a 200 sq. ft apartment, take half of their salary for rent, rush them everywhere they go and be rude to them most of the time, and see how they will start walking and talking. This doesn't mean that only someone born in NYC can act like a true New Yorker, but someone has to spend some time and feel the madness surrounding them. This particular environment has given a decidedly edgy feel and look to the movements of New York style salsa dancers that you don’t find anywhere else except in people that have spent time watching and learning from these dancers, or immersing themselves in the huge and highly energetic salsa scene here.

Interestingly enough, this also doesn't mean that every New Yorker experiences New York life the same way. The socialite living on the Upper East Side of Manhattan would probably have a different outlook and personality than the performance artist living in the East Village or the Nuyorican from the Bronx. There are plenty of Argentines who are not such great tango dancers, who just don’t ‘get’ what tango is. Furthermore, the classic "New Yorker" doesn't really exist anymore, the younger New Yorkers are much different than the older ones. This is something that many milongueros have said; that the younger generation doesn't feel or dance the tango the same way.

All that said, don't forget that wherever you are you need to PRACTICE and TIME. The longer and harder you practice the more it will sink into your bones and you will see your movements get that special tango essence. You don't need a partner to practice. Practice by yourself and practice in front of the mirror. Eventually you’ll have feet like little fish darting underwater too. The more you listen to the music, the more natural it will be. You need to log your miles on the dance floor. People can technically learn to dance proficiently in a few months, especially women, but that certain tango flavor only comes after a few years. Every year you'll see improvement. And I hate to say, but there's just no short cut around that, whether you live in Buenos Aires or Des Moines.