The Latin Competitions

Latin people looking in on The Latin Competitions
By Brandis Riba, New Jersey

Latin people all agree that the Paso Doble is supposed to be intense but what they see at the competitions is grotesque facial contortions that border on hiliarity. What they also see is overpowering jazz and disco elements choreographed to (sometimes Latin music) and called Latin dancing. Many find the women’s costumes distasteful and even shameful to their culture.

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas."

As I dodge a few hurling tomatoes and crawl back to my desk, let me tell you what my Argentine and Uruguayan friends have taught me about the tango and their relationships with the competitions.

Thanks to Argentine shows that have roared through the U.S. and Europe, the world now knows that the authentic tango is a completly different dance than what is displayed at the competitions.

The history is fascinating, and it has to do with the Argentine depressions and dictatorships that would cut her off from the rest of the world for decades. and a legend about a Prussian soldier inventing a military march time during WWII that set the standard for the European tango forever after.

"La Comparsita" by Placido Domingo

For many years, Argentine and Uruguayan people throughout the world saw that the tango demonstrated as a ballroom dance is totally foreign from what they knew. Many have told me they "just couldn’t bear to watch" those competitions. But somehow their authentic style has prevailed. Instead of lamenting, they made their own performance and the world was moved to tears.

They played their own music, danced their own dance and even the heart of the "cantador" and the soul of the "bandoneon." The tango of Argentina has made her place in the world.

Even ballroom competitors will attempt a little Argentine flavored footwork in their show pieces. I’ve even seen a video or two claiming to be representing the Argentine Tango, although most of it is really just fancy moves done to the American Tango.

"El Dia Que Me Quieras" by Julio Iglesias 

The proper recognition is coming, be patient.