Helpful Tango Terms & Etiquette
Inviting Someone To Dance - The Cabaceo
When inviting someone to dance tango, the tradition is to catch their eye and nod your head as if saying, “Yes?” This is called a cabaceo. If they nod back, they have accepted your invitation. If they shake their head or look away, they have declined your invitation. Once the cabaceo has been accepted, whoever initiated the cabaceo walks over to the whoever accepted the cabaceo, and escorts them onto the dance floor. It is good etiquette to also escort your partner off the floor at the end of the tanda. The advantages of the cabaceo are that you can invite someone to dance from all the way across the room just by catching their eye, and if someone turns you down, no one else saw it happen, so no one will know!
Cortinas
Cortinas are non-tango songs that are played between tandas. They signal the end of the previous tanda and allow people to change partners, take a break, etc. Usually cortinas only last about 45 seconds, but at this práctica I often play the whole song, and you are encouraged to dance to it – you can dance tango, swing, salsa, or just rock out! At this práctica, cortinas are whatever you need them to be. However, it is not good etiquette to ask someone to dance the next tanda while the cortina is still playing. If you want the next tanda with someone, wait until tango music starts again before cabaceoing them.
Genders and Roles
At all Tango CLT events, we welcome the whole spectrum of gender, sexual orientation, and gender expression. Anyone may lead, anyone may follow, you may switch at will, and any two consenting adults may cabaceo and dance with each other.
Tandas
Tango is traditionally danced in tandas, or sets of three or four songs. (Here, we do three-song tandas.) At a milonga (a formal tango dance), you cabaceo your partner at the beginning of the first song of a tanda and then dance all three or four songs with that person. Here at a práctica (an informal dance) we can be more relaxed. Dance whenever you want for however long you want! Still, the three-song tanda is a good guideline to follow, and most tango dancers dance whole tandas with each other.
The Line Of Dance
Tango couples dance in a slow-moving circle that rotates counterclockwise around the floor. If the floor is crowded, there may be two circles – an outer circle and an inner circle. You should maintain your place in the line of dance, which means do not race past the couple in front of you or go so slowly that everyone backs up behind you. Do not switch lanes, and do not go backwards more than one step to avoid bumping the couple behind you. Be aware of your surroundings and the other couples on the floor. When everyone is following the line of dance, it is a beautiful thing. The whole group moves in harmony!
Offering Feedback
Please only offer feedback to your partner if they invite you to do so, or if they do a step in a way that is really not comfortable. You may politely ask if they are open to feedback. Be positive and constructive. In any case, please do not play the role of a teacher on the dance floor. Sarah and Matt are always happy to help you if you have questions. Also, the custom is to chat a little at the beginning of a song, but once you start dancing, you should end the chat.
Etiquette
You are encouraged to be generous and dance with many people of all ages and abilities! This creates community, reduces cliqueishness, and is also the best way to improve your dancing. It’s good practice to scan the room and see if anyone looks lonely or seems left out and invite them to dance. Tango is an ecosystem, and we want all parts of it to be happy & healthy!
At the same time, you may decline a dance with anyone for any reason without having to explain yourself. If someone declines your cabaceo, you should accept this and not ask the person why they have declined you. It might just be because they are tired and need to rest their feet. Let it go, and maybe try again later. If the person declines you more than once, ask no questions and let it go for the evening.
If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, please do not hesitate to let Matt or Sarah know, and we will do our best to address the source of your discomfort. We want this práctica to be a safe, welcoming, and respectful event for all!