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<!DOCTYPE>
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<meta charset="utf-8">
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<title>Video Resources for the Tango Dancer</title>
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Tango Argentino de Tejas</a>
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<div class="navbar-collapse collapse">
<ul class="nav navbar-nav navbar-right">
<li id="slogan" >Archive of tejastango.com from 2000-2014</li>
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<header class="site-header" name="top">
<div class="container">
<h1>Video Resources for the Tango Dancer</h1>
</div>
</header>
<!----------------------->
<div class="container">
<div class="page-content">
<img class="intropix"
SRC="res/vidvert.jpg" ALT="tango videos" >
<div class="author">
by Stephen Brown
<br>Last Update 22 December 2012
<br><b>We are No longer maintaining this page</b>
<p>Listings, reviews and ratings of videos offering instruction in Argentine
tango; including sections on videos about beginning tango, technique and
structure, intermediate and advanced tango steps and figures, milonguero-style
tango, orillero, canyengue, fantasia, milonga, vals and individual styles.
<br><br>
Part 2: <a href="bridge_tango.html">Reviews of Bridge to the Tango videos</a>
</div>
<p><a href="#Introduction">Introduction</a>
<br><a href="#New">New Listings, Ratings and Reviews</a>
<br><a href="#DVD">What's Available on DVD</a>
<br><a href="#Download">What's Available on Video Downloads</a>
<br><a href="#bridge">Bridge to the Tango Videos</a>
<br><a href="#instructors">Index of Instructors</a>
<br><a href="#Reviews/Ratings">Listings, Reviews and Ratings</a> (for 200+
Instructional Videos)
<br><a href="#Beginners">Videos Most Suitable for Beginners</a>
<br><a href="#Intermediate/Advanced">Videos of Intermediate and Advanced
Tango Steps and Figures</a>
<br><a href="#comprehensive">Videos Offering Comprehensive Programs of
Instruction</a>
<br><a href="#Technique">Videos about Technique</a>
<br><a href="#Structure">Videos about Structure</a>
<br><a href="#Milonguero">Videos about Milonguero-Style Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Orillero">Videos about Orillero-Style Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Canyengue">Videos about Canyengue-Style Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Fantasia">Videos about Tango Fantasia (Tango for the Stage)</a>
<br><a href="#Milonga">Videos about Milonga</a>
<br><a href="#Vals">Videos about Vals (Tango Waltz)</a>
<br><a href="#Individual_Styles">Videos Documenting an Individual Style</a>
<br><a href="#Other">Other Video Resources</a>
<p>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<h2>
<a NAME="Introduction"></a>Introduction</h2>
The number DVDs, video downloads and video tapes offering instruction in
Argentine tango continues to grow. As recently as the mid-1990s, about
20 instructional video tapes were available in North America. Some
were of dubious quality. Today, about 200 instructional DVDs, videos
downloads and video tapes are readily available. Many are excellent or
outstanding.
<p>The market has made a decided shift toward DVDs and video downloads. A
number of the titles that were once available on video are now only available
on DVD. A growing number of titles are available on video download.
<p>The large number of DVDs, video downloads and video tapes suggests that many
people find such instruction helpful in learning Argentine tango. If you
are fortunate enough to live in an active tango community with regular
instruction, videos can offer a different perspective and new ideas. If
you live in an area that is without regular instruction, videos may be the only
way to learn Argentine Tango.
<p>For a number of years, I have been watching, reviewing and rating videos
that offer instruction in Argentine tango. I started these reviews
by getting my hands on the 22 videos that I knew existed at the time—buying
some and borrowing others. In my naivete and inexperience in dancing
tango, I found it relatively easy to rate the videos by a simple criterion;
could I learn something useful from them?
<p>As the number of videos grew and my experience with Argentine tango
expanded to include a number of years teaching, I moved on to other subjective
criteria such as the quality of the dancing (including the form and musicality
of the movement), the quality of the video production, the clarity of the
instruction, and the usefulness of the material for social dancing (or other
stated purpose). For videos intended for advanced dancers, I also look
for originality, which puts an ever increasing burden on the newer videos
offering advanced material. Always at the forefront of my mind is a
variation of my original question: Can the viewer learn something useful from
the video?
<p>People who know me, my dancing, my tango friends and my tango mentors
are likely to know the inherent biases that I have in rating instructional
videos even better than I do. I dance social Argentine tango improvisationally.
Moreover, I consider improvisation a basic skill rather than an advanced
skill. Only a few of the videos offer instruction that is designed
to develop improvisational skills. Most notable are those by <a href="#Cote_improvisation">Christy
Coté and George Garcia</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Naveira/Besio">Gustavo
Naveira and Olga Besio</a>, and <a href="#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a>.
A few other videos offer instruction in <a href="#Structure">structure</a>
and <a href="#Technique">technique</a>.
<p>Nearly all of the available instructional DVDs, video downloads and video tapes
could convey the impression that Argentine tango is a collection of frozen step
patterns, including those videos that provide instruction in
<a href="#Milonguero">milonguero-style tango</a>. Although, I do not
consider learning rote patterns to be a foundation for dancing, learning such
patterns can provide knowledge that is useful for dancing. One can look at
the best of these videos as being of similar instructional value as a jazz musician
listening to and copying the solos of great jazz musicians. Consequently, I
accept these videos for what they are rather than what they are not.
<p>Although the <a href="#Zotto/Godoy">Osvaldo Zotto/Mora Godoy</a> videos
can convey the impression that Argentine tango is a collection of frozen
step patterns, they remain a standard by which to judge the quality of
other videos. I consider Osvaldo Zotto to be one of the great dancers
of his generation. In addition, the Zotto/Godoy five-video series
is a model of production values and clarity in instruction.
<p>To date, I have identified more than 200 instructional videos about
Argentine tango that are readily available for purchase in the United States.
(Although I make every attempt to keep abreast of the growing number of
instructional videos for Argentine Tango, there may be more. Please
excuse any omissions, and let me know if you discover any additional instructional
video downloads, video tapes or DVDs that are available.) For tango videos,
readily available is relative. It means someone will sell the tape to you via mail
order without having previously taught you the material.
<p><b><i>Caveat Emptor</i>: A number of videos once sold as Argentine
Tango offer instruction in ballroom Tango or a mixture of ballroom and
Argentine Tango. I include several such videos in the reviews, but
I make no attempt to provide comprehensive coverage of such videos.</b>
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<h2>
<a NAME="New"></a>New Listings, Ratings and Reviews</h2>
<p><br><b>The most recent additions to the listings are as follows:</b>
<p>Added 22 December 2012
<br><a href="#Salas">Fabián Salas</a> with Lola Díaz — <a href="#Salas_dance">Learn
to Dance</a> (8 DVDs)
<p>Added 1 September 2012
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Krebs">Alex Krebs</a> and
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Krebs_Trenner">Tangologues 1</a> (Video Download)
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman_boleos">Boleos</a> (Video Download)
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman_darkside">Cool Moves from the Dark Side</a> (Video Download)
<br>
<p><b>The most recent additions to the ratings and reviews are as follows:</b>
<p>Added 2 September 2012
<br><a href="#ricardo_rotraut">Ricardo "El Holandés" and Rotraut
Rumbaum</a> — <a href="#ricardo_rotraut_salon">Tango de Salon</a> (2 DVDs)
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<h2>
<a NAME="DVD"></a>What's Available on DVD</h2>
Anyone who uses a DVD quickly recognizes the advantages of the medium for
instruction. If well indexed, an instructional DVD can provide the
viewer with rapid access to each segment that is of particular interest.
It is also an ideal medium for reviewing segments. Currently, the
number of instructional DVDs is limited to about 100 titles, but that number
has grown rapidly, and a number of titles that were once available only on video
are now only available on DVD.
<p><a href="#Avellaneda">Pepito Avellaneda</a> — <a href="#Avellaneda_milonga">Asi
Se Baila Milonga</a> (3 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Balmaceda/Rosa">Julio Balmaceda and Corina de La Rosa</a>
— <a href="#Balmaceda/Rosa_tango">Tango Basics and Secrets</a>
<br><a href="#Balmaceda/Rosa">Julio Balmaceda and Corina de La Rosa</a>
— <a href="#Balmaceda/Rosa_giros">Giros</a>
<br><a href="#Castro">Mauricio Castro</a> — <a href="#Castro_tango">Tango
Dance Training</a> (3 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Copes">Juan Carlos Copes with Johana Copes</a> — <a href="#Copes_tango">Tango
and Milonga</a>
<br><a href="#Cote">Christy Coté and George Garcia</a> — <a href="#Cote_tango">Argentine
Tango, Milonga and Vals</a> (20 DVDs)
<br><a href="#DeAmoLapadula">Dolores De Amo and Daniel Lapadula</a> — <a href="#estiloCentro">Tango
Estilo del Centro</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Galeassi_Godoy">Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy</a> — <a href="#Galeassi_Godoy_tango">Tango
Lessons with the World's Champions</a>
<br><a href="#Galeassi_Godoy">Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy</a>
— <a href="#Galeassi_Godoy_tv2">Tango Lessons 2</a>
<br><a href="#Gavito">Carlos Gavito with Marcela Duran</a> — <a href="#un_tal_Gavito">Un
Tal Gavito</a> (3 DVDs)
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia</a>
— <a href="#gandl_salon">Tango Salon</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia</a>
— <a href="#gandl_advanced">Advanced Tango Figures and Sequences</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek accompanied by Cecilia Gonzalez</a>
— <a href="#gandg_reves">Tango al Revés</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek assisted by Sergio Segura</a>
— <a href="#gaz_leading">Leading in Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Ghi/Merlo">Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo</a>
— <a href="#Ghi/Merlo_exercise">Main Exercise Program</a>
<br><a href="#Ghi/Merlo">Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo</a>
— <a href="#Ghi/Merlo_elements">Tango Elements</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Gloria/Eduardo">Gloria & Eduardo</a>
— <a href="#Gloria/Eduardo_videos">Gloria y Eduardo</a> (3 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Kronos">Carlos "El Tordo" Kronos and Liliana Tolomei</a>
— <a href="#kronos_salon">Tango
Argentino de Salón</a>
<br><a href="#Diego/Gabriela">Diego Ladeveze and Gabriela Lopez</a>
— <a href="#Diego/Gabriela_basics">Tango Romantico</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Lampazo">Lampazo</a> — <a href="#Lampazo_Stanford">Lampazo
at Stanford</a>
<br><a href="#Larici_Patyn">Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn</a> — <a href="#Larici_Patyn_dance">Let's
Dance Together</a>
<br><a href="#Liu_Solano">David Liu and Nancy Solano</a> — <a href="#Liu_Solano_tango">Learn to Dance Tango</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba</a> — <a href="#Nito/Elba_1993">Workshops
1993</a>
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba</a> — <a href="#Nito/Elba_1995">Workshops
1995</a>
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba</a> — <a href="#Nito/Elba_Stanford">Teach
Tango at Stanford - 1996</a>
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba</a> — <a href="#Nito/Elba_1997">1997
U.S. Tour</a>
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba</a> — <a href="#Nito/Elba_1999">Teach
Argentine Tango 1999</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_basicos">Tango Basicos Fundamentales</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_giros">Giros</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_pasos">Pasos para Lucirse</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_tvm">Tango, Vals y Milonga</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_romantic">Romantic Style Tango</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_rhythmic">Rhytmic Style Tango</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_secrets">Tango Secrets</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_bsas">Tango de Buenos Aires</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_rtbsas">Romantico Tango de Buenos Aires</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_vbsas">Vals de Buenos Aires</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
— <a href="#mandv_mbsas">Milonga de Buenos Aires</a>
<br><a href="#Paiva">Orlando Paiva</a> — <a href="#Paiva/Susana_tango">Orlando
Paiva & Susana Teach Argentine Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Paiva">Orlando Paiva</a> — <a href="#Paiva_vol1">Argentine
Tango Elegant; Volume I, Basic</a>
<br><a href="#Paiva">Orlando Paiva</a> — <a href="#Paiva_vol2">Argentine
Tango Elegant; Volume II, Intermediate</a>
<br><a href="#Pocho/Stella">Pocho Pizzarro</a> — <a href="#Pocho_his">His
Dancing, His Life and the History of Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Pulpo">Norberto Esbrez "El Pulpo" and Luiza Paes</a>
— <a href="#pulpo_patriotica">Tango en La Patriótica</a>
<br><a href="#Ricardo/Nicole">Ricardo and Nicole</a> — <a href="#Ricardo/Nicole_curso">Curso
de Tango</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Ricardo/Nicole">Ricardo and Nicole</a> — <a href="#Ricardo/Nicole_milonga">Milonga</a>
<br><a href="#ricardo_rotraut">Ricardo "El Holandés" and Rotraut
Rumbaum</a> — <a href="#ricardo_rotraut_salon">Tango de Salon</a> (2 DVDs)
<br><a href="#ricardo_rotraut">Ricardo "El Holandés" and Rotraut
Rumbaum</a> — <a href="#ricardo_rotraut_vals">Vals</a>
<br><a href="#Salas">Fabián Salas</a> with Cecilia González — <a href="#Salas_tango">The
Tango Fundamentals</a> (3 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Salas">Fabián Salas</a> with Lola Díaz — <a href="#Salas_dance">Learn
to Dance</a> (8 DVDs)
<br><a href="#sansour">Emile Sansour</a> — <a href="#Sansour_tango">InTango</a>
<br><a href="#Solis">Marcelo Solís</a> — <a href="#Solis_tango">Tango
Argentino</a>
<br><a href="#Solis">Marcelo Solís</a> — <a href="#Solis_circular">Moving
Circular</a>
<br><a href="#Valle">Luciana Valle</a>
— <a href="#valle_v1">Fundamentals of Tango</a>
<br><a href="#Vega">Omar Vega</a> — <a href="#vega_milonga_traspie">Milonga
con Traspie</a>
<br><a href="#videla_asprea">Agustina Videla and Claudio Asprea</a> — <a href="#videla_asprea_heart">Tango
from the Heart</a>
<br><a href="#DiFalco/Zokalski">Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco</a>
— <a href="#one_step">One Step Further</a> (4 DVDs)
<br><a href="#Zotto/Godoy">Osvaldo Zotto and Mora Godoy</a> — <a href="#Zotto/Godoy_tango">Asi
Se Baila El Tango, vol 1-3</a> (1 DVD)
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<h2>
<a NAME="Download"></a>What's Available on Video Downloads</h2>
Video downloads represent a movement away from the constraints of playing
physical media. If well indexed, an instructional video download can provide the
viewer with rapid access to each segment that is of particular interest.
It is also an ideal medium for reviewing segments. Currently, the
number of instructional downloads is limited, but the number is growing, and a number
of Bridge to the Tango titles that were once available only on video tape are now
available as video downloads.
<p><a href="bridge_tango.html#Besio">Olga Besio</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Besio_adornment">The Art and Technique of Adornment</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Bruno">Juan Bruno</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Bruno_kid">The Kid from Ciudadela</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Castello">Puppy Castello</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Castello_tango">The Tango of Puppy Castello</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Cieri">Maria and Rodolfo Cieri</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Cieri_tango">The Tango of Maria and Rodolfo Cieri</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski">Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski_leader">Leader's Tango Technique</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski">Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski_follower">Follower's Tango Technique</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski">Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski_salon">Salon Tango Figures</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski">Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski_waltz">Tango Waltz Figures</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia</a>
— <a href="#gandl_salon">Tango Salon</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia</a>
— <a href="#gandl_advanced">Advanced Tango Figures and Sequences</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek accompanied by Cecilia Gonzalez</a>
— <a href="#gandg_reves">Tango al Revés</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek assisted by Sergio Segura</a>
— <a href="#gaz_leading">Leading in Tango</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Krebs">Alex Krebs</a> and
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Krebs_Trenner">Tangologues 1</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#OConnell">Tommy O'Connell</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#OConnell_close">Tango in the Close Embrace</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#OConnell">Tommy O'Connell</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#OConnell_milonga">Milonga Falcety</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Roldan/Mendez">Elina Roldan</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Roldan_followers/close">Follower's Technique in the Close Embrace</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Romero/Galla">Victor Romero and Norma Galla</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Romero/Galla_orillero">The Tango Orillero</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman_followers">Technique for Followers</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman_boleos">Boleos</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman_darkside">Cool Moves from the Dark Side</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Taccetti">Florencia Taccetti</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Taccetti_followers">Technique and Adornment for Followers</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Tete/Silvia">Tete and Silvia</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Tete/Silvia_tango">Fundamentals of Salon Tango</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Tete/Silvia">Tete and Silvia</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Tete/Silvia_Waltz">Advanced Salon Tango in Waltz Rhythm</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a> and
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner/Shulman_videos">Instructional Video (Levels I-III)</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a> and
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner/Shulman_milonguero">Advanced Close Embrace</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a> with
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner_traspie">Milonga Traspie</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a> and
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner/Shulman_exchange">Exchange of Lead and Follow</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Vega">Omar Vega</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Vega_int/adv">Intermediate/Advanced Tango</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Vega">Omar Vega</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Vega_milonga">Milonga</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Zotto/Ermocida">Osvaldo Zotto and Lorena Ermocida</a>
— <a href="bridge_tango.html#Zotto/Ermocida_advanced">Advanced Training in Buenos Aires</a>
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<h2>
<a NAME="bridge"></a>Bridge to the Tango Videos</h2>
Updated 1 September 2012
<p>Between 1996 and 2001, Daniel Trenner produced 72 instructional videos
for his Bridge to the Tango label. The videos cover his own teaching
and dancing, Rebecca Shulman's and that of a number of other masters from
the older and younger generations.
<p>An era came to an end on January 1, 2007 when all Bridge to the Tango
instructional videos were officially withdrawn from the market. Nonetheless,
several vendors have remaining copies of most of the Bridge to the Tango videos
for sale in VHS format. Among the sources are
<a href="http://www.danieltrenner.com/store_s" target="new">Daniel Trenner's store</a> and
Phil Seyer's <a href="http://www.Argentine-tango.com/" target="new">Argentine Tango webpage</a>.
In addition, Daniel Trenner is in the process of releasing the material as video downloads
available through <a href="http://www.itangocafe.com" target="new">itangocafe.com</a>.
In addition, Daniel has recorded several new videos which are only available as video downloads.
<p>Information about the complete Bridge to the Tango catalog is available through
<a href="http://www.danieltrenner.com/store_s" target="new">Daniel Trenner's store</a>.
<p>For my complete assessment of the Bridge to the Tango titles, see <a href="bridge_tango.html">Bridge
to the Tango Videos</a> or click on the links below for information about videos made by particular instructors.
<p><b><font size=+1>Individual Bridge to the Tango Titles:</font></b>
<p><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a> and <a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca
Shulman</a>
<p><b>Masters of the Older Generation:</b>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Avellaneda">Pepito and Suzuki Avellaneda</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Balmaceda/Araganaraz">Miguel
Balmaceda and Nelly Argañaraz</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Bravo">Raul
Bravo</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Bruno">Juan Bruno</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Castello">Puppy
Castello</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Cieri">Maria and Rodolfo Cieri</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Manolo/Coca">Manolo
and Coca</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#OConnell">Tommy O'Connell</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Petaca">Petaca</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Pocho/Stella">Pocho
Pizarro and Stella Barba</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Puente_al_Tango">Puente
al Tango</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Pugliese">Mingo and Esther Pugliese</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Romero/Galla">Victor
Romero and Norma Galla</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Tete/Silvia">Tete
and Silvia</a>
<p><b>Masters of the New Generation:</b>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Besio">Olga Besio</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Cappussi/Flores">Eduardo
Cappussi and Mariana Flores</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#DiFalco/Zokalski">Diego
Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Pulpo">Norberto
Esbrez "El Pulpo"</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Fontclara/Alvaro">Zoraida
Fontclara and Diego Alvaro</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Chicho">Mariano
"Chicho" Frumboli</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Garofolo">Jose Garofolo</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Ghi/Merlo">Fernanda
Ghi and Guillermo Merlo</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Inza/Alvarenja">Pablo
Inza and Veronica Alvarenja</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Krebs">Alex Krebs</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Naveira/Besio">Gustavo
Naveira and Olga Besio</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Puente_al_Tango">Puente
al Tango</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Pugliese">Pablo Pugliese</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Roldan/Mendez">Elina
Roldan and Julio Mendez</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Taccetti">Florencia
Taccetti</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner/Shulman">Daniel Trenner
and Rebecca Shulman</a>,
<a href="bridge_tango.html#Valle/Guerberoff">Luciana
Valle and Gabriel Guerberoff</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Vega">Omar
Vega</a>, <a href="bridge_tango.html#Zotto/Ermocida">Osvaldo Zotto and
Lorena Ermocida</a>
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<center><a NAME="instructors"></a>
<h2>Index of Instructors</h2></center>
<a href="#Anton/Grodona">Martha Anton and Luis Grodona</a>
<br><a href="#Gloria/Eduardo">Eduardo Arquimbau</a>
<br><a href="#videla_asprea">Claudio Asprea and Agustina Videla</a>
<br><a href="#Avellaneda">Pepito Avellaneda</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Avellaneda">Suzuki Avellaneda</a>
<br><a href="#Balmaceda/Rosa">Julio Balmaceda and Corina de La Rosa</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Balmaceda/Araganaraz">Miguel Balmaceda and Nelly Argañaraz</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Besio">Olga Besio</a>
<br><a href="#Bottomer">Paul and Elaine Bottomer</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Bravo">Raul Bravo</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Bruno">Juan Bruno</a>
<br><a href="#DiFalco/Zokalski">Carolina and Diego</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Cappussi/Flores">Eduardo Cappussi and Mariana Flores</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Castello">Puppy Castello</a>
<br><a href="#Castro">Mauricio Castro</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Chicho">Chicho</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Cieri">Maria and Rodolfo Cieri</a>
<br><a href="#Claudio/Veronica">Claudio and Veronica</a>
<br><a href="#Copello/Monti">Carlos Copello and Alicia Monti</a>
<br><a href="#Copes">Juan Carlos Copes with Johana Copes</a>
<br><a href="#Eduardo/Mercedes/Copes/Nieves">Juan Carlos Copes and Maria Nieves</a>
<br><a href="#Cote">Christy Coté</a>
<br><a href="#DeAmoLapadula">Dolores De Amo</a>
<br><a href="#Diego/Gabriela">Diego and Gabriela</a>
<br><a href="#Salas_dance">Lola Díaz</a>
<br><a href="#DiFalco/Zokalski">Diego Di Falco and Carolina Zokalski</a>
<br><a href="#Dinzel">Gloria and Rodolfo Dinzel</a>
<br><a href="#Gavito">Marcela Duran</a>
<br><a href="#Eduardo/Mercedes/Copes/Nieves">Eduardo & Mercedes</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Zotto/Ermocida">Lorena Ermocida</a>
<br><a href="#Pulpo">Norberto Esbrez "El Pulpo" and Luiza Paes</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Fontclara/Alvaro">Zoraida Fontclara and Diego Alvaro</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Chicho">Mariano "Chicho" Frumboli</a>
<br><a href="#Galeassi_Godoy">Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy</a>
<br><a href="#Cote">George Garcia</a>
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba Garcia</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Garofolo">Jose Garofolo</a>
<br><a href="#Gavito">Carlos Gavito with Marcela Duran</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Anton Gazenbeek and Natalie Laruccia</a>
<br><a href="#Ghi/Merlo">Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo</a>
<br><a href="#Gloria/Claudio">Gloria and Claudio</a>
<br><a href="#Gloria/Eduardo">Gloria & Eduardo</a>
<br><a href="#Godoy">Mora Godoy</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Valle/Guerberoff">Gabriel Guerberoff</a>
<br><a href="#Salas_tango">Cecilia González</a>
<br><a href="#Anton/Grodona">Luis Grodona and Martha Anton</a>
<br><a href="#hart/paz">Valorie Hart</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Inza/Alvarenja">Pablo Inza and Veronica Alvarenja</a>
<br><a href="#Ricardo/Nicole">Ricardo Klapwijk</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Krebs">Alex Krebs</a>
<br><a href="#Kronos">Carlos "El Tordo" Kronos and Liliana Tolomei</a>
<br><a href="#Diego/Gabriela">Diego Ladeveze and Gabriela Lopez</a>
<br><a href="#Lampazo">Lampazo</a>
<br><a href="#DeAmoLapadula">Daniel Lapadula</a>
<br><a href="#Larici_Patyn">Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn</a>
<br><a href="#Liu_Solano">David Liu and Nancy Solano</a>
<br><a href="#GazenbeekandLaruccia">Natalie Laruccia</a>
<br><a href="#MandagaranandVargas">Oscar Mandagaran and Georgina Vargas</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Manolo/Coca">Manolo and Coca</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Roldan/Mendez">Julio Mendez</a>
<br><a href="#Morris/Foraponova">Chris Morris and Oliana Foraponova</a>
<br><a href="#Montez">Ron and Karla Montez</a>
<br><a href="#Ricardo/Nicole">Nicole Nau</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Naveira/Besio">Gustavo Naveira and Olga Besio</a>
<br><a href="#Nel">Jorge Nel</a>
<br><a href="#Nito/Elba">Nito and Elba</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#OConnell">Tommy O'Connell</a>
<br><a href="#Paiva">Orlando Paiva</a>
<br><a href="#hart/paz">Alberto Paz</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Petaca">Petaca</a>
<br><a href="#Pocho/Stella">Pocho Pizarro and Stella Barba</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Puente_al_Tango">Puente al Tango</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Pugliese">Mingo, Esther and Pablo Pugliese</a>
<br><a href="#Pulpo">El Pulpo and Luiza Paes</a>
<br><a href="#Ricardo/Nicole">Ricardo and Nicole</a>
<br><a href="#ricardo_rotraut">Ricardo "El Holandés" and Rotraut Rumbaum</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Roldan/Mendez">Elina Roldan and Julio Mendez</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Romero/Galla">Victor Romero and Norma Galla</a>
<br><a href="#Claudio/Veronica">Claudio Omar Rubio and Maria Veronica Ruggieri</a>
<br><a href="#Salas">Fabián Salas</a>
<br><a href="#sansour">Emile Sansour</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Shulman">Rebecca Shulman</a>
<br><a href="#Simard">Ive Simard</a>
<br><a href="#Solis">Marcelo Solís</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Taccetti">Florencia Taccetti</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Tete/Silvia">Tete and Silvia</a>
<br><a href="#Kronos">Liliana Tolomei</a>
<br><a href="#Kronos">Carlos "El Tordo" and Liliana Tolomei</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner">Daniel Trenner</a>
<br><a href="#Trenner">Daniel Trenner (with Brooke Burdett)</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Trenner/Shulman">Daniel Trenner and Rebecca Shulman</a>
<br><a href="#Valle">Luciana Valle</a>
<br><a href="#Vega">Omar Vega</a>
<br><a href="#videla_asprea">Agustina Videla and Claudio Asprea</a>
<br><a href="#DiFalco/Zokalski">Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco</a>
<br><a href="bridge_tango.html#Zotto/Ermocida">Osvaldo Zotto and Lorena Ermocida</a>
<br><a href="#Zotto/Godoy">Osvaldo Zotto and Mora Godoy</a>
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<hr WIDTH="100%">
<h2>
<a NAME="Reviews/Ratings"></a>Listings, Reviews and Ratings</h2>
Below or on related pages are a listing and description for each of the
approximately 200 readily available videos and DVDs offering instruction
in Argentine tango. I also provide ratings and reviews for most of
the videos. Although my ratings have been influenced by other
opinions, they are mine alone. Unless otherwise specified, all
videos are in English with VHS format and conform to NTSC standards.
<p><b>Rating System:</b>
<br>
<table WIDTH="43%" >
<tr>
<td><i class="rate pass"></i></td>
<td>Not Recommended for Purchase</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i class="rate star1"></i></td>
<td>Fair</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i class="rate star2"></i></td>
<td>Good</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i class="rate star3"></i></td>
<td>Very Good</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i class="rate star4"></i></td>
<td>Most Excellent</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i class="rate star5"></i></td>
<td>Truly Outstanding</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><i class="rate not"></i></td>
<td>Not Yet Rated (principally new videos)</td>
</tr>
</table>
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Anton/Grodona"></a><b>Martha Anton and Luis Grodona</b> are
well known for dancing Canyengue, a form of Argentine tango that was popular
during the 1920s and early 30s that may or may not be accurately captured
by its current and recent practioners. From his memories of his parents'
generation of dancers, Luis has recreated his vision of the style.
The embrace is close and in an offset V; the dancers typically have bent
knees as they move; and the woman does not execute a cross. The steps
are short and frequently executed in the stacatto rhythm that is characteristic
of the tango music played by the old guard. Although Grodona's Canyengue
uses somewhat different figures than that of Ruben Terbalca or the late
Rodolfo Cieri (who are also known for the style), it corresponds quite
well to the dancing of other older tango dancers from outlying districts
and cities who learned tango as children.
<p><i class="rate star5"></i><a NAME="Anton/Grodona_cayengue"></a>Martha
Anton and Luis Grodona — <i>Asi Se Baila Canyengue I & II</i> (2 video
tapes)
<br>Produced by Solo Tango, this outstanding two-video series well captures
the Canyengue of Martha Anton and Luis Grodona. The first video covers
the embrace, a basic step called "el horqueta," and 11 other step patterns.
The second video offers nine more advanced step patterns. All of
the patterns are taught as elements to be added to the horqueta.
Instruction is clear and concise, covering the step patterns, the footwork,
and the lead and the follow. Instruction is primarily provided in
Spanish with English subtitles, supplemented by voice over in English.
The leading that comes from leg flexion is not explained and occasionally
aspects of the instruction depart from the demonstration dances.
Martha and Luis exhibit strong rhyhtmic drive and great musicality in their
numerous exhibition dances. The video would be most useful for those
who want a look at tango's history. A few of the step patterns could
be adapted to milonguero-style tango. Possibly available from Zival's
<a href="http://www.tangostore.com/" target="new">TangoStore</a> in Buenos Aires;
<a href="http://www.tangocd.com/" target="new">TangoCD.com</a> in Niagra Falls,
New York; <a href="http://www.danzaymovimiento.com/" target="new">Danza y Movimiento</a>
in Hamburg, Germany; or <a href="http://www.TangoDirect.com/" target="new">TangoDirect.com</a>
in Buenos Aires.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Avellaneda"></a>The late <b>Pepito Avellaneda</b>
was a well-regarded milonguero who had many students. He was
particularly well-known for his style of dancing milonga.
<p><i class="rate star5"></i><a NAME="Avellaneda_milonga"></a>Pepito
Avellaneda — <i>Asi Se Baila Milonga</i> (3 videos or DVDs)
<br>From Solo Tango, this well produced video series captures much of the
the milonga of Pepito Avellaneda. The first volume is a wonderful
homage to Pepito, containing archival footage of the maestro's dancing
and interviews of Pepito and some of his many friends. Volumes 2
and 3 are instructional, with volume 2 providing coverage of beginning
and intermediate step patterns in Pepito's style and volume 3 providing
coverage of advanced steps in his style. After opening with Pepito's
advice on posture, the embrace, and the salida, volume 2 covers 10 step
patterns that quickly proceed from some basics to more challenging material.
For most patterns, Pepito demonstrates the figures with Dolores De Amo
or Suzuki and carefully explains the movements in Spanish with English
subtitles. That is followed with details of the man's steps, the
woman's steps, the man's footwork, and then woman's footwork as descibed
by voice over and variously shown by Pepito, Dolores, Suzuki, Fernando
Soleau or Mariana Bonavente. To round out the instruction for each
step pattern, voice over provides a brief description of the lead as demonstrated
by Pepito, Pepito gives some advice on learning or using the step pattern,
and then he dances a fairly lengthy demonstration with Dolores and Suzuki
usually only the step patterns taught to the point. Volume 3 continues
in the same format to provide coverage of 10 additional step patterns,
most of which contain double-time elements. In both videos, the material
is interesting, instruction is clear and well paced, and many of the demonstration
dances will have viewers wanting to get up and dance milonga with Pepito.
Although the instructional videos start with the basics, they are probably
best suited to those who have at least some knowledge of milonga.
Possibly available from Zival's
<a href="http://www.tangostore.com/" target="new">TangoStore</a> in Buenos Aires,
<a href="http://www.tangocd.com/" target="new">TangoCD.com</a> in Niagra Falls,
New York, <a href="http://www.danzaymovimiento.com/" target="new">Danza y Movimiento</a>
in Hamburg, Germany or <a href="http://www.TangoDirect.com/" target="new">TangoDirect.com</a>
in Buenos Aires.<br>
<p>Also see <a href="bridge_tango.html#Avellaneda">Suzuki Avellaneda</a> (with Pablo Nievas)
— <i><a href="bridge_tango.html#Avellaneda_advanced">The
Advanced Milonga of Pepito Avelleneda</a></i> on the webpage <a href="bridge_tango.html">Bridge
to the Tango Videos</a>.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Balmaceda/Rosa"></a><b>Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa</b>
are well-regarded instructors from Buenos Aires who tour frequently to
teach. Julio took his first lessons from his father (<a href="#Balmaceda/Araganaraz">Miguel
Balmaceda</a>), and during many years he had accompanied and assisted his
father in tango practices. After his father's death in 1991, Julio
was in charge of his father's classes in Salón Canning. He
is well known worldwide as well as in Argentina for his naturalness, quality
of movement and musicality. In 1993 together with Omar Viola he opened
the Parakultural. Corina has taught dance since she was 17.
She studied theater for five years with the directors Agustín Alezzo
and Augusto Fernández. She graduated as scenographer from
the Art School of the Salvador University. She has applied all this
knowledge to tango by developing an approach where the essence of tango
essence and its structural analysis are joined together. Her classes
consist of making, creating and learning tango movements based on the equality
of the woman and man in the dance.
<p><i class="rate not"></i><a NAME="Balmaceda/Rosa_tango"></a>Julio
Balmaceda and Corina de las Rosa — <i>Tango Basics and Secrets</i>
(DVD only)
<br>The first DVD, in what is planned as a series, covers a variety of
techniques, movements and basic step patterns in Argentine tango.
Julio and Corina teach the use of contra-body motion, the embrace, the
eight-count basic, crossed basic, a walking sequence, forward ochos, backward
ochos and some turns. In keeping with their teaching philosophy,
Julio and Corina emphasize the fundamentals of individual movements as
well as the techniques and qualities necessary to dance in a salon.
The DVD opens and closes with exhibition dances. Julio and Corina
frequently travel with copies of the 70 minute DVD to sell.
For more information, see <a href="http://julioycorina.com.ar/" target="new">Julio
and Corina's webpage</a>.
<p><i class="rate not"></i><a NAME="Balmaceda/Rosa_giros"></a>Julio
Balmaceda and Corina de las Rosa — <i>Giros </i> (DVD only)
<br>The second DVD, in what is planned as an expanding series, covers turns
in Argentine tango. In keeping with their teaching philosophy, Julio
and Corina emphasize the fundamentals of individual movements as well as
the technique and qualities necessary to dance in a salon. Julio
and Corina frequently travel with copies of the DVD to sell.
For more information, see <a href="http://julioycorina.com.ar/" target="new">Julio
and Corina's webpage</a>.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Bottomer"></a><b>Paul and Elaine Bottomer</b> seem admirable
in their willingness to swim upstream against the British ballroom dance
establishment and abandon the strictures of ballroom tango for <i>Tango
Argentino</i>, where the parameters of acceptability are socially defined,
and no single technique reigns. Having danced in a number of competitions
sponsored by the International Dance Organization (Switzerland), Paul and
Elaine Bottomer claim to be European and world champions of Tango Argentino,
but the graceless and inauthentic dance technique demonstrated on their
one available video suggests very weak competition. Certainly authenticity
was not required to win the competitions.
<p><i class="rate pass"></i><a NAME="Bottomer_tango"></a>Paul
and Elaine Bottomer — <i>Tango Argentino</i>
<br><a href="#sansour">Emile Sansour</a> once suggested that British Tango
compares to the Argentine Tango about the same way that British beef compares
to Argentine beef. In this video, British couple Paul and Elaine
Bottomer do nothing to dispel the notion that the British Tango scene could
be in the grip of mad-cow disease. In the book that accompanies this
video, Paul Bottomer writes, "There is now an opportunity for the Dancing
Profession to guarantee the integrity and character of the real Tango with
its nostalgia and mystery, its drama and passion, the Tango Argentino."
Unfortunately neither the video, nor the accompanying book and CD have
captured authentic Argentine Tango. The video and the book offer
instruction that combines ballroom and fantasia elements with salon-style
Argentine Tango. Students with a sufficient knowledge of Tango to
recognize the differences will find little to learn in this mercifully
short video. The music on the CD lacks the cry of a bandoneon and
is not particularly suitable for dancing. Available from <a href="http://bdsweb.ballroom.com/index.htm" target="new">Bill
Rowe’s Ballroom Dance Supply</a>.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Castro"></a><b>Mauricio Castro</b> is the founder of Tango
Discovery and teacher of Argentine Tango. He created and developed
a personal style of dancing and system of teaching tango in Buenos Aires
and, through Tango Discovery, has taken it to the rest of the world.
<p><i class="rate not"></i><a NAME="Castro_tango"></a>Mauricio
Castro — <i>Tango Dance Training</i> (Three DVDs only)
<br>Each DVD in this series is more than an hour in duration and presents
elements of the Tango Discovery system including tango awareness, structure,
improvisation, step sequences as an application of structure, deleted scenes
and extras. Available from
<a href="http://www.tangodiscovery.com/" target="new">Tango
Discovery</a>.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Copello/Monti"></a><b>Carlos Copello and Alicia Monti</b> are
elegant, expressive and personable dancers who are quite at home in front
of the camera. They appeared in both <i>Tango: The Obsession</i>
and the <i>Tango Lesson</i>. They were also featured in one of the
many productions of <i>Forever Tango</i>.
<p><i class="rate star5"></i><a NAME="Copello/Monti_tango"></a>Carlos
Copello and Alicia Monti — <i>How to Tango</i> (4 tape set)
<br>In this very well-produced set of videos, Carlos and Alicia offer detailed
instruction rather than the extensive coverage of steps that characterize
most instructional videos. The instruction starts with the basic
(with and without an initial back step) and progresses through 12 figures
in the first two videos. The third and fourth videos together offer
seven sophisticated combinations. Instruction covers the details
of each figure and pattern including lead and follow. Carlos and
Alicia also explain and demonstrate improvisation, but offer no direct
instruction in improvisational skills. Some viewers may be disappointed
by the slow pace of instruction and with the limited number of figures
that are covered in each video. All would be advised to ignore Carlos'
instruction to lead with the right hand. Fortunately, he ignores
his own instruction. Adam Boucher (director of <i>Tango: The Obsession</i>)
directed the four-camera production. Each tape is just under 60 minutes
long. Available either in Spanish or dubbed English. A vendor is
uncertain. The videos may be available through
<a href="http://www.carloscopello.com/tango-escuela1.htm" target="new">Carlos
Copello's website</a>.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Copes"></a><b>Juan Carlos Copes</b> is widely regarded as one
of the great masters tango fantasia in the latter half of the 20th century.
He had a long partnership with Maria Nieves dancing in shows from the 1950s
through the 1980s, including the show <i>Tango Argentino</i> which is widely
credited for reviving popular interest in tango as a dance form.
Copes was recently acclaimed as the dancer of the century by the City of
Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires Athenaeum. He also was honored at the
American Film Choreography Awards for his choreography in the Carlos Saura
movie, <i>Tango</i>. His daughter Johana is an excellent tango dancer
in her own right and appeared in the movie, <i>Tango</i>.
<p><i class="rate star3_5"></i><a NAME="Copes_tango"></a>Juan
Carlos Copes (with Johana Copes) — <i>Tango and Milonga</i> (video tape
or DVD)
<br>In this 45 minute video, maestro Copes is assisted by his daughter
Johana in teaching and demonstrating essential elements of his tango and
milonga style. Both Copes and his daughter have a very strong presence
on the video, and the way they hold themselves and move with clarity and
grace is impressive and instructive. The well-produced video opens
with a demonstration tango and then covers ten steps and figures in a little
less than half an hour. Instruction in tango starts with the basics
(including two salidas with the back step) and progresses to an intermediate
combination. Those of who taken workshops from Copes in the past
will recognize most of the steps. For some of the tango steps, Copes
and his daughter demonstrate the steps individually before demonstrating
them in an embrace. In doing so, they highlight the quality of balance
and movement that is required. Voice over explains all the tango
movements, but the lead, follow and movement technique are not covered
in any detail. After the tango segments, Copes and his daughter dance
a milonga and then take less than 15 minutes to cover ten useful intermediate
steps and figures in milonga. Voice over names the milonga step or
figure, and Copes and his daughter are shown demonstrating it several times
from a variety of angles. The milonga segments are not instruction,
but they are instructive. The rating is a composite of four stars
for the tango segments and three stars for the milonga segments.
Those who are capable of learning simply by watching may want to add a
star to the milonga rating and a half star to the overall rating.
The videos are available in Spanish and English in both PAL and NTSC format.
A DVD in NTSC format that includes extensive footage of Copes' performances
along with the instructional material is also available under the title
<i>Copes Tango Copes</i>. Possibly available from Zival's
<a href="http://www.tangostore.com/" target="new">TangoStore</a> in Buenos Aires,
<a href="http://www.tangocd.com/" target="new">TangoCD.com</a> in Niagra Falls,
New York, <a href="http://www.danzaymovimiento.com/" target="new">Danza y Movimiento</a>
in Hamburg, Germany or <a href="http://www.TangoDirect.com/" target="new">TangoDirect.com</a>
in Buenos Aires.
<a href="#top" class="bando goldb"></a>
<p><a NAME="Cote"></a><b>Christy Coté</b> began her career as a
ballroom and Latin dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studios, and
she has danced, choreographed and taught professionally for more than 20
years. Since 1998, she has danced and taught Argentine Tango becoming
one of San Francisco's most well-known dancers and teachers. Her
name appears on the roster of several annual Argentine Tango events such
as the Portland Tangofest, the Tango at Sea Cruise and the Las Vegas Tango
Weekend for which she is also a co-producer. <b>George Garcia</b>
has danced and taught in Hawaii for more than 20 years, covering ballroom,
latin and swing. In 1997, George attended the first Argentine tango
workshop in in Hawaii—taught by Fabian Salas and Michele Baidon—and it
instantly changed his life. Tango became his obsession, and he set
about developing Argentine tango in Hawaii.
<p><a NAME="Cote_tango"></a>Christy Coté and George Garcia — Argentine
Tango, Milonga and Vals (20 DVDs)
<p>Dance Vision has produced a series of 20 videos (available on DVD or
video tape) by Christy Coté and George Garcia covering the DVIDA
Bronze, Silver and Gold Argentine tango syllabuses, follower's technique,
leader's technique, milonguero-style Argentine tango, milonga, vals, tango
fantasia, improvisation, volcadas, colgadas, ganchos and enganches, boleos,
and sacadas. All 20 of these DVDs and videos are available from
<a href="http://www.dancevision.com/" target="new">DanceVision.com</a>.
For more information, contact
<a href="http://www.dancevision.com/" target="new">DanceVision.com</a>.
<p><i class="rate star4"></i><a NAME="Cote_salon"></a>Christy
Coté and George Garcia — DVIDA Bronze, Silver and Gold Argentine
Tango Syllabuses (3 DVDs)
<br>In this series of videos, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer
comprehensive instruction in salon-style Argentine tango starting from
the most basic figures and continuing through advanced figures and patterns.
The videos support a comprehensive syllabus for learning Argentine tango,
but stand independently of the certification that could be obtained through
the syllabus. Although Christy and George are careful to explain
that Argentine tango is an improvisational dance, the instruction emphasizes
learning tango through the mastery of figures rather than improvisational
techniques. The instruction is clear and comprehensive, but
production values are average and the videos are not entertaining to watch,
as Christy and George move slowly and explain each movement in what some
will consider excrutiating detail. Many viewers will be disappointed
that these videos only include exhibition snippets based on the taught
elements and no full demonstration dances. Available from
<a href="http://www.dancevision.com/" target="new">DanceVision.com</a>.
<p><i class="rate star5"></i><a NAME="Cote_follower"></a>Christy
Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Tango Follower's Technique (DVD)
<br>In this nearly two-hour video, Christy Coté is assisted by George
Garcia in teaching follower's technique for the basic movements of Argentine
tango. Christy's instruction is animated, clear and comprehensive.
She covers follower's technique in embrace, walking, cuzada, forward and
backward ochos, molinetes (giros), boleos, paradas, blocks, sandwiches,
pasadas, barridas, ganchos, enganches, sacadas, points, planeos, calecita,
carpa, change of direction in turns, volcada, colgada, surprising moves
and embellishments with some overlap with technique taught on the <a href="#Cote_salon">DVIDA
Syllabuses</a>. Mastery of the skills taught on this excellent video
would give any beginning to intermediate follower a solid foundation for
dancing Argentine tango. Many viewers will be disappointed that the
video lacks demonstration dances. Available from
<a href="http://www.dancevision.com/" target="new">DanceVision.com</a>.
<p><i class="rate star2_5"></i><a NAME="Cote_leader"></a>Christy
Coté and George Garcia — Argentine Tango Leader's Technique (DVD)
<br>In this nearly two-hour video, George Garcia is assisted by Christy
Coté in teaching elements of leader's technique for Argentine tango.
Covering embrace, walking, cuzada, forward and backward ochos, molinetes
(giros), boleos, paradas, blocks, sandwiches, barridas, ganchos, enganches,
sacadas, points, planeos, calecita, carpa, change of direction in turns,
volcada, colgada and and embellishments, George's instruction consists
of working through the same elements of dance covered in <a href="#Cote_follower">Argentine
Tango Follower's Technique</a> and offering a variety of hints about leader's
steps and leading. A subtle and smooth leader, George takes a slow
pace in teaching with extensive demonstration that sometimes just consists
of teaching the step pattern. George fails to provide an overall
view of what is required of the leader, but he gives lengthy and detailed
explanations of movement. At times these explanations are convoluted
and unfocused. At other times, George may provide the very insight
necessary for a leader to dance Argentine tango well. George closes
the video with a few useful but rambling explanations of milonga etiquette
in Buenos Aires. Many viewers will be disappointed that the video
lacks a demonstration dance. Available from
<a href="http://www.dancevision.com/" target="new">DanceVision.com</a>.
<p><i class="rate star5"></i><a NAME="Cote_improvisation"></a>Christy
Coté and George Garcia — The Art of Improvisation (DVD)
<br>Argentine tango is an improvisational dance built on an underlying
structure. In this oustanding video, Christy Coté and George
Garcia teach the underlying structure of Argentine tango and the basics
of improvisation utilizing that structure. The first 75 minutes of
instruction is at the beginning level. Instruction starts with six
elements of the woman's movements—walks, cruzada, forward ochos, backward
ochos, turns and boleos. After teaching these elements, Christy and
George work with tips to improve skills, such as changing weight, collecting
feet, pivot, pause, double-time elements, and commonalities in the elements.
After teaching the first layer, Christy and George demonstrate the difference
between the parallel and crossed systems, how each element is led, and
how the leader's footwork complements the follower's. The final 35
minutes covers more advanced elements including paradas, frenos, mordidas,
barridas, ganchos, enchanche, sacadas, planeos, calecita, volcadas and
colgadas. These numerous elements are covered relatively quickly,
and the emphasis is placed on showing how these elements relate to the
six basic elements of tango. Overall, the teaching is clear and comprehensive.
This outstanding video would be great for a beginner, intermediate or anyone
who wants to improve their improvisational skills by developing an understanding
of the underlying structure of tango. Available from
<a href="http://www.dancevision.com/" target="new">DanceVision.com</a>.
<p><i class="rate star4_5"></i><a NAME="Cote_milonguero"></a>Christy
Coté and George Garcia — Milonguero-Style Argentine Tango (2 DVDs)
<br>In this two-video series, Christy Coté and George Garcia offer
comprehensive instruction in milonguero-style Argentine tango, starting
from the embrace and walk and continuing through the most basic elements
and some advanced patterns. Once mastered, all of the material is
likely to prove useful for dancing in crowded venues. The first video
covers the embrace, basics of walking, ocho cortado, back ochos, basic
left turns, sacada from cross system basic, right turn, molinete (giro)
left, molinete (giro) right, boleo and spiral cross, and progressive left
turn. The second video covers, running step, point and pivot, barrida,
enganches, outside partner left, carpa, turns, volcada and colgadas.
Although Christy and George assume some basic familiarity with Argentine