Argentina: Dance
A semi-last-minute work opportunity has brought me to Minnesota for a brief moment in time, so as I write this I am watching the snow fall outside my window. Despite it being the end of March and officially spring, the white stuff refuses to go away. I honestly did not expect otherwise. Anyway, during my current time in the northern hemisphere, some visitors from the south coincidentally happened upon my doorstep. These visitors were none other than the Argentine folkloric dance group "Che Malambo," who performed here this past weekend. Seeing their show has served as inspiration for this post, which will describe and provide examples of a variety of traditional Argentine dances.
Argentine Tango
When one puts "dance" and "Argentina" in the same sentence, the genre that most often comes to mind is "tango." If you're like me and never miss an episode of Dancing With the Stars (this past week one of the judges started following me on Instagram, but I'm not here to toot my horn about that), you'll know that there is quite a difference between ballroom tango and the Argentine variety. The Argentine tango involves dramatic improvisation of lifts, kicks, and spins, requiring dancers to feel the rhythm and accentuate the music through their movements without adhering to a strict count, whereas ballroom tango follows a more structured 8-count pattern with combined slow and quick movements. This dance is most popular in the capital, Buenos Aires. The video below comes from President Barack Obama's visit to Argentina in 2016 when he stood up to the challenge and danced the tango like a champion.
Cuarteto
This would be the dance of choice in the province of Córdoba. It is a more upbeat, merengue-style dance that was created by Spanish and Italian immigrants in Argentina in the 1940s. Its name comes from the style of music which accompanies the dance, which is traditionally played by four-piece bands. The video below comes from Argentina's version of Dancing With the Stars, so the dancers have incorporated more tricks than your average cuarteto would have, but it gives you an idea of the rhythm and basic steps.
Folkloric Dances
Here's where we get back to the group "Che Malambo" that paid a visit to Minnesota this past weekend. Malambo is just one of Argentina's many folkloric dances; others include Chamamé, Cueca, Zamba, and Chacarera. Malambo originated on the pampas, or interior plains, of Argentina and a solo dance traditionally done by the gaucho (cowboy). It involves lots of zapateo, or tap dancing, boleadoras, or rope-and-ball throwing weapons, bombachas, or billowy gaucho pants, and rhythms that mimic horses galloping. Below are some highlights from "Che Malambo," whom I highly recommend watching live if you ever get the chance.
Argentine Tango
When one puts "dance" and "Argentina" in the same sentence, the genre that most often comes to mind is "tango." If you're like me and never miss an episode of Dancing With the Stars (this past week one of the judges started following me on Instagram, but I'm not here to toot my horn about that), you'll know that there is quite a difference between ballroom tango and the Argentine variety. The Argentine tango involves dramatic improvisation of lifts, kicks, and spins, requiring dancers to feel the rhythm and accentuate the music through their movements without adhering to a strict count, whereas ballroom tango follows a more structured 8-count pattern with combined slow and quick movements. This dance is most popular in the capital, Buenos Aires. The video below comes from President Barack Obama's visit to Argentina in 2016 when he stood up to the challenge and danced the tango like a champion.
Cuarteto
This would be the dance of choice in the province of Córdoba. It is a more upbeat, merengue-style dance that was created by Spanish and Italian immigrants in Argentina in the 1940s. Its name comes from the style of music which accompanies the dance, which is traditionally played by four-piece bands. The video below comes from Argentina's version of Dancing With the Stars, so the dancers have incorporated more tricks than your average cuarteto would have, but it gives you an idea of the rhythm and basic steps.
Cumbia
Cumbia is a style of dance which exists throughout Latin America, and many regional adaptations have formed sub-genres of cumbia. Within Argentina, for example, the following varieties can be found:
- Cumbia Villera - originated on the streets of the poor neighborhoods throughout Argentina and involves lyrics which represent the lower class
- Cumbia Santafesina - inspired by folkloric and tropical rhythms, danced in the province of Santa Fe
- Norteña - danced in the northern provinces of Argentina
I have yet to become an expert in all of the varieties of cumbia, so I have not linked videos here. If your interest has been sparked, feel free to do some investigating of your own.
Folkloric Dances
Here's where we get back to the group "Che Malambo" that paid a visit to Minnesota this past weekend. Malambo is just one of Argentina's many folkloric dances; others include Chamamé, Cueca, Zamba, and Chacarera. Malambo originated on the pampas, or interior plains, of Argentina and a solo dance traditionally done by the gaucho (cowboy). It involves lots of zapateo, or tap dancing, boleadoras, or rope-and-ball throwing weapons, bombachas, or billowy gaucho pants, and rhythms that mimic horses galloping. Below are some highlights from "Che Malambo," whom I highly recommend watching live if you ever get the chance.
I hope you have enjoyed my brief introduction to some of the many traditional and popular Argentine dances. I will perhaps delve further into the topic in a future post, if it so pleases the masses.
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