Tango: Sex and Rhythm of the City

(Paperback)

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Description

The explosion of participation in dance classes in recent years has led to the re-emergence of popular partner dancing, with Latin American styles at the forefront. Chief among these styles is the most sensual and dramatic of dances: the tango. Although the tango is danced and adored worldwide, in the English-speaking world there is very little understanding of tango's evolution, or the stories told through its lyrics. Tango sets the history and music, the key figures and, of course, the dance in its place and time, explores how it developed, and describes the continuing enthusiasm with which each generation has rediscovered it.

Reviews

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of 2014 * Award *
An essential read for tango lovers . . . excellent at big themes and small details, the personal and the political. * Dance Today *
Personal accounts, tango lyrics and delightful trivia engagingly support the more historical sections of the writing. At times the language used by the authors seems veiled in mystery and innuendo, comparing tangos movements to a knife fight and metaphorizing it as a theatre of life without its colourful cast of characters: the pimp, the prostitute, the confidence trickster. But soon enough González and Yanes provide the historical markers and facts to back it all up.The book delivers a beautifully depicted and well-informed history, chronicling the diverse characters and ingredients that have formed tango then and now. Suitable for the uninitiated and the tango aficionado alike. * Dance International *
This interesting, challenging, well-written, and well-documented study examines the origins and development of the tango from diverse approaches . . . The tango becomes a symbolic expression of the new Argentina, which became the melting pot of different peoples . . . Gonzalez and Yanes offer significant information about the seductive tango crossing social class line from dark, dockside streets to dance halls . . . an excellent resource for those interested in the historical, anthropological, sociological and psychological aspects of the tango. Highly recommended. * Choice *
The authors follow the dance through its increased sophistication with the incorporation of the accordion, its subsequent fashionability in Paris, London and New York and its connection with the political turbulence of 20th-century Argentina. Highly informative, and peppered with lyrics to illustrate their points. * The Herald (Glasgow) *
I first picked up my copy of Tango hoping that I would not find yet another dry, seemingly uninspired academic history of one of my favorite art forms. What I found was a book that inspired me to hit the dance floor as much as it did to hit the library in order to delve deeper into tangos complex history. This is a book that will provide the budding fan of tango with all of the necessary background information and inspiration to embark on a love affair with the magnificent dance. * PopMatters.com *
a book that re-establishes the root of tango in the lives of the oppressed fighting back and creating this fascinating dance. * Socialist Review *
Tango: Sex and the Rhythm of the City combines general events in Argentinas history with the origins of tango, illustrated by personal vignettes, lyrics and picturesque narratives by historical actors. It serves as a good introduction to the history of tango, not pretending to be overly academic and surely enjoyable to read . . . it offers a decent picture of the social environment of tango in its origins and development . . . an entertaining and informative book . . . The authors offer helpful views of the social aspects that surrounded tango and allow the reader to identify with the men and women who have played, sung and danced tango for more than a hundred years. * Bulletin of Latin American Research *

Author Bio

Mike Gonzalez is Emeritus Professor of Latin American Studies at Glasgow University and has written and lectured widely on Latin American culture and politics.

Marianella Yanes is a Venezuelan writer, journalist and playwright. She wrote soap operas for a number of Latin American television channels and worked in theatre for many years.