Performing Gender: Part Three

Performing Gender in Milongas of Buenos Aires: Part Three
Video conference at 'Body, Movement and Dance in Global Perspective' Hong Kong
24-26 July, 2008
more info at: www.adagioconbrio.co.uk

Argentine Tango, which has been called the world's most passionate dance, is performed in halls called Milongas. In this paper I look at the Tango dancers in several Milongas as a micro-society, in which broader, socially accepted gendered behaviour is repeated and seldom, if ever, contested. The performance of gender roles in Buenos Aires, ritualized with miradas, cabeceo, piropos and asados, empowers stereotypes of masculinity and femininity (the basis of Tango), with its "macho" men and their mistresses. The Milonga codes and Tango dancing provides a context where such stereotypes can be performed.
The focus of my investigation was to observe gendered behaviour in dancing, concentrating on the Argentinean Tango because the categorization of sexuality and gender in this dance form is particularly well defined. In this presentation, I will make some observations about social recreational activities that relate to food and courtship in Buenos Aires and investigate some parallels between the rules of Tango dancing and social roles in Buenos Aires.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Performing
• Gender
• Adriana
• Pegorer
• Tango
• Milongas
• Hong
• Kong
• 'Body
• Movement
• and
• Dance
• in
• Global
• Perspective'

[adagioconbrio]

Narcotete, this is independent research linked to my artistic practice, prompted by a 5 weeks course at glosas.org

I would encourage you to write down your experiences and call it whatever you like!

[7575papa]

Despite the trials and tribulations of stereotypic  situations, within the embrace, Tango transcends all.

Hmm food for thought, interesting and thought provoking. No I'm not being condescending ;)

[adagioconbrio]

Thank you! i resolved to end on a positive note! Marta E. Savigliano concluded in her research that the real femme fatales of the milongas are men! (Harvard Conference -October 2007) Yes, tango is sexy, passionate, etc but the dynamics within it are stale and men-centered: not only how can we create a 'dialogue', but how do we give women a 'voice' first? Sometimes, when i dance (contact) improvisation, i am sure that dialogue can exist.

[nacotete]

what makes it 'research'? because someone is giving her class credit for it? or a degree? If I write my opinions of my experience and what I have read, is it also 'research'?

[Elena0210]

Interesting research.

[adancershear1]

Thank You ~ yes ~ I am dancing!!