STREET TANGO PER IL NEPAL - PIAZZA DUOMO MILANO

WE PROCEED WITH TANGO DICTIONARY, EVERY DAY ONE LETTER - TODAY LETTER "C "

C – tango, dictionary of terms

Cabeceo invitation 

A non-verbal invitation to dance from man to woman - the man looks at the woman and indicates with a movement of his head that he would like to dance; if she accepts she will move towards him, if she refuses she will look away.

Cabeza head 

The head of the dancer.

Cadena chain 

A turning figure in which the man steps outside left or right in crossed feet and leading the lady in a change of direction to keep her in front of him as he turns.

Cadencia rhythm 

1. A series of forward-and-left series of steps executed by the lead to to change direction, usually to avoid collisions.
2. A subtle shift of weight to and fro at the start of a dance to synchronize on rhythm and ensure both dancers begin on the correct foot.

Caída fall 

Executed by the lead such that he steps backward and crosses his free leg in front of the supporting leg without a weight transfer, while the follower is led to the outside position to cross her free leg behind her supporting leg also without a weight transfer.

Calesita carousel, merry-go-round 

The lead ensures the follower is upright on her axis, and dances around her whilst she pivots on her supporting leg. The follower's free leg is generally held in the Cuatro position.

Cambio change 

The lead executes a cambio when he pivots both feet in the same direction (either clockwise or anticlockwise), usually as the follower performs a molinete. Often called Cambio de Frente (Change of Front).

 Caminada walk 

Series of steps that walk forward.

Caminado Valseado carried walk

A sequence of steps, as part of step 3 of the Eight Count Basic (see it), wherein the lead steps forward right, forward left and continues the the follower to the cross.

Caminar to walk Similar to a natural step, with the ball of the foot placed first instead of the heel; the body is in balance over the forward foot.

Candombe 

A drum based dance which originated from the descendants of black slaves in the Rio de la Plata region and still performed today.

Cangrejo crab 

A pattern of dance steps where the lead advances turned nearly sideways to the follower.

Canyengue 

An old-guard style of tango from the early 1900s, still danced today.

Carancanfun

Dance of tango with many interruptions or cortes.

Caricia caress 

Stroking with the leg or shoe part of the partner's body.

Carpa tent 

Same as Apilado 

Castigada seduction 

An embellishment in which the follower caresses her supporting leg with her free leg.

Chiche delicate ornament 

An embellishment in which small beats are executed by the free foot in time with the music.

Cintura waist 

The waist of the tango dancer.

Código code 

The code of behavior, such as cabeceo, in the milongas of Buenos Aires.

Colgada hanging 

Fast turns which takes the woman off her axis or plays with her axis.

Compadre honorable man

A responsible, macho and honorable working class man.

Compadrito punk

A street punk. Compadritos originally invented the tango.

Compás beat 

The musical beat to which tango is danced to.

Connection

A beautiful and sensual communication between lead and follower, established during a tango dance when everything fits just right: the music, the style, the rhythm, the ambience. In a milonga situation, all tango dancers strive for this.

Contrapaso contra step 

A step in which one foot is locked behind the other.

Corrida run 

A syncopated walk which will look like a run. The dancers take a series of short double-time steps so the feet appear to run while the bodies move at the same pace.

Corrida Garabito covered run 

A milonga step in which the couple alternately step between each other.  

Corte cut 

A sudden turn in direction, generally done by holding for several beats (or syncopating) - often in a back-and-forth action to double time.

Cortina curtain 

A musical interlude in between a tanda at a milonga.

Contrapaso backstep 

Cross System

A dance in which the man steps in the same way as the women (right foot to right, left to left).

Cruzada cross 

Executed when a step leads to the free foot being crossed in front of or in back of the supporting foot, almost always by the follower.

Cuadrado square 

Cuatro four 

An embellishment in which the follower flicks one of her lower legs backwards, keeping her knees together, creating a numeral 4 in profile.

Cucharita spoon 

The lifting of the follower's foot with a gentle scooping motion. Usually led in forward ochos to create a flicking motion of the follower's leg.

Cuerpo body 

The body of the tango dancer.

Cunita crib 

The rocking back and forth that can be done in order to mark time or change direction.