Back in the 1800s, Tango was about meeting someone you were going to marry. A 13-year-old would be considered an ‘adult’, and would begin learning to both lead and follow from older men. After 3 years of training in men-only practicas, he would be deemed ready to go to a ‘milonga’ (tango salon) and would try his luck at meeting a woman.

Tango Dance

Women were very scarce in Argentina at the time. This meant that women were the only real judges of a man’s ability as a dancer. If a young man danced poorly or was inconsiderate, he would have no chance of ever finding a wife (as she would inevitably tell all her friends about him). Therefore, it didn’t matter how good a dancer he was– all that mattered was whether his partner found his dancing enjoyable.

Zouk Instructors Junyan and Danielle of  Mazouka have thought deeply about what they want  in a dance partner.  Below is how they answer the question “What would I want in my dream dance partner” ?

If I had my dream Follow she (or he) would:

  • Smile and dance with most people who ask!
  • Let leads know if they are too aggressive or rude
  • Be balanced and self-reliant
  • Move confidently rather than tentatively
  • Develop nice styling and technique
  • Play with the music without disrupting the lead
  • Wait for my lead before executing a movement
  • Stay on her own line of dance as much as possible
  • Provide a supple and flexible connection
  • Look at me when she dances with me
  • Predict musical transitions and prepares for them
  • Be adaptable to differences in our dance styles
  • Dance with me another song if she enjoyed it
  • Thank me for the dance when we’re done!

If I had my dream Lead he (or she) would:

  • Escort me onto and off of the dance floor
  • Begin by connecting to me with easy moves
  • Adapt to my ability as a dancer
  • Listen to what I need energetically, sometimes I want to rock out and sometimes I want to relax
  • Play with the music and make me feel it
  • Develop his own awesome style and patterns
  • Show me off
  • Execute figures safely and comfortably
  • Move powerfully but not aggressively
  • Lead with his body, not his arms
  • Use different body parts to lead movements
  • Look at me when he dances with me
  • Keep his own space on the dance floor
  • Politely thank me for the dance after we’re done
  • Ask me about my life outside of dance!

We think this is such a great list that we asked them if we can publish it here.

What would you like in your dream dance partner?  Let is know!

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