Dancing with the Stars
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MONDAY MAR 19 8|7c

About the Dances

Don't know your Tango from your Mambo? Your Samba from your Rumba? Read our quick tips on each dance to help you out!

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The Argentine Tango

FAST FACTS:

  • The Argentine Tango is a social dance and musical genre that originated in Buenos Aries, Argentina and moved to Uruguay, and later to the rest of the world.
  • There were many thousands of immigrants in the late 1800's/early 1900's lured to Argentina with the promise of jobs in the cattle and lumber industries. These included Italian, Portuguese, Slavic, and Western European peoples, mixed with populations of black slaves, South American indigenous people, Spanish people from the early conquest, and people from other South American and Caribbean countries who all brought with them their cultural history, music, and dance. The resulting melting pot created what we know today as Argentine Tango.


DISTINCTIVE MOVES:

  • The Argentine Tango is danced in an embrace that can vary from very open, in which leader and follower connect at arms length, to very closed, in which the connection is chest-to-chest, or anywhere between.
  • The dance relies heavily on improvisation. There is no "basic step."
  • The follower will usually be led to alternate feet. The leader may freely step with his left foot when the follower steps with her left foot too.
     

 In the photo:  CHERYL BURKE, GILLES MARINI

Comments (30)

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GBLady2011

5 months ago

I wish they would stick the type of music that is authentic to the dance....I love the Argentine Tango...can't they use the music that fits the dance?....Also, this show is suppose to be about the stars....Dancing with the STARS....so how come most of the line-up aren't?...........I hope DWTS is not hungry for publicity...I don't get this uneccessary controversy, it's not like they need it...........anywho........I will be front and center. Oh and how come we, the public, can't choose the songs for the dance and choose the "stars" who are to dance for our enjoyment.

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ccbene

8 months ago

I think this is still the hottest, most smoldering, most authentic-looking dance ever done on the show -- ever. Till Marini and Cheryl did this tango I'd never understoon what the big deal was, and I'd seen professional tango's. This time, boy! Did I ever 'get' it.

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3701Capt

10 months ago

The Argentine Tango is also to be a sexual, competitive confrontation, I think. A definite confrontation expressing their dance expertise as well as the sensual desire. With the melting pot of peoples, this confrontation was extremely expressive...almost like warring

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jayjunior87

11 months ago

This is by far my fav dance. Gilles' Argentine Tango is perfection. I love Mellisa too. DWTS should make sure that they use the original tango music for the dance to keep the essence of the dance. Lots of greta tango music out there. We the audiences don't mind if the producer reuse the music from past seasons as long as they use the traditional music.

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narrayakal

5 months ago

I agree, they should allow the dancers to use even reuse original Argentine Tango music to maintain the essence of the dance.

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3701Capt

10 months ago

I definitely agree. By all means keep the original tango music for this dance;otherwise, you are taking the true essence of the dance away.

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WheresdaMambo

1 year ago

One thing that's always bothered me is that the music doesn't always match the dance that's being done. If the dance is suppose to be a Rumba, then play a Rumba. I also agree that Cheryl is an excellent dancer.

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happybaby2009

1 year ago

I would like to know the music accompanying Derek and Jennifer during week 4 when they danced the tango. I know that it was acoustic week. Please forward name of the piano piece. Thanks.

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Pastruck

1 year ago

La cumparista is the name of the song. it's a classic tune when it comes to Tango

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diverphoto

1 year ago

This was a great Argentine Tango

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narrayakal

5 months ago

This is indeed the greatest Argentine Tango. I hope they will have him as a guest and dance with Cheryl that tango again.

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KMercado20

1 year ago

I agree with the music comments. It was like giving Boom Boom Pow to go along with a foxtrot. That takes away from the beauty of the dance and almost guarantees bad scores because Len won't like it.

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nevins911

1 year ago

Len Why can't the band play music that will give the stars some incentive to dance a romantic rumba or a dramatic paso doble. The band is good but the musice is impossible.

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azairat

1 year ago

Beautiful,Sexy,Graceful, and Immaculate!

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jameelee3

1 year ago

hey i loved cheryl tango but on the new season of dancing with the stars the results show i would really love to see they bring the sytycd tour top four dancers on dancing with the stars!!!!

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JAPXDALQ

1 year ago

I would love to see you add one of the two polkas - either Slovenian or Polish. Does anyone even know how?

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SpanishIrish

1 year ago

The two left feet was in reference to the Argentine Tango. Cheryl Burke is absolutely fabulous! I loved her hair when it was short.

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SpanishIrish

1 year ago

Wow! Now I can dance with two left feet!

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bluecatfrog

1 year ago

I can't believe Bruno said Michael Bolton's dance was the worst in 11 seasons. The turkey has obviously forgotten Master P and his apathetic shuffle shuffle clump-clomp. At least Michael was trying, even if dancing doesn't appear to be his strong point. Perhaps Bruno doesn't have the experience necessary to judge dancing after all.

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ashworthof

1 year ago

This show is so exciting as I love music and dancing. ashworthof

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ashworthof

1 year ago

Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower are my favorites. This week should be better for them. ashworthof

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dkcauntie

1 year ago

I would love to know the names of the songs used during the performances! Maybe you could list them under the more feature!!!!!!

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mikkib57

1 year ago

Click on "Episode Guide" on the menu above, then scroll down, it lists each dance following the description of thie episode.

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4evadancing

1 year ago

Magnificent!!!!!!!!

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mspamela13

1 year ago

I think Gilles Marini is the sexiest contestant to do this dance.

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narrayakal

5 months ago

I felt bad when he lost.

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drded

1 year ago

Who picks the music and dance, anyway? We were just subjected to a foxtrot that was not only not a foxtrot, it was at a tempo that ensured they couldn't possibly do a creditable slowfox. Give us a break!

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rjmig

1 year ago

Why was no Latin music used for ANY of the Latin dances. It is comical to see the dancers dressed in stereotypical Latin costumes dancing to very non-Latin music. I get it; it's the same beat but what next toreadors dancing to Hairspray music? I'm beginning to think there is a bias against Latinos. And what's with the British pronunciations of Mambo and Samba? Len, you're in the USA. Pronounce these dances the way Americans pronounce them. After all, we're doing the voting.

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valbona83

1 year ago

I'm still shocked that Gille didn't win when through out the whole season he was perfect and scored the highest! Everything about him contributed so much to the dance floor , its not even funny! No offence but that little girl was no comperason to him. I kind of feel guilty b/c i didn't vote for the final ,being sure that he was gonna win and he lost for one vote! So , basically he's the winner!

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neclo2

1 year ago

I loved this show and still do...I just know that I will be turning the channel when its time for Kate Gosselin and Jake Pavelka to dance!! They aren't celebrities. If they are going to turn the show into a dance show for people who aren't celebrities they all should be non celebrities like those to ..but anybody would be a lot better pick then those to camera seeking people.

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soaplover465

2 years ago

I love this dance. It is has a lot of sexual tension in the moves. It is one of my favorite dances.

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js_2188

2 years ago

This is by far my favorite dance ever!!!

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mnewbern

2 years ago

I think it is unfair that the stars are judged so harshly by the judges when they perform the routines well that the professional dancers have for them. It is my opinion that the professional dancers should be held responsible for the choreography. There are really only two dancers that come up with good choreography for their partners.

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sieern

2 years ago

It may be the sexiest dance of all time, but the Wheeler orchestra does not know how to play a tango, samba or cha-cha. How come with all those great musicians. I won't even mention their attempt at a waltz.

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gardfwtx

1 year ago

All of the music is based on timing for the dances. Whether you like the song or not, it is arranged to the tempo of the dance. As for Isgregory, many dancers enjoy the contemporary music. There are a lot that are authentic Latin, and a lot of contemporary Latin tempos that are used in professional ballroom competition also. It's a matter of taste, and also a matter of seeing how well the pros can choreograph to the particular songs... along with teaching thier partners to dance. It's a lot to do in a short period of time. As for the Wheeler orchestra...they are superb. Their adaptations are spot on, with them and the singers often producing music that can rival the original.

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Meghen548

2 years ago

The sexiest dance of all time anywhere!!!

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chastityblack

2 years ago

The Sexiest dance Ever on DWTS!

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