Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
Contact: Lenore Morrisson, 503-338-2473
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2006

CCC to Host Tango Workshop


Polly McBride

“ Now here we have a dance in which there is a close embrace, cheek to cheek, chests together, the legs invading each other's space, in a long conversation of love and passion, with amagues, hooks, flirtatious looks and caresses ...the writing of a prologue to a love story that was soon to follow.”
- O. Sergio Suppa

Tango instructor Polly McBride is returning by request to host a second Tango workshop at Clatsop Community College from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. Saturday, August 19. Cost for the workshop is $20 per person and will be held at the Patriot Hall Gymnasium at CCC’s Astoria campus. Hosted by CCC’s Arts and Ideas, the workshop will be an experience in culture and sensuality.

Tango originated in Buenos Aires around 1880, at a time when the slightest amount of contact—a couple dancing in front of each other the right arm of the man touching the back of the lady—was considered scandalous. Tango evolved from the newly introduced “Viennese Waltz,” a form of dance involving a close hold between the couple and was slowly gaining social acceptability in Europe.
Originally practiced in brothels, bars and gambling houses of Buenos Aires, the Tango, with its close embraces and flirtatious moves, was considered far too obscene for decent families and women of high reputation. The tango spread to the boarding houses of poor immigrants, but slowly because the immigrants were decent people who, too, considered the music and dance of the tango sinful. It took even longer for the tango to spread to the mid- to upper class families

Musician Saborido sold about one hundred thousand samples of his tango “Yo soy la morocha” (I am the brunette) in the few first months of 1906. One could deduce that tango was executed fairly frequently, including by family girls, who inserted its beats between the Blue Danube vals and Fur Elise. The singer Flora Rodriguez took 'La Morocha' to recordings a little later. To cylinder first, then disk and also to perforated paper rolls for 'pianolas' (pianos that play by themselves, by activating two pedals). The lyrics of 'La morocha' are innocent enough to be readily accepted. This way, tango slowly spread from the periphery to the interior of the Argentinean home.

The tango then made its pilgrimage to Europe, as Argentina quickly developed into one of the ten richest nations in the world. Wealthy Argentines began traveling to European countries, bringing their scandalous dance with them, where it quickly became the craze of the times. From Paris, tango rapidly spread to London, Rome, Berlin, and finally New York.

North Coast residents now have the opportunity to experience this sensual dance for themselves. The teaching style of workshop instructor Polly McBride is based on developing the skills and details of a stable axis, comfortable frame and connection with ones partner and the music.
A founding member of the Portland Tango Community, she is Director and teacher at Paradise Place Studio of Arts and Dance. She is the author of several books, including “"All Things Argentine Tango.” Her dance has been influenced by Nora Dinselbacher, Graciela Gonzales, Susana Miller, Fabian Salas and many others.

McBride came to CCC last March to teach a Tango workshop in conjunction with the Lower Columbia Hispanic Council as part of the first annual Arte Latino Experience event funded by a grant from the Clatsop Cultural Coalition.

For more information please contact Lenore Morrisson at (503) 338-2473.
ATTACHED PHOTO: Tango Instructor Polly McBride