Michael Wright, Tango Dance Routine, April 2001 Showcase 4/5/01
Tango “Guapita” (The Best V) stop at 2:55
Do not dance a tango like a foxtrot or you’re screwed.
ALL forward steps are heel leads.
Danger is rushing and going too fast.
Entrance (6 measures)
Setup before music:
1. Lunge on right, look to her right ear
2. Raise right arm (keep weight on right leg), 4 counts (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4)
3. Side Together Side Together, 4 counts (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4)
4. Go side on 1Q throw her out, hold on 2Q and 3Q, move to right on 4Q
5. Pivot turn Q Q S, right foot is free
6. Step sideways (cross legs, not together like in a chasse’), 4 counts (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4)
7. Chasse’, Side Together Side (Q Q S), end with weight on right but some distance, not closed position.
--------------------------- 12 counts ---------------------------
Contra Rocks with her UAT spin
Note: these are done in a straight line, CBM to shape to lady.
(right side fwd) (left side fwd)
Fwd Back Diagonal Back — (this is back toward the side) Right body side fwd on quicks,
Q Q S Left body side fwd on slows
Back (slip pivot) Fwd Diagonal Fwd
Q Q S
Fwd Back Diagonal Back
Q Q S
Back Side Close This is a basic box, nothing more.
Q Q S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Checks in Contra Open (5B)
Fwd Side Back (open box)
Q Q S
Side Close Side (cha-cha-cha) to his right, she UAT to left
Q Q S
Lunge Break (he lowers on right leg — points left leg)
Q Q
Quarter turn to right — lunge with left foot
S
Right Fwd* Side Close * promenade position
Q Q S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Triple Open Fan
Rock Step Back (she steps open position fans)
Q, Q S
Forward
S
Back
S
Forward
S
Left Turning Rock
Q, Q
Tango Close (and end side-by-side)
Q, Q, S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Four Fans in Open (pat-a-cake)
S S S S
One Fan Walk Tango Close (face LOD)
S S Q, Q, S
End in Shadow Position
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Full Open Box, Four Parts
Fwd Side Back (quarter turn)
Q Q S
Fwd Side Back (quarter turn, end facing back LOD)
Q Q S
Left Rocks, half turn (end facing LOD)
Q, Q, Q, Q
Tango Close
Q, Q, S
End facing LOD, change hands right-to-right
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Change of Places (begin LOD), 3B
Hold right hand
Back rock Side (change places but no change in hands)
Q*, Q S (end with weight on left) *left foot back
Right Back Semi-Fan Left Back Semi-Fan
(back) (point) (back) (point)
Slow-and Slow-and
Back Side* Close *side is quarter turn, she spins
Q Q S
Progressive Link, keep steps very small:
Fwd Side
Q Q
Get ready to do two walks
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Reverse Turn to Gauchos (leg hook)
Lead with the hip
Two Walks Fwd Side Back
S S Q Q S
Back Side Diag Fwd, open position her hook (need hip contact to lead)
Q Q S (go forward and stop, don’t continue)
Important Note: Outside Partner means only the feet go outside, not the rest of leg. Keep thigh contact (man’s right thigh on lady’s right thigh, don’t let the thigh pass).
Back on left, his hook
S
Fwd, her hook
S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Cork Screw
Back Cross right in front of left
1Q 2Q
Left Twist to his left (end back LOD)
3Q 4Q
More on Left Twist:
Sway left to use the right side to lead. Raise and forward right elbow. This is a weight change. At first, most of weight is on heel then eventually on ball of foot
Grapevine to his right
Back Side Fwd Side together Same foot lunge to right*
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q 1/2 fast S
*Sway all the way to right and look at her.
Do not let right shoulder turn back.
Throw her to his left in front of him, no weight change
1Q DO NOT MOVE
Left Fwd Pivot Left Back Side Close Turn the whole body left and end looking LOD
2Q 3Q 4Q S but do not sway.
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Chasse’
Side Close Side Close (she UAT right)
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q
Side Close Side Close (he UAT left)
1Q 2Q 3Q 4Q
--------------------------- 8 counts ---------------------------
Oversway
Left to promenade sway left Sway right, lower left knee
S (weight on left) S (weight still on left)
Don’t go down on left sway
Side with right foot and brush tap
S and S (end with weight on right)
--------------------------- 8 counts ---------------------------
Double Cruz
Look towards LOD while in promenade
Promenade P. Walk Side Side Rounde (feet together and go around with left foot)*
S Q Q S *STAY DOWN
keep these Quicks slow
Three steps back with ladies fan
Q Q S
Forward tap Tango Close
S Q, Q, S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
El Abanico (fan)
(reverse turn) Note: Don’t turn when going side. Think of covering as much distance as possible.
Fwd Side Back Back Side (stop! on left foot)
Q Q S Q Q
Think of Paso Doble, move her side-to-side on the slows.
She fans twice Keep frame solid, don’t let it go weak. Still need to make it look like leading her.
S (fan left) S (fan right)
Bring right foot together (slightly behind left) Do not pass foot!
S (end with weight on right)
Chasse’ Arrogance, keep elbows straight and firm
Q, Q and S (fwd — cha — cha — cha, bring feet together on second cha). Do not promenade.
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Check and Corte’
Caution: Do not turn or promenade until the step-tap (second slow)
Fwd* Side* (closed position) Corte’ outside partner Step-tap, meet partner
Q Q S (raise right side) S and
*very small steps
Promenade position 2 walks Side in front of her Sit-break, end against LOD
Q Q S S
Fwd lock (right behind) Unwind, end LOD
Q Q Q Q
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Back Fan
Back Rock Back Turn Right Back Rock Back Turn Left
Q Q S and Q Q S and
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 each set is four distinct moves.
Back Rock Back Turn Right Back Side Close (send lady to left, end pointing left foot to left side)
Q Q S and Q Q S
1 2 3 4 each set is four distinct moves.
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Criss Cross Pivots
Note: Always keep free arm raised high, very high
Left Pivot Back Left Side Lunge
Q Q S
Right Pivot Back Right Side Lunge
Q Q S
Fwd fan walk Tango close (end shadow position)
S S Q, Q, S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Shadow Walks
Two walks Rock step Walk Rock step Walk Throw her out
S S Q, Q S Q, Q S Q, Q, S
--------------------------- 16 counts ---------------------------
Roll in to her right side
Q Q S
Lady’s Medio (1/2) Corte’
Back (very small) Fwd (larger) Fwd Lunge Back
Q Q, S S
Lady’s Tango Close
Q, Q, S (end with right foot free)
He pivots to his right
Fwd Back Side
Q Q S
Four walks forward (with Lady’s UAT), start with left foot, end on right foot
Lunge
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 S (don’t take an extra step)
Side Together
Q, Q (end with left free)
Back Pass
Promenade Pivots
Walk 1/2 turn 1/2 turn Hold, don’t drop right elbow
S Q Q S (keep weight on right foot)
Keep holding as she goes around, DON’T MOVE
Q, Q
Fwd fan Left Side Lunge (her twist)
S S (don’t turn away)
Rock Corte’ Turn on left foot to left Don’t turn away until second slow
Q, Q S* S
* Caution: Don’t make it look like you will turn on Corte’, keep foot and body in same direction.
Turn 180 on second slow
Forward tap
Q, Q
Fwd rock Left lunge away from lady
Q, Q S
Get ready for drop, don’t move as she spins in behind, place left hand out behind back.
Q, Q S
Lady goes behind, Q, Q, S; Drop, Q, Q, S; Pick up lady, Q, Q, S
“Lunge forward” to right with weight on right foot, grab her arm with left hand.
S
Ending
1. Turn 180.
2. Walk three steps (beginning with left).
3. Bring right foot somewhat behind left like a fifth position.
4. Point left foot forward, pose for judges
5. Three steps backward.
6. Turn inside and offer arm to lady
7. Walk of floor
Don’t bother to pose for the audience, they ain’t the ones critiquing the dance.
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