Unconventional and full of artistic expression is how students at last night’s Argentine tango class described the dance and the instructors.
Tango OSU hosts exciting Argentine tango classes on the campus every week. Last night’s class was held in the Agricultural Administration auditorium.
The music has a fast tempo, hard beats and smooth vocals. The lead instructor, Francesco Guerra and his wife Pam Britton moved gracefully across the floor as they demonstrated the moves that their students copied. The instructors took the time to demonstrate each move with precision.
“The tango takes some dedication,” Britton said, “Beginners start with beginning steps.”
Many of the 20 to 30 students in the tango classes are OSU students and faculty.
“We get mostly graduate students, but it would be nice to have some undergraduates,” Britton said. “They have an energy.”
Britton said that Argentine tango is an art form.
“Argentine tango is a different style than Ballroom tangos which are a more rigid form, with standardized judging,” Britton said. “There is more room for creativity and interpretation in Argentine.”
Columbus resident Joan Moore decided to attend because she has already tried other forms of dance like Folk.
“This (Argentine tango) is a more artistic expression,” Moore said. “I heard about Francesco, heard he was excellent.”
The instructors are easy to follow and demonstrate the steps with each other and the students.
Hala Chaoui, a doctoral student in Agricultural Engineering, said that the dance is very unconventional and the instructors are too.
“(The instructors) care about the tango more than making money. Francesco has a technical artistic side as an instructor. It makes him easier to understand.”
Britton said he enjoys helping the students. “Watching the people improve and creating more tango dancers in Columbus is great,” Britton said.
