I just read Don Herbison-Evan's 2003 essay on Gender & Choreography: an Irrational Tango and I found some of its insights intriguing. He tracks the evolution of western dance from the precise sequence of figures to more creative ad hoc choreography. So much of the history of western dance seems tied up with class issues, it makes me wonder about the historical trajectories of other traditions, such as those of Africa or Native America. Of course, it also made me wonder where tango, with its freedom from prescribed figures (as I have been studying it anyway) fits into his schema.

Posted by Michael on 10/29/05; 6:29:45 PM