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Enjoy Getting the Dances You Want: Filling in the Blanks of Argentine Tango - Book 1
"I'd give anything to dance with them!"
Whether you're a beginner to Argentine Tango, or you've been doing it for years, this book will show you to get more of the dances you want and enjoy them. It presents a wealth of information on the social intricacies of tango, so you too can savour the experiences tango has to offer:
Learn the four types of dancers
Discover the secrets of inviting partners to dance
Feel more relaxed in new and unknown venues
Get more magical dances!
No matter your age, or level of experience, Enjoy Getting the Dances You Want will help take the confusion out of tango social dancing and put the pleasure back in!
Learn the four types of dancers
Discover the secrets of inviting partners to dance
Feel more relaxed in new and unknown venues
Get more magical dances!
No matter your age, or level of experience, Enjoy Getting the Dances You Want will help take the confusion out of tango social dancing and put the pleasure back in!
244 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2017
6 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 7, 2018
‘I realized I could go into any Milonga and enjoy blissful dances for the entire evening.’
Oliver Kent PhD is an author and teacher who passionately believes that there's no good reason to make another's life harder and that it's usually less painful to learn from someone else's mistakes. As such he's currently in the process of sharing his (often hard-won) experience through writing books that help make life a little easier. He also dances. A lot. He has published many books on the Tango as well as books Healing your Relationship with God, Finding Hope: Searching for Happiness, and two books of Buddhist quotations with accompanying reflections.
Some readers may react to the title of this book as a subject that doesn’t pertain to them – that they 1) don’t dance and 2) don’t know the first thing about dancing the Tango. The push away factor would be preventing general readers from Oliver’s magnetic humor and social interaction teachings in his immensely entertaining and informative book ENJOY GETTING THE DANCES YOU WANT: FILLING IN THE BLANK OF ARGENTINE TANGO.
Not only is this a resource about the history of tango and the place of the dace in both the home base of Argentina and its growth in popularity in most cultures (thanks in part to the beauty of watching fine tango dancers in films and on the stage – and even in the ballroom or milonga), but Oliver’s concepts about the social aspects of the world’s most sensuous dance apply to human interaction in every part of life.
In his Preface he states the book’s purpose – ‘There's a lot of heartache when it comes to getting dances. Because it doesn't matter if you're the best dancer on the planet if no one will dance with you. A lot of people believe that when you become a Good Social Dancer, you magically gain access to all the partners that you want. Unfortunately, many experienced tango dancers can't clearly put into words what it means to be a Good Social Dancer, let alone how they achieve it. How do you find the tango venues that suit you best? What can you do to make yourself feel at ease in them? On the night when it all goes horribly wrong, how do you turn it around? And how do you get the partners you want? There isn't even agreement on the correct way to invite someone, how it's supposed to work and whether some versions truly are a thing of evil? On top of that, there's also often a culture of fear. You are told in a thousand subtle and not-so-subtle ways that the other dancers are, at best, the competition, at worst the enemy. Hopefully by the end of this book, you'll see that's not the case. But what about the other important things, like technique and musicality? Those and more will be addressed in the upcoming books of this series. For now, let's focus on getting the dances you want and having a good time at tango venues. This isn't intended to be the Bible of the One True Way to dance tango. It's simply here to fill in the blanks for tango dancers of all persuasions and levels of experience. From how to enter the Milonga, to dealing with being manhandled on the dance floor, to Unicorn Glades. So get yourself a glass of something pleasant, sit back and let's talk about social tango.’
And that is the manner in which the ‘blanks’ about the tango are discussed and taught. This is one fine entertaining book – and chances are after reading it you’ll be searching for a nearby Milonga – of sorts.
Oliver Kent PhD is an author and teacher who passionately believes that there's no good reason to make another's life harder and that it's usually less painful to learn from someone else's mistakes. As such he's currently in the process of sharing his (often hard-won) experience through writing books that help make life a little easier. He also dances. A lot. He has published many books on the Tango as well as books Healing your Relationship with God, Finding Hope: Searching for Happiness, and two books of Buddhist quotations with accompanying reflections.
Some readers may react to the title of this book as a subject that doesn’t pertain to them – that they 1) don’t dance and 2) don’t know the first thing about dancing the Tango. The push away factor would be preventing general readers from Oliver’s magnetic humor and social interaction teachings in his immensely entertaining and informative book ENJOY GETTING THE DANCES YOU WANT: FILLING IN THE BLANK OF ARGENTINE TANGO.
Not only is this a resource about the history of tango and the place of the dace in both the home base of Argentina and its growth in popularity in most cultures (thanks in part to the beauty of watching fine tango dancers in films and on the stage – and even in the ballroom or milonga), but Oliver’s concepts about the social aspects of the world’s most sensuous dance apply to human interaction in every part of life.
In his Preface he states the book’s purpose – ‘There's a lot of heartache when it comes to getting dances. Because it doesn't matter if you're the best dancer on the planet if no one will dance with you. A lot of people believe that when you become a Good Social Dancer, you magically gain access to all the partners that you want. Unfortunately, many experienced tango dancers can't clearly put into words what it means to be a Good Social Dancer, let alone how they achieve it. How do you find the tango venues that suit you best? What can you do to make yourself feel at ease in them? On the night when it all goes horribly wrong, how do you turn it around? And how do you get the partners you want? There isn't even agreement on the correct way to invite someone, how it's supposed to work and whether some versions truly are a thing of evil? On top of that, there's also often a culture of fear. You are told in a thousand subtle and not-so-subtle ways that the other dancers are, at best, the competition, at worst the enemy. Hopefully by the end of this book, you'll see that's not the case. But what about the other important things, like technique and musicality? Those and more will be addressed in the upcoming books of this series. For now, let's focus on getting the dances you want and having a good time at tango venues. This isn't intended to be the Bible of the One True Way to dance tango. It's simply here to fill in the blanks for tango dancers of all persuasions and levels of experience. From how to enter the Milonga, to dealing with being manhandled on the dance floor, to Unicorn Glades. So get yourself a glass of something pleasant, sit back and let's talk about social tango.’
And that is the manner in which the ‘blanks’ about the tango are discussed and taught. This is one fine entertaining book – and chances are after reading it you’ll be searching for a nearby Milonga – of sorts.
October 30, 2018
The book talk about one of the core elements of Tango, the social aspect.
Tango attracts a lot of different kind of people, and not all everybody has the same goals with the dance.
It looks like Oliver have some time in the community and that he had traveled and visited a lot of milongas around the world.
I think this book could be useful for a lot of people, if you are starting with the dance it talks a lot about the social norms, what people looks in a partner for dancing.
Also, if you want to get involved in the community somehow, maybe teaching, hosting a milonga or DJ’ing.
And most importantly, if you think that you are an Ok dancer, but you still have some difficult getting dances.
Learning tango can have its ups and downs, this book will help you with savor better the bright side of social tango and understand those disappointed moment and how to overcome them.
I'll probably re-read this book in the future
Tango attracts a lot of different kind of people, and not all everybody has the same goals with the dance.
It looks like Oliver have some time in the community and that he had traveled and visited a lot of milongas around the world.
I think this book could be useful for a lot of people, if you are starting with the dance it talks a lot about the social norms, what people looks in a partner for dancing.
Also, if you want to get involved in the community somehow, maybe teaching, hosting a milonga or DJ’ing.
And most importantly, if you think that you are an Ok dancer, but you still have some difficult getting dances.
Learning tango can have its ups and downs, this book will help you with savor better the bright side of social tango and understand those disappointed moment and how to overcome them.
I'll probably re-read this book in the future
March 29, 2019
Oliver Kent, the author of this comprehensive 2016 first of two books on the Argentine Tango tells readers how to get better at dancing tango and enjoying it. The book contains fourteen easy to read and understand practical chapters. Each has many parts. The book not only tells what is right, but also “what am I doing wrong.” It also discusses such issues as, the beginning, middle and end of tango, positioning, cutting in, scent, talking while dancing, on being turned down, how to cope when it seems that no one wants to dance with you, figuring out who wants to dance with you, eye contacts, shy beginners, hidden opportunities, even wallflowers get to dance, talking to people, being sociable, how to avoid feeling tired and stressed, when it all goes wrong, and much more. In short, the book tells readers all they need to know about dancing tango and enjoying it.
August 14, 2018
As a young tanguero afraid of going to Milongas, but with the skill to do so, this book has given me not just the tools to be better prepared once I attend one, things like alternatives to cabeceo, how to scan the room for potential partners, etc; but, above all, a greater apreciation of what it truly means to be in a Milonga, not just the physical place, but the state of mind.
I feel like I can appreciate more what my teacher always said, that in a Milonga you don't just connect with the music and your partner; you also connect with everyone else around you.
And for that I thank this great book and its amazing author Oliver Kent.
I feel like I can appreciate more what my teacher always said, that in a Milonga you don't just connect with the music and your partner; you also connect with everyone else around you.
And for that I thank this great book and its amazing author Oliver Kent.
January 6, 2021
Oliver Kent with another fascinating analysis!
This book dives into the world of the Tango, something to which I am a complete newbie. He opens the book with a short backstory and then provides insight into the four types of dancers. Interesting to learn how the different types measures their success.
I found the analysis of this world truly fascinating. Dr. Kent provides details on navigating the social hierarchy, whether it be conflict with different types of dancers or adapting your personal approach.
My favorite section of this book was "The Magician's Trick". Not only valuable with choosing a dance partner, this section contains great tips for anyone on the shy side. So simple but often overlooked!
If you're interested in learning more about the Argentina Tango but unsure where to start, pick up this book. Excellent insight.
This book dives into the world of the Tango, something to which I am a complete newbie. He opens the book with a short backstory and then provides insight into the four types of dancers. Interesting to learn how the different types measures their success.
I found the analysis of this world truly fascinating. Dr. Kent provides details on navigating the social hierarchy, whether it be conflict with different types of dancers or adapting your personal approach.
My favorite section of this book was "The Magician's Trick". Not only valuable with choosing a dance partner, this section contains great tips for anyone on the shy side. So simple but often overlooked!
If you're interested in learning more about the Argentina Tango but unsure where to start, pick up this book. Excellent insight.
April 26, 2025
A very useful analysis of the world of milongas. I wish I’d read it in the first month or two rather than over a year into dancing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews