Fan Tango

(1914)


Contemporary Description

This is a short, easy tango sequence of only 16 counts, described by Albert Newman of Philadelphia in 1914.


The Position

Tango Position and Closed Position, as illustrated below.


The Footwork

Part I - Promenade and Dip (4 counts): Promenade two steps forward in tango position, starting outside feet (1, 2), then dip and sway forward on outside feet (3), and sway back onto inside feet, keeping knees bent (4).

Part II - Repeat (4 counts): Repeat Part I (5, 6, 7, 8).

Part III - The Fan (4 counts): Point outside foot forward (1), to the outside (2), then place it crossed behind and dip on it (3), then point to the outside again (4). It is noted that "this movement when done by the two partners together will represent the opening and closing of a fan."



Part IV - The Turn (4 counts): A four count rocking turn to the right in closed position (5, 6, 7, 8). The Lead steps back left in front of the Follow, as she steps forward toward him. Then they rock back and forth three times, turning to the right. The amount of rotation is unspecified, but if you want to keep the sequence moving LOD, you need to complete a full rotation in just four steps.

Repeat, or add the Minuet Tango.


The Music

No music is specified, so any square tango tune of the era will work.

© 2016 Nick Enge

(Click to expand)

Historical Descriptions

Fan Tango (Newman, Dances of To-Day, 1914, p. 134):



Fan Tango (Clendenen, Dance Mad [Early 1914 Edition], 1914, p. 64):

Fan Tango (Clendenen, Dance Mad [Late 1914 Edition], 1914, p. 100):

For more dance descriptions, see our three books on dancing:
The Book of Mixers: 100 Easy-Teach Dances for Getting Acquainted (2022) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge,
Cross-Step Waltz: A Dancer's Guide (2019) by Richard Powers and Nick & Melissa Enge, and
Waltzing: A Manual for Dancing and Living (2013) by Richard Powers and Nick Enge.

For full-length teaching videos, visit: University of Dance.

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