I was recently introduced to the well-developed local tango community through a work friend by attending a "Tango Cabaret" directed and choreographed by Michelle Badion at the Washington Dance Club (1017 Stewart St.).

The venue's mellowed faŤade only hints at its inner glory. One ascends the burgundy staircase and enters another world altogether. The Avalon Ballroom, as it's been known since it was built in 1924, has retained the lovely art-deco architectural details and delicate white crystal chandeliers. The softly-lit ballroom was decorated with white table linens. Fresh flowers and tea lights floated around the periphery of the original 3,000-sq.-ft. blonde Canadian maple floor. Fleeting silhouettes of dancers decorated midnight-blue velvet curtains.

General manager Christa Hinshaw related that in its early days, the site was used as a union dance hall; it's still owned by the local Boilermakers Union. Many of the current senior studio patrons are dancers of that era. A series of professional performance groups hit the stage floor with carefully choreographed sets, fluid examples of traditional salon "close embrace," "fantasy-style," Latin ballroom, meringue and tango nuevo, matched with strangely riveting music by DJ Larry Martin. The show stoppers, just prior to the open-floor milonga (social dance), were Argentine dancers Mariana Dragone and Fabrizio Forte. The music was gorgeous, particularly the groovy acoustic cortinas (intermission) sets of clarinet, piano, and vibraphone.

Tango developed in the barrios of Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the basic steps and turns of European folk dance and later influences of ballroom dance. Unlike other forms of social dancing, traditional and nuevo tango are charming and emotionally subtle. Traditional Argentine salon-style "close embrace" is a ballet of complex footwork and intimately-close movement.

Being a 60-yeard old social dance, there is certain etiquette involved. Tango, like aging, is not for the faint of heart. The dance celebrates traditional roles, where the man is always the dominant or "lead," whose complex direction comes from his hips, the slight pressure of his hands, or the position of his torso. But it was equally as lovely (and common) to see men learning by dancing with other men, and women dancing with women.

The "line of dance" is held in a circular direction on the floor, with enough complexity and technique that initial lessons are requisite. Lesson one: Dance shoes are not worn on the street and should have smooth soles to aid the quiet, sliding movement and pirouettes. The clothing is semiformal but should allow for freedom of movement, such as simple shifts cut on the bias for women, and well-fit suits for men. The integrity of one's personal style is de rigueur.

Student/friend Annlee Krause relates, "One does not look at their feet, but either maintains eye contact or dances with their eyes closed to learn through the sheer physicality of the movement of one's partner, which in a way is somewhat easier. The thing not to do is to overthink it too much, but to just feel the dance with your partner."

It is usual for a man to ask a woman to dance by waiting for the woman's gaze to meet his. Once the gaze is met, he rises from his seat. If she nods in the affirmative, then he approaches and walks her onto the dance floor. When the dance or set of dance ends, one says "thank you" in a way to indicate whether you wish to stop now and continue later, or stop and not dance any further. Care is taken not use the words "thank you" until the dance is completed, as doing so would be considered impolite.

A male participant offered two reasons to get into tango there's a large number of stylish woman to dance with, and if you learn the dance you can't help but look good yourself. For the athletic, one can apply a challenging level of physicality and erotically-coded movement in a socially-acceptable context. I found it all sophisticated, yet open and convivial, and vastly more appealing than the random bouncing movements and confusing rituals of an ordinary nightclub.

There are many local opportunities to be introduced to the world of tango, such as the open (and more casual) practicas held at both the historic Century Ballroom and Velocity Dance. More formal events are held around town almost continuously; info is at www.washingtondance.com and www.seattletango.com. (Traditional Argentine tango music can be heard online at www.la2x4.com.ar/ and www.radiotango.com.)

© 2006 Belltown Messenger