American Tango
Also known as: Closed Tango, Smooth Tango
History & Cultural Context
American Tango emerged in the United States during the 1920s-1960s as American dancers blended Argentine tango traditions, International Standard technique, and American preferences for theatrical expression. Unlike International Standard Tango's staccato rhythms, American Tango emphasizes flowing, traveling action similar to foxtrot. The dance allows for greater separation and dramatic variations, making it popular with American competitors and social dancers. Fred Astaire and other Hollywood dancers popularized distinctive American Tango styles in films. The formalization of American Smooth competition gave American Tango an official competitive category.
Cultural Significance
American Tango represents the American interpretation of Argentine and European tango traditions. Hollywood films starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers popularized distinctive American Tango styles featuring greater separation and theatrical presentation. This contrasts with both Argentine tango's improvisational embrace and International Standard's staccato formality.
Peak Popularity
Key Historical Figures
- Walk
- Progressive Side Step
- Promenade
- Natural Turn
- Reverse Turn
Notable Codifiers
- Fred Astaire
- American ballroom teachers
- Arthur Murray
Dance Lineage
More in American Smooth
American Waltz
American Waltz adapted the International Standard Waltz for American preferences, allowing for greater separation and looser movement while maintaining the fundamental three-quarter rhythm and turning action.
American Foxtrot
American Foxtrot emphasizes smooth, flowing traveling action with greater partner separation than International Standard, allowing dancers to showcase theatrical styling and individual expression.
American Viennese Waltz
American Viennese Waltz adapted the fast rotational Viennese Waltz for American ballroom, allowing for greater variation while maintaining the characteristic continuous turning action.
American Peabody
Peabody is one of the fastest ballroom dances — a rapid American Smooth dance in 4/4 time danced to fast-paced ragtime music at 240-248 BPM. Dancers frequently pass their feet rather than closing them, allowing for a fast, gliding motion at speeds often exceeding International Quickstep.