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Al Pacino Move Over. Same-Sex Dancing is Here to Stay
... Two men stride towards each other on a moonlit, cobbled street, stepping in unison to the plaintive song of a lone musician, their faces carved by the shadows of night, their eyes darting looks of desire mingled with rivalry. Like bulls intent on dominance, they paw the ground in broad sweeping movements or in quick gestures of power and grace, then glide like phantoms over the rough-hewn street. They freeze, as living statues, now close enough to touch. The night breeze ruffles their billowing shirts and silken scarves. The music holds its breath in anticipation...
 Such is the essence of Tango, a same-sex dance since its origins in the poor districts of Buenos Aires in the early 20th century, when working men too poor to dance in the bordellos more than once a week, would practice with eachother in the meantime. It is a history often overlooked amid the stereotypical images of tuxedoed gallants and oral roses that took over when Hollywood got hold of the idea.
 But now two leading lights of New York's tango scene, Walter Zylinski and Ian Reed, are setting out to restore Argentine tango to its same-sex roots, with their newly formed Libertango Dance Company, and hold weekly classes at the Lesbian & Gay Center, along with monthly social dance events entitled 'The Other Room', at which they stage, in the words of one audience member, "stunningly beautiful" man-to-man performances.
"The name 'Libertango' emphasizes the idea of freedom in tango, not just in the expression of the dance, but in gender, allowing men and women to lead or follow or do both," said Reed, a performer from England, who was a student of Zylinski until the two started teaching together in the summer of 2000.
"There are no rules in tango," said Zylinski, a performer of international status from Argentina. "It was born on the street, not in a ballroom or a dance studio. Tango was created by many people with many styles. No-one can tell you: 'This is wrong; this is right'."
Same-sex dancing has an ancient tradition, according to Reed, who points to the ancient biblical theme of Jacob wrestling with the angel, as described in the book of Genesis. "It encapsulates in one image the idea of man contending with God, man with man, angel with angel."
Libertango Dance Company
(212) 726-8681
Classes every Saturday from 2-3.30 pm, all levels.
You Should be Dancing
Bring shoes with minimal friction. No need for a partner.
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