The tango’s development in the late nineteenth century is somewhat obscurely documented, despite its relative modernity. Developing over several years, the approximate year of its origin is given as 1880, although it is likely that it reached a more official form sometime in between 1880 and 1890 (Collier, 1992). The tango as a dance was first established in Buenos Aires, Argentina, however there is also an early record of it some 200 kilometres away on the other side of the Rio de la Plaza estuary in Montevideo, Uruguay (Collier, 1992).
During the nineteenth century, Argentina’s modernisation and agricultural capabilities led to a rapid influx of immigrants: between 1821 and 1932, Argentina received more immigrants than any country apart from the United States of America (Azzi, 1996). By 1869, twenty-four per cent of Buenos Aires’ population was comprised of Italians, and eight of Spaniards (Azzi, 1996). By 1914, over half of the 1.5 million-strong population were immigrants (Collier, 1992). This massive
…show more content…
Musicians (usually guitarists, flautists, clarinettists, and violinists) would improvise, basing their music off the dancers’ steps and it was only in the early twentieth century that conventions were established. The first tango bands with the typical layout of a tango sextet (two violins, two bandoneons, piano, and double-bass) were found in La Boca, a region south of the Centro. This area was inhabited primarily by immigrants from the Genoa region of Italy and it was Italian bandleaders who were responsible for the immense popularity of the tango at the beginning of the twentieth century, not only in Argentina but in Europe and North America, too (Azzi, 1996; Collier, 1992). Notable tango artists who were responsible for making the tango a global phenomenon include bandleader Vicento Greco, Carlos Gardel (who sang tangos as songs and who was known as the King of
The tradition still takes place today in many areas of Mexico. However, some parts of Mexico do the dance a little differently. The dance is more common in the central regi...
“Columbia’s Unwelcome Guests”, by Frank Beard (February 7, 1885), displays how the unrestricted US policies that were implemented were causing more immigrants to emigrate from Europe. The new aliens are depicted as anarchist, socialist, and the Mafia arriving from the sewers of Italy, Russia, and Germany. In the late nineteenth century, the U.S. government was not only concerned with the racialization of the immigrants entering the country, but also
Rostas, S. (2009). Carrying the world: The concheros dance in mexico city. (pp. 21-209). Boulder: University Press of Colorado.
Feagin, Joe R. “The First U.S Latinos: White Wealth and Mexican Labor.” Richard and Jean 67.
Salsa, tango, and bachata have very different historic backgrounds, but come from the same culture. Latin music is popular for various genres in Latin America, mainly in Cuba, and is unique for the type of rhythmic structure it builds. The music is so alive that is pulls at the feet and hips of dancers, driving them to the dance floor. When dancing to the music their hips sway in time, and their feet mark the beat. If people did not grow up with this type of music, its complex rhythms can be intimidating.
From the years 1880 to the early 1900’s immigrants from Italy began to find their way to the new land in America. But why did they choose to move and why did they choose here? Opposition to the fascist rule of Benito Mussolini was one major cause of the great number of Italians leaving Italy. Other reasons were that poverty, overpopulation, and natural disaster all spurred in Italy in the late 1800’s. Also the illiteracy rate in southern Italy was nearly 70 percent, about 10 times as high as Germany, France and England in the late 1800’s. There was a lack of cultivatable land and of industrial resources such as coal and iron. Also they had a lack of modern agricultural technology, therefor the 80% of Italians who relied on farming for their income fell to poverty when there farms became insufficient. There was also a disease, Phylloxera, which spread and killed many vineyards. Natural disasters destroyed many families’ lives in Italy including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and massive tidal waves. In Italy, a worker could make between $2 and $8 for 6 days of work, while in other countries such as the United States they could make around $20 or more a week.
The Web. The Web. 20 March 2014. http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwii/ahf/mineta/background.htm “Immigration Since the 1870s.” University At Albany.
Jaffe, A. J., R.M. Cullen, and T.D. Boswell. 1990. The Changing Demography of Spanish Americans. New York: Academic Press.
Morales, Ed. The Latin Beat: The Rhythms and Roots of Latin Music from Bossa Nova to Salsa and Beyond. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo, 2003. Print.
Through the history and trends of Latin American immigration, one can begin to understand the impact of immigration on American society. Latin American countries have not always been the leading countries of origin for immigrants to the United States; however, with the Immigration and Nationality Act, they surpassed European countries’ immigration and rose to the top (1). Subsequently, a number of Hispanics ca...
Flamenco (may refer to ‘Flamingo’ - bird or the ‘Flanders’ region) originated (much later than Kathak) in 18th century Southern Spain-Andalucía . It was mostly performed by the Andalucía society that comprised Gitano (Gypsies). However, unlike Kathak, Flamenco dancers were from diverse professional backgrounds and the dance was not necessarily confined to a small group of people. Unlike Kathak, Flamenco dance lacked prestige because the Gitanos were discriminated and prosecuted because of their ethnicity. Flamenco mostly dealt with themes of hope/struggle/will power/bonding/patriotism - a representation of the general life of the gypsies. The early form of Flamenco solely consisted of verbal communication of stories carrying the mentioned themes.
The Folklorico group presentation I was honored to observed was the “Grupo Folklorico Juventud” from North Salinas High School. I decided to attend to this presentation because I use to be part of this Folklorico group. I also enjoy watching the dances for the reason that I believe they are beyond beautiful. It is amazing how a simple dance could transmit so much information while representing a region from Mexico. From my observation experienced, I noticed every region has different movements and customs for a reason. While observing the presentation I noticed most women used long skirts to create different shapes. They usually create the eight shape, half a circle or an entire circle which is created when the dancer does an entire spin while holding and moving their skirt. The skirt is also moved in different levels, such as high, medium, and low. The two levels that are used in most of the dances is the high and the medium level. While dancing the men and women usually do the same steps and movements. All the dances include “zapateados” which are known as foot dances or stomps. The “zapateados” are usually done with different parts of the feet such as the toe, heel and the sole of the feet. The dances include “zapateados” with different sections of the feet because every part creates a different sound. Most of the dances also include jumps and turns. It is extremely important for the
The humble beginnings of Los Angeles only further emphasize the uniqueness of the construction of the community. Los Angeles morphed from a pueblo into a major metropolis overnight. In the county of Los Angeles, a population of 101,000 people in 1890 soared to a roaring 2.2 million by 1930 (Villa 37-38). These immigrants were overwhelmingly Anglo, a stark juxtaposition to the previous majority of Mexican-Americans. From the moment of their arrival, this new majority began to create a new community. To understand this new community, one must use a socio-geog...
Many young girls grow up taking ballet class, but there is a lot more to ballet than just little girls running around in tutus. Many people think that ballet is boring or isn’t their thing but there are many roles that go into putting on a ballet. A lot of work goes into doing a ballet. There are many famous ballets that without the story, the ballet wouldn’t be as interesting. There were many influential dancers and choreographers in ballet. There are many basic steps that frame the technique of ballet. Ballet is very physically and mentally demanding. Ballet is an art that many people misunderstand, but there is so much more to ballet.
Nowadays the Tango is something of high class or upper society. It’s very sophisticated but, during the times of its origin, it became popular in the slums, or the underbelly of Argentina. The immigrants of Europe, Africa, and other unknown ports streamed into the outskirts of Buenos Aires in the 1880’s. They would find their amusement in drinking and sex. They would go to the whorehouses to satisfy their need to keep busy. From this came a mix of cultures and eventually the creation of the Tango. Although it can’t be proven that this is its exact origin this is the theory that is most logical. The relentless rhythms that the African slaves, the candombe, beat on their drums (kno...