Tango Uncorked #24 - Mariela Franganillo - Make them feel welcome!

Welcome back after a 5 year hiatus! Today on the show we sit down with long time New Yorker, Mariela Franganillo to chat about the past, present, and future of Tango here in New York City and elsewhere. She welcomes us into her past and her philosophy of dance, teaching, and performing. Recently she has teamed up with Dagny Miller organizing and producing tango events in NYC.

Stay tuned for their upcoming festival here in NYC in November 2025!

 

• (05:36) Mariela reflects on her arrival in New York in 1996 with the show Forever Tango, which significantly influenced her career and connection to the city. She notes that the Tango community was larger in the 90s due to the popularity of such shows, which attracted many newcomers.
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• (07:30) The conversation highlights the challenges of maintaining a vibrant Tango community, emphasizing the importance of a dedicated core group despite the transient nature of many participants.
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• (12:30) Mariela and Adam discuss the impact of social media and technology on Tango, noting that while it can attract new dancers, it often detracts from the live experience. She stresses the importance of being present during performances rather than focusing on recording them.
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• (15:19) Mariela emphasizes the value of preparation in performances, stating that even improvisational dances require a strong foundation. They find it disrespectful when performers do not adequately prepare.
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• (18:11) Mariela shares her journey into Tango, starting with her love for Greek dance and her early training with Gustavo Naviera. She highlights the unique environment of learning Tango in Argentina compared to other places.
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• (22:04) Mariela recounts their decision to learn to lead in Tango to avoid dependence on partners and enhance their teaching abilities. They reflect on the clarity and compactness of leading techniques taught by Gustavo and Mingo Pugliese.
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• (27:07) The conversation touches on the taboo surrounding women leading and men following in Tango, contrasting professional acceptance with conservative views at milongas. Mariela emphasizes the importance of breaking these norms to foster inclusivity.
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• (31:11) Adam and Mariela highlights the importance of teaching musicality and phrasing in Tango, as it helps dancers connect with the music on a deeper level. They stress that stepping on the beat is not enough to convey the essence of Tango.
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• (37:19) Mariela emphasizes the need for the Tango community to engage with beginners, suggesting collaborative efforts to attract new dancers through events and classes. She notes the openness and enthusiasm of beginners as a valuable asset to the community.
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• (40:03) Mariela reflects on their evolution in dancing with beginners, finding joy in these experiences and prioritizing connection over technical perfection. They emphasize that every dancer has the potential to improve over time.
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• (42:12) The conversation explores the balance between maintaining personal technique and supporting a partner's skill level, emphasizing kindness and integrity in dance partnerships.
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• (48:01) Mariela shares her independent journey in Tango, learning to lead and dance with various partners, which enriched her understanding of movement and musicality. She highlights the importance of connection in dance, stating that true dancing cannot occur without it.
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• (50:01) Adam discusses the necessity of inspiration in the dance journey, explaining that they and their partner continue to study with different teachers to avoid stagnation in their dance.
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• (01:01:46) The conversation highlights the challenges of attracting beginners to Tango classes in New York City, emphasizing the need for effective promotion and collaboration among instructors.
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• (01:06:04) The importance of hygiene and etiquette in Tango, particularly in close embraces, is discussed, with a call for better education on these topics for newcomers.
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• (01:09:17) Mariela shares her approach to teaching beginners, emphasizing the importance of connection, listening, and gentle touch in the initial classes to foster a comfortable learning environment.