Tech Squares: the square and round dance club of MIT

MASOCHISM TANGO

Song by Tom Lehrer; Choreography by Doris T-Bow

OP FC ON DIAG.  MEN FACE REV LINE/WALL

INTRO

WAIT 3 NOTES; ONE MEAS.; APT, TCH, P/U, TCH;  GAUCHO 4 TO FC LINE; WALK 2; FWD TANGO DRAW;

1 A

WALK 2; FWD TANGO DRAW; INTO CTR 2; MEN IN FRNT, TANGO DRAW; SEMI - RUN 3 TO REV. SEMI; RUN 3 TO SEMI; WLK 2, P/U, TANGO DRAW;  GAUCHO 4 TO FC REV; FWD TANGO DRAW;

2 A

WALK 2; FWD TANGO DRAW; OUT TO WALL 2; MEN IN FRNT, TANGO DRAW; SEMI - RUN 3 TO REV. SEMI; RUN 3 TO SEMI; WLK 2, P/U, TANGO DRAW;  GAUCHO 4 TO FC THE WALL; FWD TANGO DRAW;

3 B

SD, TCH, SD, FLARE; BHND, SD, THRU, FLARE THRU; TRPL RK (HOLD); VINE 4; SD, TCH, SD, FLARE; BHND, SD, THRU, FLARE, THRU; TRPL RK; VINE 4; P/U TANGO DRAW;

4 A

WALK 2; FWD TANGO DRAW; INTO CTR 2; MEN IN FRNT, TANGO DRAW; SEMI - RUN 3 TO REV SEMI; RUN 3 TO SEMI; (BREATH) WALK & FC WALL; FWD TANGO DRAW; WAIT;

5 C

SEMI - WALK 2; VINE 3 TO SEMI; TRPL RK + CHECK, REC, SD, THRU; MERENGUE 7 TO REV + CHECK; SEMI - WALK, MEN HOOK; UNWIND 4 TO SEMI FC REV; WLK 2; VINE 3 TO SEMI; TRIPLE RK + CHECK; REC, SD, THRU; MERENGUE 7 + CHECK; SEMI - WALK, MEN HOOK; UNWIND 4 TO CLOD;

6 A

WALK 2; FWD TANGO DRAW; INTO CTR 2; MEN IN FRNT, TANGO DRAW; SEMI - RUN 3 TO REV. SEMI; RUN 3 TO SEMI; WK + FACE WALL; FWD TANGO DRAW;

7 B

SD, TCH, SD, FLARE; BHND, SD, THRU, FLARE THRU; TRIPL RK; VINE 4; SD, TCH, SD, FLARE; BHND, SD, THRU, FLARE THRU; TRPL RK; P/U TANGO DRAW;

8 A

WALK 2; FWD TANGO DRAW; INTO CTR 2; MEN IN FRNT, TANGO DRAW; SEMI - RUN 3 TO REV SEMI; RUN 3 TO SEMI; (BREATH) WALK 2; VINE 4; LUNGE-TWIST; LEG CRAWL;

Notes from Linda Resnick

Retyped from a dancer's copy; feel free to question the transcription if something seems off.

There are 3 words in parentheses:

  • for the "hold" Doris thinks you probably want to actually say "hold" as a cue, but you should listen to the music to make sure that makes sense with the timing.
  • for the 2 times it says "breath" Doris thinks that the pause is so short you don't have to cue a hold, but you should take a short breath before you say the next cue; the music presumably has something non-melodic, like a laugh there.

There are 5 parts labelled "A." They are all slightly different. The 2 "B"s are also slightly different. Doris & I [Linda] went through each of the differences and they all sound right to her.

All of the parts after the Intro are also labeled 1-8. All of these labels are just to make it easier for you to find your place. I don't know that the A's and B's are even useful because they're all different, but it gives you a general idea what's coming. Be sure to read them carefully.

Doris thought you might want to omit the final Leg Crawl, that not being much of a Tech Sqs/changing partners thing, though it does fit with the tango.