A Tango’d Web He Weaves

SANTA ANA — A small, fervent clutch of Orange County residents has anxiously awaited this day--not only because it’s Christmas. The movie “The Tango Lesson” is finally opening.

Yes, dance can be a religion, and tango is the practice of the devout local few apt to be moviegoing today, a group who also worships Sundays at the Londance Studio.

Cesar Ricaurte, better known as Mr. Hustle, throws a weekly party for devotees of Argentine tango, the improvisational tango style that’s performed throughout the new film (from Britain’s Sally Potter, who directed the offbeat “Orlando” in 1993).

The intimate milonga (Spanish for “tango party”) usually draws about 25 people. Twice that many arrived in velvety black and red for Ricaurte’s recent holiday soiree.

The night was all about restrained passion and legs in stockings. Eyes cast downward, couples glided rib to rib, men freezing momentarily to allow their partners a sensual caress of their lower leg.

Aggressive, Valentino-style moves that propel partners forward, arms thrust straight ahead like rifles, are for old Hollywood. Show dancers may wax flamboyant. Yet tango surfaced in Buenos Aires’ streets as the mournful expression of destitute immigrants. Today’s Argentine tango can be described as elegant walking; feet rarely leave the ground.

The dance is less exacting than its American cousin, aficionados say, yet more individualistic than other ballroom forms, especially as practiced by competitive pros.

“In Argentine tango, there are no clones,” said party guest David Garcia, a doctor from Mission Viejo. “Each couple interprets the music individually, depending on their emotions and the emotion of the music.”

Ricaurte spins well-known instrumental songs by such tango stars as Astor Piazzolla. He mixes up the format with a few salsa and merengue tunes.

Ricaurte, also a dancer, has staged the county’s only regular hustle night for nine years at Westminster’s Press Box. He started studying tango with partner Patricia Reeves about five years ago. Together, they launched the county’s only weekly milonga in January and occasionally perform for the crowd or bring in professionals for exhibitions.

Their parties draw a mature, friendly crowd of 45 and up, some of whom regularly fly to Argentina to dance or glimpse the real thing, which can also be viewed via videos shown continuously on a modest monitor at Londance.

A workmanlike ballroom school, the venue lacks clublike decoration but boasts a spacious wooden floor, and its lights can be lowered romantically. Tables and plenty of seating surround the floor, and Ricaurte and Reeves offer sodas, coffee, chips, nuts and desserts.

Ricaurte has also begun a Monday night hustle dance at the recently reopened Memories (1074 N. Tustin Ave., Anaheim), which has added Dinner and Dancing to its name. Lessons run from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by open dancing until 1:30 a.m. Admission is $7 (applied toward food and drink); lessons are an additional $10.

Memories also offers dancing to recorded ‘80s tunes on Tuesdays; salsa on Wednesdays; West Coast Swing with teacher Patricia Straight on Thursdays; R&B; and Motown sounds and dancing with crooner Porter Singletary on Fridays; an open dance format on Saturdays; and Latin ballroom dance on Sundays.

BE THERE

Argentine Tango at Londance Studio, 3625 W. MacArthur Blvd., No. 307, Santa Ana. (714) 837-0440. Sundays, 7 p.m.-midnight. Beginning lesson at 3 p.m.; intermediate lesson at 5 p.m. Cover for the dance is $7. Lessons are $10 per class, which includes admission to the dance.