Modern Tango World N° 4 (Bucharest, Romania) | Page 40

The Obamas Tango in Buenos Aires

The Nestor Kirchner Cultural Center held a gala dinner hosted by Argentine President Mauricio Macri for US President Barack Obama. At the dinner,
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
were coaxed to the dance floor by professional tango
dancers, Mora Godoy and José Lugones.
Prior to the presidential dance, Godoy and her partner danced to legendary tangos La Cumparsita and
Código de Barras as performed by Bajofondo. Godoy
a had just finished a performing when the stunning
brunette, clad in a glittering gold dress with matching
gold stilettos, got an idea to ask President Obama
to dance. Godoy left little to the imagination. As she
politely said hello to Michelle, complimenting her on
her the marvelous speech that she had given before
dancing with her husband.
But there were no worries. The first lady got into the
act, too. Michelle acceptied an invite to tango with the
handsome José Lugones.

The first couple danced to another classic tango,
Por Una Cabeza, as hundreds of guests were entertained by this impromptu performance.
After initially resisting, the president reluctantly sauntered across the dance floor, giving in to Mora Godoy’s invitation to dance the tango Despite his attempts to wave off the invitation, President Obama
surprised the world by showing he had a few moves.
Godoy was certainly in charge of of the dance. Moments later, the first lady joined in the tango.
The state dinner came at the end of the first of the
Obama’s trip to Argentina. The next day, the first
family traveled to Patagonia before flying back to
Washington.
Tango maestro Ney Melo commented —
It was wonderful to see President Obama dance
the tango in the spirit of how it was born: impromptu, improvised, and with elegance.
Mora Godoy told the Argentine newspaper La Nacion —
The president told me that he
didn’t know how to tango, and
I told him to follow me. He said
‘OK,’ and he started to dance.
Then, I began to follow him because he is a really good dancer
Mora also said that she had
toned down the sensual nature
of the tango, out of respect for
the two presidents.

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