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All of the photographs in the Tango Manhattan series feature social dancers, rather than choreographed or staged performances, photographed in the milongas of New York City during 2009. Moving beyond the stereotypes of how dance - particularly tango - is often depicted in the media, these images present a portrait of the rich range of emotional expression and social interaction that exists within Manhattan's tango community. Against the backdrop of New York City, which can often be characterized by competitiveness and anonymity, these images are more than just a visual depiction of a dance – they are evidence of the vibrancy of a physical community and of the intimacy of touch.

This work represents a portion of an ongoing long-term project documenting dance communities in large cities.

Michelle DeBlasi is a photographer whose work explores the themes of cultural expression, emotional connection, and social interaction, frequently through the performing arts.