Sorry Don. There are so many aspects of dance in the Tango and using the head flick is not one I would consider to be important. That's the reason I tried to treat the query lightly. So how did the head flick come about? The first time I saw it being used was back in the 50's. The dancer was from Wales, UK. The couple were in promenade position, gent's head to the left lady's head to the right. Their exit was blocked so they turned back to a closed position. Heads returned to normal. Then the gent must have noticed he could now dance the promenade figure, so heads and body positions returned to promenade. Those of us who saw it we gave our approval with the Blackpool roar. This all happened in the top corner of the East end of the Empress ballroom. Being pro dancers they knew they had done something the knowledgeable crowd liked and they continued with a Closed Promenade but retained their promenade position. They then repeated the turn to closed position and then the opening out to promenade position. The whole Gardens knew something was happening in the East End and all eyes where down there. Then when the head and body actions were danced again we heard the full Blackpool roar. Next day when we met with anyone we were all shaking our heads. If there is a technique then it is the lady who turns her head, counter- clockwise keeping the same plane (not raising the chin) to a closed hold position and then back to promenade. The gent only slightly, from promenade to closed position then back to promenade.
