Skip to main content

Microcosm

Tango has social hierarchy. Yup, that's right, as much as we like to think the Milonga floor is a level playing field, Tango has all the constructions of mimicking the real world. As beginners, we are so unaware of what is in store, thinking molinete's are impossible (they are with beginner leaders), wondering how we will ever make ochos look good, wondering how people can react with near perfect timing (that is called connection).

First Milonga, November 2009, Bubble Tea involved, a reluctant CC, 10:30 leaving the apt for Vitosh. Darkness, surrender, nervousness, knots in stomachs. Random people asking us to dance, apologetic us, having no idea what is going on. Love, right there. Completely and utterly gave in to the dance willingly. Never looked back since.

Last Vitosh Milonga, May 22nd 2010, familiar faces, familiar chatter. Names thrown around, Felipe Martinez performing. Excitement. Letting go. Eyes shut, close embrace, confidence. Can't believe this is the last one. Thoughts running through head.

Last Last Milonga with a loved one, May 29th 2010, Phoenix Center. Tired. But happy. Body and Soul.

Everytime I step on the dance floor. I start again.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Tango Diaries: Lesson with Alejandro Gée and his partner, Joujou

My Tango Diaries: Lesson with Alejandro Gée and his partner, Joujou : From Alejandro Gée's studio - more pictures and info from his website here: http://tangoalejandrogee.com/ The Lesson with Alejan... 1.) Sink into the standing knee first instead of stepping/falling straight back into the back step. (I've heard that before - not sure why I can't seem to remember to do that.) According to Alejandro, basically the sequence would be: 1. Sink the weight into the floor through the standing leg (here’s where the knee bends slightly in order to be able to push the weight of the body back in the next step), while straight,   free leg extends backwards   caressing the floor with no weight on it and torso reaches towards the partner.   The standing hip is strong and grounded, the free hip is relaxed and opening backwards as a natural continuation of the leg. The knee is straight. 2.   Weight transfer: heel of the leg extended backwards goes into the floor and ...
2 comments
Read more

Simple

After the countless videos, watching the performances by passing Tango teachers, performances by stage Tango dancers, sitting and absorbing Milongas, the one couple that sticks in my mind has to be T and his fiance who met through Tango in Argentina. Their seamless blending, the fact that she didn't even need to be wearing shoes and their swapping of roles. Even though I was exposed to this early on the clueless beginnings of Tango, you could already appreciate the intimacy between the two. In hindsight after a bit more experience, it becomes even clearer that, that would be the ultimate Tango experience. It's like staring at something without the tools to understand it, then later when you come back with the tools in hand, it hits you, "ah hah!" that's what it is! It's like being told, "this will be useful in life later, trust me", and staring at math sets that have no correlation with your life, until later when you're facing a job assessme...
2 comments
Read more

Stages

It's funny how I often think of topics to write at moments where I have nothing to write them on, which results in me typing a one-liner in my sms column as a trigger which later when I go back to refer to tends to make absolutely no sense to me! But yes anyway, Tango stages! 1) You have entirely NO idea what the hell the dance is about and walking seems like the most impossible thing to do. You jump up and down inside when you finally manage 5 meters w/o crashing into each other and are elated when the instructor comes over and leads you in a way that you actually feel like you know what you doing. You go away completely and utterly motivated to want to know more. 2) Basics are handed to you, ochos! impossible things! Molinete's! wtf, my legs can do that....omg leader why are you a beginner too! 3)Sacadas and ganchos and all the other good stuff. Now we're talking. 4)After getting to know the community and everyone around (obviously Tango isn't just a dance, ...
Post a Comment
Read more