Tangodurians

Some performance really make their mark - Noelia y Carlitos - Una Vez; Chicho y Juana - Milonga del Ayer; Mariaangeles y Tombari - Invierno I've always been someone who hooks onto a song because of a particular phrase or particular enunciation of the melody. Recently this one caught my eye because of the pauses. That sheen of sweat on the back of her neck, his momentary eyes shut moment. Perfectly timed, perfectly expressed without movement. Top 5. For sure, and the next maestra I would love to learn from. There's something about Italian men and French women combinations. Explosive!

Made a holiday out of it this year by combining the Marathon with sightseeing. Istanbul has always had a strong Tango scene. Sometimes I wonder whether cities where "huzun" features so strongly in the DNA of a place creates such fantastic musicality. Do you really have to understand the death and decay in order to move and express yourself? Perhaps? It makes sense then that they hold their own dancing with such pride. If B.A. is the birthplace, then no doubt, Istanbul is its protege. It's fascinating watching the examples of what an advanced community looks like. The fact that there are so many schools, so many people dancing that no one quite knows everyone else makes you realise that in this community, there is no need to travel elsewhere to find new dancers. They're all here. Every night of the week. That being said, it was also highly frustrating wanting to dance but not being able to cabaceo. I really need to work on the eye contact thing and get over how ...

The more I learn things about this dance the more I do find myself getting frustrated. Yes I can move better, yes I can hold my own weight, yes I can do about 99% of moves but can I do it in a way that is beautiful, inspiring, musical, effortless? Likely not. The body is the tool, we receive the energy and direction through the chest, telling us: - Speed - Time - Direction - Force which translates from top to toe. Energy received up top, sends down all the way to the toes and that is why you never look at the feet, because it will tell you nothing. Everything is a movement generated from the chest. Everything. And yet again you hear, disassociate, disassociate, disassociate. Truly, this is the core of it, because if you can't do that, then everything will be reactionary and lag, rather than being complementary and together. Privates with Ariadna & Fernando, truly one of the first great couples that I encountered by hearsay in 2010 and then again with lessons in 2011....

Let's just say Tango Crisis is over. So much, much more balanced. But still have to work on keeping the dang heels together during ochos. Other than that. Here's to a great year of dancing!

I've stated before that finding your voice is a very interesting thing in Tango. As a Follow-Lead, I realise that when I don't know what I'm doing I'll let the follower do her own thing because I don't know any better what signs that I am projecting. Perhaps if I knew more I'd be fighting more to get my own voice heard as a lead? Of course the best tango happens when you're both comfortable enough to convey your own dancing tones, especially as a follower. Where you can subtly influence the dance and the lead is responsive enough to listen to your voice and "allow" you to do that. Unfortunately allow also connotes a hierarchical view of this dance, so perhaps "allow" isn't the word best to describe it. On other notes, appreciating the giro. How many strokes to a circle, infinite or one? How many steps to a molinete, large or small. I still struggle with the idea that they say the size of the step is the same, no, it's not. I ...

Tangoblitz wrapping up this weekend with Alejandra Hobart and Adrian Veredice, good sessions, always refreshing to see the level that professionals get up to. Notes, notes, notes! Parallel vs Cross Systems The L shaped lead-linear - Leader leads on dual track system (to the left and to the right of him) -Follower crosses across this track using a back step, side step and a cross over front ocho-forming L shapes zig-zagging back and forth -Leader strides forward on the beat while follower is on a 1+, 2 beat-option to twist the hip into a front boleo for the follower, leader must change weight with every 1-2 step -Leader starts on right foot and follower on left foot   which is the foot further away-Mirror start=parallel system-sacada happens to the cross over track (guy left, girl right) -Variation is to have leader start on left foot and follower on left foot-non-mirror=cross system-sacada happens on the parallel track (guy right, girl right) The L shaped lead-circu...

Tango word for the year: Smooth

Dang she floats!