Figures or no figures, that is the question

 

Let's face it, the great majority of those who want to learn to dance tango are inspired by what they see on their TVs or computer screens. They see a spectacular performance by a beautiful, often young, couple oozing with passion. They are attracted by a visual and they project emotions onto it. Yet, they know nothing of the true emotions felt by tango dancers because they are seeing a performance, a show.

Then they sign up for tango classes and demand to learn what they saw. Too many tango instructors are eager to offer that to their clientele by teaching them the figures for which they know, or should know, that the students are not capable of executing. The students get frustrated and often leave unsatisfied, mostly with themselves, for not being able to learn to dance tango, they think.

But did they study tango or sequences some would call "tango figures"?

 

I lead a praktika (argentine practice sessions) here in Dubrovnik last evening. I was asked to help dancers practice certain material (figures) taught at a workshop not too long ago by another teacher. I did that with some, as the time permitted, additional technical details needed to execute the said figures. Everyone wanted to dance the figures taught at the workshop since that was what the praktika was supposed to be about and, to my knowledge, few understood why they had hard time with them.

One person, though, stated quite strongly that I should, rather than reviewing another teacher's material, lead or teach my own stuff. If I had done that, I would have, among other things, insisted on practicing walking, keeping balance, pivoting, communicating, listening to the music and dancing it, learning and applying the basic structure of a giro, etc. Maybe out of ignorance, the group wanted to practice the figures and not the technical stuff. Perhaps I should have not acquiesced.

Next time I teach the beginning classes I will not succumb to teaching the figures but will teach elements, techniques, concepts, and ideas that express the feelings, letting the "figures" just happen--or not, but the feelings will be expressed, shared and will persist, which is what tango is about. We dance the Argentine tango not for the spectators but for ourselves.

What is tango?

A friend asked a question some time ago "What is tango?" and I keep thinking about it. Here's what surfaced in my consciousness:

"Tango is a culture captured in poetry, music, dance, dance and socializing events, tango personalities and legends, stories, paintings, theater/TV/radio shows, movies, architecture, climate, food, fashion, almacens, cabarets, dance halls, friendships, courtships, love-making, love-losing, cuisine, sentimiento, language, street noise .... in other words all that makes up life of and around those affected by it. It is almost a self-referencing definition, but it would not be just to take any of those out, and you can probably add some to it. Alas, but you can not really capture it at all since it is a moving target, continuously morfing in multiple directions at once, like wine spilled on the glass-top table, so close yet untouchable and uncontrollable."

Gustavo y Giselle Anne

Yep. There are dancers and teachers and then there are Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne. I can not find words to describe the feeling I get when I see them dance. I sense in their dance a mix of love, fun, beauty, respect, honor and all that added to an incredible technique and innovation they both bring to it. Tango world is better with them in it.

Watch them dance Donato: El Adiós.
  

Fuga y Misterio

Astor Piazzolla. When his name is mentioned in the tango universe, varied responses arise. In my world, he was a genius who brought tango music into the world of the classics. I never tire of listening to the many interpretations of his creations.

Perhaps the most intriguing one is "Fuga y Misterio." Not being versed in the ins and outs of classical music I can not discuss its musical value, but as a feeling person who is moved by tango music, I testify to its never dying inspirational power. I can not sit still when it is played.

Here it is interpreted by "Beltango Symphonico" -- a marriage of Beltango quintet from Belgrade, Serbia and Vojvodina Symphony Orchestra out of Novi Sad, Serbia. It is a beauty.

Fuga y Misterio

Done with Facebook

Since a few years ago until a week or so ago I had been using Facebook as one of the ways to keep in touch with the world out there. I was able and willing to wade through a lot of FB junk to get what I wanted and to say a few words of my own as well. However, the fact that I did use FB has negatively impacted my private life in ways I do not wish to share. So, I decided to quit Facebook -- and I do not miss it.

I am convinced that I will be able to keep in touch with my true friends (not 650+ FB friends) in other, more direct ways. And I will limit my Internet writing to my weblogs. Look out! Life is more peaceful this way.

eternal music

Some time ago I met two wonderful elders, parents of a good friend. Knowing they like tango, I made a CD with some of my favs and gave it to them.

My friend's father passed on today and I am listening to the music that I imagine he listened to as well. I play it and listen to it in his honor and good memory - he's done good.

Lagrimas y sonrisas, Rodolfo Biagi

Melodia De Arrabal, Carlos Gardél

Criolla Linda (Tango), Francisco Lomuto Y Su Orquesta Típica

Milonga con Variaciones, Donato Racciatti

El Adios De Gabino Ezeiza, Nelly Omar

Catamarca (Tango), Francisco Lomuto Y Su Orquesta Típica

La Revoltosa (Tango), Francisco Lomuto Y Su Orquesta Típica

El entrerriano, Donato Racciatti

Desde El Alma, Nelly Omar

Mascarita, Pedro Laurenz

Tristezas de La Calle Corrientes, Miguel Calo - Raúl Berón

Un Crimen, Miguel Calo - Raúl Berón

Toda mi vida, Anibal Troilo

Parque Patricios, Francisco Canaro

Balada Para Un Loco, Roberto Goyeneche,Astor Piazzolla Y Su Quinteto

Ah, there is one more, he loved "Los Ejes De Mi Carreta" 

Dear friend, may your journey be light, may your destination be eternal love!

teaching during a milonga

Most of us are aware of the no-no habit of some of us to teach as the dance goes on during a milonga. I absolutely distaste it and would not do it even if my dance partner asks for it. I am there to dance, not to teach. On top of that, I am aware of the disturbance such behavior may create for other dancers.

Well, this past Saturday, at the milonga I and "team Pavadita" host in Gainesville, i observed a flagrant violation of this code. A man, known to like to be "helpful" to his partner by offering an advice while dancing, stopped right in front of me (I was DJ-ing) for a lengthy period of time (it seemed like forever, but was probably something like 20 seconds) explaining something about a giro. The two stood apart and he was explaining, she was listening, others were either waiting or trying to squeeze by. I was about to intervene as they moved on and I felt relieved since I really did not want to create a scene.

During the same song, I saw them stop at the other end of the floor, apparently involved in the same sort of activity. I decided I, as a host, had to intervene. So, I waited for the end of tanda and for the couple to separate and go back to their seats before I approached our man and told him to please not teach during the dance since it disturbs the flow of traffic. He did not take this well.

An hour or so later, I approached him again while he was at his table, suggesting to him that my intervention was not a personal matter but a matter of a host making sure that the dancers have a comfortable environment to dance in. He continued arguing how I was wrong, etc.....

The whole incident was quite unfortunate, but I feel I have to intervene in the interest of the whole group.