Let me put a plug in for my instructor in Buenos Aires, Sra. Paula Ferrio, who is now up on the ‘web.
Archive for April, 2008
A plug
Posted in Reaction on April 28, 2008| Leave a Comment »
More milonga …
Posted in milonga on April 24, 2008| Leave a Comment »
More milonga variations from Carina:
Sidestep (l), (r) forward and back in double time before the next figure.
Sidestep left with left, then placing the right forward past (l); and drawing the right back; forming a cross. Then the left brought from behind to the right, then the left back, forming a cross … and stepping out.
Stepping left with left, right forward, collecting; pivoting back on the right before completing the “box.”
Doing the “middle”steps of any milonga variation in double time but stepping out 4-5-6 in normal tempo.
STEP TOGETHER. COLLECT. STEP TOGETHER. COLLECT.
Practice the practice “zigzag” walks; alternating R. or L. The “walking secada” as well. Stomping the first beat helps establish the start of the next figure. STEP TOGETHER.
Cool figure
Posted in Notes on April 22, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Picture the follow taken to a back ocho, and sandwiched. Then with a small degree of intention — but not enough to put your weight forward — cause her to form something like a mini volcada. (You must take care to block her with your right arm from stepping to her left across your right.)
Give her time to settle and walk out.
Also work today with Carina in a salida involving something like a molineta around the follow which resolves with the follow in the cross.
No way!…. Way!
Posted in Observations on April 22, 2008| Leave a Comment »
A Catholic sister I encounter at Meze expresses disbelief that anything from John Michael Talbot’s worship music is tango-able. Here it is, from the CD “Monk Rock.”
Track 4: Kyrie (the Kyrie Elieson, or “Lord, have mercy”) – tango
Track 10: Sanctus – for Vals.
Track 8, The “Jesus Prayer Swing” is in fact, swing music, which while enjoyable to listen to, is lost on me insofar as dance goes. I’m having trouble (and fun) enough with tango without straying afield.
Otros Besos
Posted in Observations on April 19, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Great experience at Otros Besos. A friendly place for social dance with friends, and a great chance to chat with a very skilled leader who has been dancing forever. We commiserated about how easy it is to see something in your head, and even dance it yourself; but leading someone into it is another matter.
More milonga
Posted in milonga on April 17, 2008| Leave a Comment »
Simple variations: Side step left with the left being the line of dance; before leading back in a zig-zag pattern; resolving with a box step. Remember to collect and pivot to make the figure mas limpia. A variation in the six count: bringing the left forward across the midline, a brief “walking” secada, bring the right along to collect, then the left out again. More work this p.m. on the devilishly difficult reverse cross – easy for the man to do, but hard to lead the follow into.
Naughty or nice…?
Posted in Observations on April 15, 2008| Leave a Comment »
This evening at Meze I had occasion to dance with an experienced follow .. one of those who throw adornos out right and left before they register on your brain, all within the space of a few beats. She offered this observation from Daniel Tremer, the man responsible to a great degree for the resurgence of interest in tango dancing in the U.S.:
There are three kinds of follows…. the passive, the active …. and the naughty.
The Salida of the ’40s…
Posted in Notes on April 9, 2008| Leave a Comment »
In close embrace, side stepping to the left …. rotate the follow to your left a full ninety degrees, with a tiny pause, and back her into a small back step..tiny pause…. When you feel her touch down, lead back with your right forward, taking her into a cross and walking out.
Altas
Posted in Notes on April 7, 2008| Leave a Comment »
A long time ago I had a class in doing a simple alta… I was paired with a follow who (how to say this ..discretely..?) out massed me. Anyway I’ve actually had a chance to make this work a few times in the context of a social dance. Not that I don’t suck at other moves, yet… But this is low cost drama if you can make it work. Make sure to slide the hooking foot rather than step so you don’t step on her by accident (which I didn’t do…). And be bold about it.
Ορθοδοχ τανγερα
Posted in Observations on April 7, 2008| Leave a Comment »
I wind up meeting yet another believing tanguera. The future seems brighter for believers, who can in fact dance.*
*If they take lessons.
Observations and Reactions 