Learning Tango

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by JonD

Tango West do a nice milonga called La Ventana; the next one is Saturday 27th January. If I remember correctly they are keen on traditional music so I doubt you'll get much Tanghetto or Gotan but it's a nice hall and the natives were friendly on the one occasion I've been. How about having an LTFG there?

At least of two of us (Jivecat and myself) will be at Funky Lush that night, and there will be some modern tango music, hopefully there will be some tango leaders!

Originally Posted by Gav

Maybe a more informal get together at Storm II in March or Chill in April?

I got very frustrated when I tried to dance AT at Storm last year, any time I did hear a tango track, I couldn't see any tango leads. Southport is good because they actually have a 'mini milonga' - an hour or so of AT music - its a great introduction to social AT dancing as its still within the comfort zone of dancing with fellow MJers. If there are enough of us at Storm we could try to arrange a time or a method of identifying one another!

Originally Posted by Gav

You never know, I might be even able to walk by then.

Naw, you've got another 9 years, 9 months and 2 weeks to go...

[Gav]

Originally Posted by Lynn

I got very frustrated when I tried to dance AT at Storm last year, any time I did hear a tango track, I couldn't see any tango leads. Southport is good because they actually have a 'mini milonga' - an hour or so of AT music - its a great introduction to social AT dancing as its still within the comfort zone of dancing with fellow MJers. If there are enough of us at Storm we could try to arrange a time or a method of identifying one another!

Naw, you've got another 9 years, 9 months and 2 weeks to go...

That's easy, we all have kids or know people with kids, so somewhere must be a kids badge making kit. Make yourself a nice bright "TANGO" badge and wear it at all times. Or maybe DJ could ask the organisers if we can have different coloured wristbands?

Sigh, it didn't take me that long to learn to walk first time around!

[MartinHarper]

So, the first hour of my "learn Tango Argentino in six hours, because it's that easy" taught me two "moves", thus demonstrating that it is approximately 100% harder than Ceroc.

There was a short introduction to walking ("put your feet together between each step. Try not to fall over"). There was also some discussion of Tango theory ("each move has a beginning, a middle, and an end"). Plus we discussed differing Tango styles ("there's authentic Argentine Tango, and flashy Argentine Tango. We teach the flashy version").

Move one: slow - slow - slow - quick - cross - slow - slow - slow.
Move two: slow - slow - slow - slow - slow - slow - ocho - ocho - ocho - pause - quick - quick - slow.

We danced to a selection of Tango stuff, including some of those oh-so-overplayed tracks I hear at Ceroc venues.

So far I'm buying the teacher's assurances that Tango is a simple dance.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

Plus we discussed differing Tango styles ("there's authentic Argentine Tango, and flashy Argentine Tango. We teach the flashy version").

That wouldn't exactly inspire me with confidence. Why would you need a flashy version?

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

Move one: slow - slow - slow - quick - cross - slow - slow - slow.

That'll be the famous 'Basic 8' that many teachers start with. Can be either 'get 'em moving so they think they're dancing AT' or 'teach 'em technique without them realising'. Preferably the latter.

[MartinHarper]

Originally Posted by Lynn

That wouldn't exactly inspire me with confidence. Why would you need a flashy version?

My guess is that flash means ochos and leg flicky stuff. Given that one of my motives for taking the course is to put some context around the mangled versions of ochos I've occasionally been taught in other dances, I'm happy enough so far.

Originally Posted by Lynn

That'll be the famous 'Basic 8' that many teachers start with. Can be either 'get 'em moving so they think they're dancing AT' or 'teach 'em technique without them realising'. Preferably the latter.

Ya. He named it as a "Salida", though at the time it wasn't clear whether that was the move, or a fancy name for "the bit in the middle of the move". So this then:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...06803445474892

Unlike the video, we didn't have a pause after the cross, and (unless I'm misremembering) the guys crossed too. Also, it was danced in a more open hold. Reminiscent of the Ceroc/Tango half-breeds I've seen taught.

The crowd there come from the ballroom perspective where you build up a set routine, and dance that routine, rather than the leader arbitrarilly choosing moves, and we're following the same approach here. The plus side is that many of them are experienced dancers, even if they've not danced AT before now, so they come with decent balance, and are mostly looking for the differences from dances they know, rather than starting from scratch.

[JonD]

I just found this You Tube clip and had to post it right away! Sorry if it should be on another thread.

Korey & Mila. Lovely people and lovely dancers. I've known Korey Ireland for a few years and it's just beautiful that he's met Mila and they've fallen so deeply in love with each other; they're a wonderful couple. He's from Kansas and she's from Moscow and they now travel and teach AT. They're in the UK every now and then and are well worth catching if you get the chance.

Korey wrote the music they're dancing to; he's a talented guy!

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

The crowd there come from the ballroom perspective where you build up a set routine, and dance that routine, rather than the leader arbitrarilly choosing moves, and we're following the same approach here. The plus side is that many of them are experienced dancers, even if they've not danced AT before now, so they come with decent balance, and are mostly looking for the differences from dances they know, rather than starting from scratch.

Then they will probably move a little faster than with a class of people of no dance experience, and will likely focus on figures rather than technique (ie teach you moves rather than 20 mins of just doing pivots). If you're wanting to add some tangoy moves into your MJ, then this will probably be useful. If you really get hooked on AT then you can go and look for more technique rich classes to build your technique.

Some teachers use the figures to bring in technique via a layering method - going over the same figures mostly, but working on, eg pivots in the ochos one week, leading the cross the next week etc. (I had suspected our local teacher did this, and had this confirmed by something she said recently.)

[jivecat]

Originally Posted by Lynn

If there are enough of us at Storm we could try to arrange a time or a method of identifying one another!

Oh, are we all going to Storm? Things are looking up.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

Plus we discussed differing Tango styles ("there's authentic Argentine Tango, and flashy Argentine Tango. We teach the flashy version").

That's an unusual way of putting it - I wonder what that means, exactly? I presume it's something to do with moves rather than walking.

It's also interesting that you're being taught changes of tempo at this point - maybe that ties in with the "ballroom" crowd thing.

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

So far I'm buying the teacher's assurances that Tango is a simple dance.

Actually, it is a simple dance, in terms of the patterns and so on. But remember that "simple" does not equal "easy"...

[CeeCee]

Come Celebrate

This thread is One Year Old tomorrow.

Well done Lynn for starting it and JonD's first line is prophetic.

Short notice or location shouldn’t stop us marking the occasion. We can emulate the Millennium celebrations and hold our own events in our own cities. Let's report and share here on our cyber community.

Why not post photographs of your virtual fireworks display, celebrity guests and star entertainers.

I’m definitely going to be at the Dome in Tufnell Park tomorrow night because the amazing Gonzalo and Solange will be teaching there so wild horses…
The fact that the naissance of this thread coincides with their return to London is just a happy bonus.

[CeeCee]

while preparations for tomorrow's celebrations are underway, here's an update.

What No Moves!

Friday 5th January 2007
The Negracha Tango Club, 4 Wild Court, Holborn, London
General Level Class – 7.30 – 9.00

One and a half hours, no moves, no steps, no routines, so what did we do?

I think, I think, I stumbled across a psychology of dance class. I know these were popular on weekenders last year but I chose not to go because I know my limitations and this isn't my scene.

Fifteen men and eighteen women in a circle listened to the teacher for ten minutes! Wow, this woman can talk, I suspect she is an international record holder.

She talked and we listened. “Think about your feelings, impressions, experiences and emotions. Find one word to describe how you feel now. Share with the group.” Ouch! I headed towards the door, Hipsters beckoned and I wasn’t comfortable with this new-age-hippy-inward-searching-group-sharing stuff. Not many trees in Holborn or she might have taken us out to hug one. (Good grief.)

She talked and we listened. “Lower your gaze, relax the neck, shoulders, arms…” trying to find ourselves in a trance like, meditative state. (Ohm… breathe... ohm…)

She talked and we listened. She wanted us to dance then share our feelings with the group, change partners then dance and share emotions again. Feedback was limited. (Heaven preserve us.)

She talked and we listened. We tried to be aware of our emotions, whether nervous or confident, happy or sad. We tried to take this definitive emotion to our dance and use it to become more grounded in our connection with our partner and see if the feeling changed during the dance. (Oh for goodness sake.)

She talked and we listened. “Find one word to describe your dance, share with the group.” (Give me strength.)

She talked and we listened. Tango is about being in tune with your partner’s emotions. Be aware of your partner’s emotions. (Can’t argue with that one.)

She talked and we listened. Change of music, wander around the room, without a partner, feel the music, where would it take us? Relax and enjoy walking, skipping, sliding, bending, stretching, swaying, whatever. I had unpleasant flashbacks to dreadful drama classes at school, I really hated drama, I was never comfortable with pretending to be a tree or a teapot, yuk. On Friday I wasn’t the only one who chose the option to sit and watch. (Do me a favour.)

She talked and we weren't all listening. Not sure what made me stay, challenging my comfort zone I guess. I’m not sure what I thought of the lesson really but I’ve never looked at my watch so many times in one class before.

Anyway thank goodness for Hipsters and the chance to regain my sanity.

In Complete Contrast

Monday 8th January 2007
Zero Hour, The Dome, Tufnell Park, London
Technique Class 7.30-8.30
Kicca and Gonzalo (yes the wonderful Gonzalo and Solange are back in town)

Walk
Just walk
Don’t dance
Just walk slowly
Walk very very slowly
Walk much slower if you can
See if you can walk slower than that
Walk much much much much ... s..l..o..w..e..r

We talked about heels, we talked about feet. Gonzalo really (really) likes shoes and feet.

T’was a great class.


The slow walking emotional journey continues…

[Gav]

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

Ya. He named it as a "Salida", though at the time it wasn't clear whether that was the move, or a fancy name for "the bit in the middle of the move". So this then:
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...06803445474892

Ahhh, during the practica on Friday, when the teacher (Fran) dragged me up to walk/dance, she got me doing what she called a 'box-step', which was the same as that clip, but without the cross and the next forward step, just sidestepping right to finish. Really nice actually that she was still teaching me during the pratica. Like having a private lesson again.

Originally Posted by JonD

Korey & Mila. Lovely people and lovely dancers. I've known Korey Ireland for a few years and it's just beautiful that he's met Mila and they've fallen so deeply in love with each other

What a great surname Korey's got, must be in the blood.

Originally Posted by CeeCee

I think, I think, I stumbled across a psychology of dance class. I know these were popular on weekenders last year but I chose not to go because I know my limitations and this isn't my scene.

Eurgh. I did one of them at Bliss in September. Not my scene at all. First reaction was what a load of cr@p. Then they got me thinking about stuff I'd buried very deep and almost ruined the rest of the weekend for me.
Won't be going to one of them again!

[philsmove]

Originally Posted by CeeCee

One and a half hours, no moves, no steps, no routines, so what did we do?

I went to one of these, I wonder if it was the same lady

Not only did she talk, she had talked over a ghetto blaster, so it was impossible to hear what she was saying

I tried to sneak out’ but got spotted and was not allowed to leave until I had paid

[Gav]

Ceroc in Beccles

Yes, that's right Ceroc and I know this is the wrong thread but bear with me, it's relevant.

Now I know I've ruined my local MJ dancing experience by travelling around and seeing that there are much higher levels of dancer, but last night I didn't even want to go at all.
I got ready and sat sulking, thinking "bloody ceroc, I wish it was AT".
I didn't dance a lot (I don't seem to get asked anymore ), instead I spent all my time telling everyone how great AT is and explaining when and where it's held.
Entirely selfish on my part because if there was at least 1 person there who could Tango, I'd be pestering the DJ to play a suitable song so I could practice at Ceroc!

I know I haven't reached the end of my journey with MJ, far from it, but this new journey with AT is proving a little distracting.

[JonD]

Originally Posted by Gav

I know I haven't reached the end of my journey with MJ, far from it, but this new journey with AT is proving a little distracting.

I recognise those symptoms; don't worry, it'll pass! I went through a phase of getting really frustrated with MJ and feeling that I'd completely stopped improving. I've rediscovered my love of the dance though - it's a real "party" where I can just go for it and play without too much thought. If I'm being particularly sad then I'll try and incorporate something I'm trying to perfect in AT into my MJ dancing. For example, when I step back in MJ, say in the turnout for a first move, I tend to lay my left foot on it's side. That looks ugly in AT so I'm trying to place my foot vertically upright on the toe; it's more difficult that it sounds!

I am a bit worried about myself though. Last night I vacuumed and mopped the bathroom, stairs and hall instead of going to Jive. (There's a group of us at work who have decided to lose a bit of weight so I haven't eaten chocolate for 48 hours and I think my body is trying to reject me as a result - perhaps that's the reason for me making strange decisions!)

Originally Posted by Philsmove

I went to one of these, I wonder if it was the same lady

Biljana, by any chance?

[CeeCee]

Originally Posted by CeeCee

Kicca and Gonzalo (yes the wonderful Gonzalo and Solange are back in town)

A reliable source informs me that my links may not have been entirely clear. So in case you missed them, I shall draw your attention to:-
this post and this other post.

Don't know about Bliss, Oxford or ghetto blasters but JonD is spot on. I've discovered that the talker's name is Biljana Lipic and she has quite a history, writing shows and setting up venues, however, the blurb about her makes no mention of the trials and tribulations I had to endure last week.



Crikey Lynn, you must be a genius. How did you get:-

Originally Posted by Lynn

That'll be the famous 'Basic 8' that many teachers start with.

from

Originally Posted by MartinHarper

Move one: slow - slow - slow - quick - cross - slow - slow - slow.

I didn't see it at all, do I need to learn morse code or something?

Originally Posted by Gav

I got ready and sat sulking, thinking "bloody ceroc, I wish it was AT".

Sorry to hear that. Luckily learning Tango has only succeeded in enhancing my love and appreciation of our MJ. I welcome it and enjoy it much more. The intensity of AT helps me to value the freedom and relaxation of MJ.