Learning Tango

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by mshedgehog

Hmm, I suppose there's a fairly good chance you danced with me in that one at the Crypt.

Could be - I didn't see any hedgehogs there, but then I wasn't looking very hard for them

I noticed that the Paul & Michiko crowd (the men, at least) seemed to be older than the dancetango lot in general - admittedly, that's just based on one trip to each over the past couple of months.

[mshedgehog]

It's quite random in my experience - there's certainly a core for each but it varies quite a lot from week to week and over longer periods, depending on what's going on. Nikki has a lot more guest teachers, and they're often a draw. Paul and Michiko have them much less often, but they more often have live music. And some of the guests they do have are spectacular. They've been around a long time and know a lot of people.

[Feelingpink]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

...

I noticed that the Paul & Michiko crowd (the men, at least) seemed to be older than the dancetango lot in general - admittedly, that's just based on one trip to each over the past couple of months.

So you felt younger with the P&M crowd, or fitted right in? Going to either again soon? Getting used to Negracha and wondering about other milongas. Also got to put my new CiF shoes into action tonight. Managed to wear them for two lessons before retreating to the trainer-like comfort of regular dance shoes with two-inch heels, but am in total love with them. I can feel the floor with them (almost every splinter), which is weird, but does make you connect with the floor (mainly because the only other option is falling over) and my partner loves how much easier it is to lead me in pivoty things. Still not turning my feet out enough (feel like I'm in a ballet class sometimes). Also found the shoes made me stand up straighter.

[Lory]

Originally Posted by Feelingpink

Also got to put my new CiF shoes into action tonight.

What does CiF stand for please?

[Feelingpink]

Comme il Faut - it's a DJ 'special' abbreviation.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Feelingpink

So you felt younger with the P&M crowd, or fitted right in?

Amazingly, I felt young

Originally Posted by Feelingpink

Going to either again soon?

Probably, maybe towards the end of March - we should have another LTG after Easter...

Originally Posted by Feelingpink

Comme il Faut - it's a DJ 'special' abbreviation.

Actually, I think it's a standard abbreviation, I've seen it used by others.

Lory, the Southgate Tango place has a lot of CiF shoes on sale, if you're interested - also, Bianca flogs some shoes at her venue.

[Feelingpink]

Well, at the end of March, there's Otros Aires in Clapham; going to book tickets this week. Unfortunately, when I tried to pronounce the group's name last night, I said something very interesting in Spanish apparently, so have retreated to calling it 'that group'. It's website has details.

[Caro]

I may be back at tango... (it's been a while)
Especially given that in London I'll get access to loads of classes and events, hopefully.

Anyway, I have decided against all odds to (momentarily) give up on high heel shoes. From now on and until I've sorted balance and weight distribution issues properly, it'll be greek sandals. Tango in greek sandals... I know that makes me want to cry too...
But I've decided it's for the Greater Good.

Anybody else done that to work on similar issues ? Did that work ? How was it to get back to high heels ?

[mshedgehog]

Originally Posted by Caro

Anyway, I have decided against all odds to (momentarily) give up on high heel shoes. From now on and until I've sorted balance and weight distribution issues properly, it'll be greek sandals ...
Anybody else done that to work on similar issues ? Did that work ? How was it to get back to high heels ?

I think you're doing the right thing but might want an in-between shoe. For my first four months I learned in same shoes I wore to work, which were Clarks, smooth-soled, with a t-bar and about a 5cm heel. Of course my balance wasn't good enough for tango even in them, so I also practiced on the way to and from work by standing on one leg with my back straight and my heels together all the time when waiting for trains, in queues, at bus stops, and whatnot. And putting my feet in front of each other in a straight line when walking anywhere (it looks great). When you can do it all on a moving train you know you are making progress. I also walked up and down all stairs and escalators without ever looking at my feet, but don't try that in rush hour just yet if you can't do it already.

Obviously all those exercises would work just as well for men.

When I graduated to the improvers class I bought my first pair of proper dancing shoes - Werner Kerns with a 7.5cm heel (billed as 6.5 on the website). I wobbled atrociously for the first lesson, and then I was all right. So once your brain has worked out how to do the balancing thing, you can then move up much more easily - at least, it worked for me.

I wouldn't bother trying to do it the other way round. You really, really, need your balance. Get that, and the heel thing is not hard.

[Yliander]

Originally Posted by Feelingpink

Comme il Faut - it's a DJ 'special' abbreviation.

Oh my god!!! they are beautiful!!!!

[JCB]

Originally Posted by Caro

Tango in greek sandals...

Originally Posted by mshedgehog

<snip> but might want an in-between shoe.<snip>

I'll add a big , especially if you want to move to dance shoes with heels over 2", and normally wear flats or low heels everyday. While I was horseback-riding regularly, and only occasionally wearing heels, the lengthened tendons behind my ankles played havoc with my (already dodgy, admittedly) balance when I put on my heels, and I frequently got cramps in my instep when dressier footwear was called for. I started wearing medium heels on a daily basis, in place of my flats. Much better. Just some food for thought - V.

[ben632664]

Afternoon All.

I've got my first AT class tonight!!

I'm really looking forward to it although a little aprehensive! Anyone got any advice on the best shoes to wear as a guy? Ive got cuban heels and also flat shoes but I'm not sure what would be best? Any advice??

[Feelingpink]

Something you feel comfortable in? Where are you going for your class?

[ben632664]

It's in Bromley at The Warren MPSC. I don't know of anyone thats been to any of the classes there so I don't know if it's any good?

[Feelingpink]

Afraid I haven't been either, so guess you can give us a review!

[JonD]

Originally Posted by ben632664

Anyone got any advice on the best shoes to wear as a guy?

I wear cubans but that's what I'm used to - I find dancing in flat shoes quite strange these days. The heel tends to put you more on the ball of your foot which is a good thing in AT. If you're not used to them I'd stick with your regular shoes though - you're likely to find balance when moving really slowly enough of an issue without having to adjust to heels as well.

Good luck - I hope it goes well and you enjoy it! I haven't heard of the classes and couldn't see the names of the teachers on the site but I'm sure it'll be OK. Let us know what it's like and how you got on.

[ben632664]

Cheers Jon. I dance alot in cubans so i'll wear them instead of my flats. I'll stick up a post tomorrow and let you all know how it goes

[philsmove]

Chill out to some smooth Tang music an hour before you go

Tango de la Rosa

and get in to Tango Mode



Good luck and enjoy yourself

[ben632664]

Well its the morning after the night before...

Went along, a little aprehensive but really looking forward to trying something different. It was a varied group both in abilities and age levels. Unfortunately they were on week 3 of a 4 week rotation but luckily enough I sort of knew the basic 8 from a cabaret I was in last year. Last night they were teachning forwards and backwards ochos. I picked it up fairly quickly and I have to say the teacher, a female (but i can't remember her name ) was very good! There were about 10 couples and she tried to spend a few minutes with each couple. Stayed for the 10 minutes practice before the intermediate class and then shot off to the Ceroc class 15 minutes up the road!

All in all a very enjoyable lesson and I'll definitely be back next week for some more!!

[Feelingpink]

Great to hear that you've found a class you like - and let us know how the four weeks go.

Last night's classes in Dulwich were fun: mostly off-axis work in the technique & intermediates lessons. We had a random four people join the class, one of whom kept a running commentary when we were in the lesson together about everything I was doing wrong. While I'm always up for improving, the fact that I'd just danced the same steps with another of the newcomers & the teacher & had them both say nice things (& they 'felt' good/as if they worked) made me want to say as much - but didn't, as I figure that I could well be dancing with him in the future & do need to understand where he's coming from. Sometimes, though, it's difficult to keep an open mind.