Tango highs and lows

[Lynn]

Been thinking about this with reference to personal experience and some comments on threads and PMs recently. Tango can be inspiring, uplifting and leave us feeling wonderful. Or we can feel frustated, upset or even angry (with ourselves). Its all part of the passion of the dance and its a good thing - even the lows are because we care.

We spend time in the Learning Tango thread talking about technical points and reviews of classes we have been to. I thought it might be good to have a space to vent our feelings, frustrations and those wonderful highs when we know its all worth it. I have found it so helpful to hear about others experiences, to get a glimpse of what I can aspire to, and also to know that I'm not the only one getting frustrated or upset.

Feel free to wax lyrical about wonderful experiences, or to get lost for words to describe how you feel - we will understand.

Feel free to rant, sob or despair - we will understand.

[KatieR]

I am at a point now where I can dance tango at Milongas and actually follow quite well.

it is such an amazing feeling to be able to dance a full set and not feel completely lost. it is such a satisfying feeling and is such an accomplishment for me.

I still have moments where i get angry with myself but I LOVE the fact that I can now dance Tango, Tango Vals, and Tango Milonga. Milonga I have to say is awesome fun!

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by KatieR

I am at a point now where I can dance tango at Milongas and actually follow quite well.

it is such an amazing feeling to be able to dance a full set and not feel completely lost. it is such a satisfying feeling and is such an accomplishment for me.

I wish I was but I'm not there yet. I had a lovely gentle introduction at Southport dancing with MJers who could tango and who were very patient with my less than satisfactory following skills.

I'm planning on doing more practice, whenever, wherever, however, with whoever I can.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by KatieR

I am at a point now where I can dance tango at Milongas and actually follow quite well.

You can? Bloody hell, I'm officially impressed.

I certainly can't lead well - or for that matter, even competently. I firmly expect to be in the beginner camp for several years yet.

As for highs and lows - definitely, much more so than other dances. I've stormed out of 2 Milongas now, swearing never to do that stupid blasted dance ever again, and just knowing I'd never get it. The only things that keep me going are a combination of total stubborn bloody-mindedness, the knowledge that others have mastered it so I can too, and of course the support of the Forum and friends.

I know, I sound like a luvvy, but I have immense respect for anyone with the strength of character to go it alone. I certainly wouldn't have kept at it without the likes of Clive and CeeCee

So why do it? Because, when it does occasionally come together, it's really really good. And you can feel it when something clicks - and it's a great feeling. And if you can dance AT to a high level, I very much doubt that you can be taught much about lead /follow / connection technique.

[KatieR]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

You can? Bloody hell, I'm officially impressed.

I certainly can't lead well - or for that matter, even competently. I firmly expect to be in the beginner camp for several years yet.

.

Milonga is great fun, You really have just let go and follow. I imagine leading must be so much harder though. You dont have time to think in Milonga especially when it gets fast and keep your steps small. Dont try lots of fancy patterns, just stick with really simple steps, you will have it in no time.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

The only things that keep me going are a combination of total stubborn bloody-mindedness, the knowledge that others have mastered it so I can too, and of course the support of the Forum and friends.

For me these threads on the forum have been a lifeline. I haven't had anyone here in NI to really encourage me or even to talk about tango with and its been very frustrating. Being able to discuss things on these threads and wonderful supportive PMs from JonD and CeeCee have been very helpful. And knowing I'm not alone in these experiences.

I think that was why Southport was so good for me as I felt comfortable dancing with people who had shared on here and it gave me the courage to try to dance. And it gave me a glimpse of why -

Originally Posted by DavidJames

So why do it? Because, when it does occasionally come together, it's really really good. And you can feel it when something clicks - and it's a great feeling.

My current frustration is mainly the lack of any opportunity to actually practice but the good experience at Southport and encouragement from you lot has given me the motivation to change that, somehow, and create the opportunities I need.

(I will probably end up even more frustrated at times during this process so don't be surprised to see me return for a virtual if I do.)

[philsmove]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

...
I know, I sound like a luvvy, .

..
Not at all

[JonD]

It is a bit of a roller-coaster isn't it! I felt really heavy and down as I walked back from the class on Tuesday; almost as if I'd failed at something. I felt really good about the lesson with Ivan at Southport and my dancing both at Southport (AT - my MJ was a bit stilted) and at South Zeal the week before. On Tuesday I got the chance to dance with a truly skilled follower and I suddenly realised how little I know and how poor many of my key skills are - it felt almost like those early milongas when I could do nothing and felt totally inadequate. During yesterday I had a chance to think about it a bit more and I started to feel inspired and challenged. Rather than feeling that dancing with Gisela had shown me how bad I am it became more like she'd opened a door to the things I need to work on. As a result I felt very positive and enthused. (Until, that is, I started to muck out my bathroom but the less said about that the better)!

It's great to be able to come home from dancing, sit down and tell you lot that I've been dancing like a constipated penguin or that I feel on top of the world. Somehow it gives AT more of a context and it also allows me to express my enthusiasm to fellow addicts rather than bore work colleagues, family or complete strangers!

Dancing milonga is fun! I don't have much vocabulary but I spend my time trying to make my partner laugh or playing a game to see if I can catch her out.

[Lynn]

Tango low.

Inspiration and motivation brought crashing down. Hope dwindling. Possibilities turning into slamming doors.

Perhaps my tango journey never really had a chance.

[Clive Long]

We are keen.

We are impatient.

We want to be good. We know we can be good.

We feel we are dancing in wellington boots with our shoe laces tied together.

So why do we persist?

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Clive Long

So why do we persist?

Because...

Originally Posted by Clive Long

We want to be good. We know we can be good.

(Or in my case, at least better...eventually...)

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Lynn

Tango low.

Inspiration and motivation brought crashing down. Hope dwindling. Possibilities turning into slamming doors.

Perhaps my tango journey never really had a chance.

Tango support...

Encouragement of others lifts the gloom. Supportive words really do make a difference. I stumble and am lifted. I am not alone in my journey.

Thank you.

My journey has obstacles not an ending. Slowly, I continue.

[CeeCee]

Oooh, how exciting a thread devoted to the written expression of our intoxicating passion.
Well done Lynn, a concentrated emotional outlet sounds good to me.
My mind overflows with imagery when I dance, any dance, so if we’re sharing feelings and emotions, bring it on. This is Tango, somebody stop me…

Milongas
Who says that we should go to milongas?
What if we're not ready?
If going increases your self-esteem, then go.
If the experience diminishes your confidence, then don’t.

Imagery
To me, a jive freestyle is like being at a fun fair, so many rides to enjoy, sharing the thrill and excitement with other people. What did JonD say about a roller coaster? We can swap rides enjoying the fun without affecting others, screaming, laughing and shouting if we wish.

Imagery
A Tango milonga is more akin to attending an opera. One conforms to convention, rules are learned and accepted by those who take part. It takes time to learn about operatic styles, arias, librettos, scores, composers, orchestras, historical, legendary and mythological references. Appreciation doesn’t happen overnight. Indeed it is a particular skill to spend in excess of three hours sitting through a performance of singing in any foreign language.

Imagery
Remembering our LTFG at the Dome’s Wednesday milonga, I felt like we were little cars sharing a race-track with high performance vehicles.
They were fast, efficient, sleek and smooth, advancing on us at a pace.
We didn’t have their specifications.
We didn’t have the skill.
We were in their way.

I'll travel where I'm comfortable, if I'm unhappy on the motorway I'll take another route. For now, what about a nice little country lane?
Frustrations are caused by unfulfilled expectations. My expectations need to be realistic.
As proficient jivers our Tango journey has to be approached from a different perspective.
We are but humble beginners again.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by CeeCee

Milongas
Who says that we should go to milongas?
What if we're not ready?
If going increases your self-esteem, then go.
If the experience diminishes your confidence, then don’t.

I'm not ready to dance at a milonga. But I think I could be inspired by going to watch. And better surely to attend a few where the intention is to soak up the atmosphere and not worry too much about dancing, before attempting to dance at one?

Little did I know when I started this thread of the highs and lows I would experience this week, without even dancing a step. Motivation and action - discouragement and disappointment - support and encouragement - more disappointment - more action - moving in the right direction. Not giving up even when things seemed against me, just made me try even harder.

Why do I care so much about this? I'm usually a fairly logical, rational person. I'm usually well in control of my feelings. But in tango, if we hold on to our feelings too much, if we try to maintain that control, our experience is lessened. We need to feel to dance. Tango unlocks something within me, it has a key to my heart, it demands more, expects more, but also gives more and fulfils more.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Lynn

I'm not ready to dance at a milonga. But I think I could be inspired by going to watch. And better surely to attend a few where the intention is to soak up the atmosphere and not worry too much about dancing, before attempting to dance at one?

I dunno - I'm not the type to get inspired, I get (more) grouchy and depressed. I know, I've got a mean spirit...

Originally Posted by Lynn

Why do I care so much about this? I'm usually a fairly logical, rational person. I'm usually well in control of my feelings. But in tango, if we hold on to our feelings too much, if we try to maintain that control, our experience is lessened. We need to feel to dance. Tango unlocks something within me, it has a key to my heart, it demands more, expects more, but also gives more and fulfils more.

Lovely - and true. I've been partner dancing for a loong time, I thought I could handle learning a new dance style without stressing about it. Hah.

I don't know anyone who's serious about AT, who hasn't had Tango crises. KG, a Tango Dance God, still has them. I think it just comes with the territory.

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by DavidJames

I dunno - I'm not the type to get inspired, I get (more) grouchy and depressed.

I might do as well. Haven't ventured to a milonga yet (there has been only 1 in NI I could go have gone to anyway). But I'm more than happy to stick with practicas for now really, as this is only the first steps on a long journey.

Originally Posted by DavidJames

I don't know anyone who's serious about AT, who hasn't had Tango crises. KG, a Tango Dance God, still has them. I think it just comes with the territory.

Hence this thread.

I have been upset by things this week, partly because I care about tango and partly because I spent 2 years with a similiar situation in MJ and feel a bit 'not again'. The most helpful comment I got was about these obstacles being part of what was shaping my journey.

I learned several things. That I care enough to put the effort in, to not give up, to be proactive and perservere. That when I do get discouraged by negative feedback and relative apathy from others (which I have got this week from some people I had hoped would work with me) that this will be countered by positive encouragement from the LTFG. That each time something has knocked me down, I've paused, sought and received support, and continued. That sometimes difficult things are worth trying that bit harder to achieve.

[CeeCee]

Tonight’s Tango High

I'm too excited to sleep

Tango Por Dos
Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London, WC1
19.30-22.00

The show was amazing, some parts simply magnificent, the dancers worked hard and were mostly fast and energetic. Where were the slow dances though? Even so, it was tango we could recognise, tango we could identify with and tango we could aspire to. (Well perhaps not the sheer volume of kicks, flicks, jumps and lifts.)

I would have enjoyed it even more if I could just become a fan of the bandoneon but sadly the sound of it still sets my teeth on edge sometimes. A little (or a lot) more Nuevo Tango would have been the icing on the cake.

In one of the best scenes LMC and I noticed that the chaps in black suits and black t-shirts, wore different coloured shoes, red, blue, green and… mustard(?) How comes the boys didn’t see this? Nothing to do with the way the girls on stage were dressed at the time, surely!

The show is definitely worth seeing and thanks to Clive, our tango events organiser, for booking super seats right at the front of the stalls. It was great to be close enought to see the many glorious costumes so well.

Hopefully, DJ, CL and LMC will post their impressions of the show too. Thanks for your company tonight guys, you were great fun.

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by CeeCee

{ Snip colourful review }

It was very nice indeed.

The first half was "strictly AT" - focus on individual couples; the laydeez in gorgeous dresses and the gents in suits. Lovely action, and very recognisable as (very very fast) versions of the steps we all know, but of course done with style and verve. And very fast - did I mention that they were fast?

The music for the first half was traditional AT - not a drum to be heard. It got on my nerves after a while too.

The second half was more modern - a variety of costumes (some of which, frankly, didn't do much for me), and a variety of themes - more of a story-telling element to it. The music was much more to my liking, but ironically, the dancing wasn't (can't have everything ).

However, there were two absolutely stomping performances in the second half; both times, involving pretty much the whole group. One half way through, and the finale piece.

Downsides: it was a lot of tango - if you don't love tango, don't go. There was very little attempt at a storyline, or anything to distract you from the dancing. Which is a good thing of course - but maybe not if you're just looking for a general night out.

I also agree with CeeCee about the pace - some more slow dances would have been nice, but I guess performance AT is fast, that's all there is to it.