Re: [TANGO-L] deepening tango

[Michael <tangomaniac @CAVTEL.NET>]

I returned today, exhausted, from the New York Tango Festival. As usual, my
favorite class was Virginia Kelly's interactive tango, where the woman
learns to play with the man. Alternating the rhythm is just like playing
with the man in that woman is suggesting something different.

To play, the woman has to understand something about leading so she can
communicate to the man "Hey!! Wait a minute. I want to do something." The
best example I can think of is the woman wants to sweep the man's foot after
her foot has been swept. Because they know nothing about leading, they try
to shove the man's foot in the opposite direction. Well, if it doesn't work
when the man pushes the woman's foot because he doesn't know how to lead,
it's not going to work when the woman shoves the man foot in the opposite
direction.

The follower has to learn to apply slight pressure to the man's frame that
means "Wait." This is no different if the woman saw an imminent collision
and pressed on the man's frame to stop.

Also, the man has to be open the suggestion from the woman to relinquish the
lead. She is only "borrowing" it. To some extent this is not different when
the man leads a boleo. He has to wait for the woman to finish the pivot or
she will lose her balance.

To change the rhythm in a molinete, the woman can accelerate her movements
but must make sure the man follows her around by leading him with her frame.
However, both partners must be relaxed for interleading to happen. Tense
partners cannot deliver or receive clear leads.

Daniel Trenner said at Tango Locura in Montreal in 1999, there is no
security in tango. Absolutely right!!

Michael Ditkoff
Washington, DC
Still thinking of dancing on the high seas of New York harbor
  on the Staten Island Ferry.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Trini or Sean - PATangoS" <patangos  @YAHOO.COM>
To: <TANGO-L  @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2005 6:28 PM
Subject: Re: [TANGO-L] deepening tango


> --- Michael at Tango Bellingham
> <michaele  @TANGOBELLINGHAM.COM> wrote:
> >
> > So how do we teach this to followers?
>
> Teach how to connect and to not be afraid of
> connecting.  Again, many people do not learn this.
> Perhaps because that is not what they want from tango
> or they do not realize the level of possibilities.
>

> Guys, be vocal about how good it feels to dance with a
> woman who is expressive, regardless of her technical
> ability
> A few suggestions that could just as easily apply to
> men.
>
>
> Good artistry to all,
> Trini de Pittsburgh