Tango-L mailing list archive: Digest 31 Mar 1999 to 1 Apr 1999

The Tango-L mailing list archive

Digest from 31 Mar 1999 to 1 Apr 1999

Return-Path: owner-TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU> To: Recipients of TANGO-L digests <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU> Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 03:00:01 -0500 Sender: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU> From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV @MITVMA.MIT.EDU> Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 31 Mar 1999 to 1 Apr 1999

There are 8 messages totalling 403 lines in this issue. Topics of the day: 1. Tango in Moscow 2. If Tangueros where like Greek Drivers (2) 3. easter week-end 4. Tango Nui a Tara: Easter Dance 5. New Video Reviews 6. Hola from Cleveland 7. C.I.T.A. 1999 (long)

Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 02:17:33 PST From: Alexander Vistgof <vistgof @HOTMAIL.COM> Subject: Tango in Moscow HI list, There is a group of people studying tango in Moscow for almost one year. So, if you happen to come to Moscow and feel lonely without Argentine Tango, you are welcome to our classes. Classes held on Fridays 7pm and Sundays 2pm. Address: Volochaevskaya str. 11/15, 3rd floor. For more information/explanations, please call our instructor Valentina - 7095 4209744 or me (Sasha) - 7095 9319723 and 7095 1295468 Cheers, Sasha Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Date: Tue, 23 Mar 1999 20:16:12 -0500 From: Aristotelis Grammatikakis <arigr @HUGO.SMFA.EDU> Subject: If Tangueros where like Greek Drivers Something I came up while having too much free time and too much tango. What if tangueros lead like cab drivers drive in Athens? The would dance at three times the speed of a Milonga, turn at the same speed and navigate by slaloming around other couples. The line of the dance doesn't matter neither does its direction. If it happens that they almost missed hitting another couple, they would extend one of their hands with their open fingers in the greek traditional "moutza", throw it at them angrily and give off a couple of swears in creative greek or turkish. If they bumped into the couple they would stop dancing, curse at them for being in the way then continue dancing. If the other tanguero cursed back, they would leave their partner, go beat up the offending tanguero then go back dancing while still cursing at them. While dancing they would go by the people sitting on the chairs and ask them if they want to dance, although they are at present having three other followers. As for the tanguero, he would have one hand loose holding a cigarette that comes and goes from his mouth often, the other hand relaxed and firm up to the point of getting angry with the other couple that just happend to be in the way. He would turn and face his partner often and discuss the recent political and economical crisis while she is wondering if he paying any attention to the dancefloor, especially after the last two couples that are now left gazing at the ceiling flat on the floor. His costume is a simple blue jean with a white open-chested shirt. Lots of little crosses, beads, Virgin Marys, evil eye medallions, football team initials, political party keychains and other incomprehensible thingies are hanging from all around. He has also brought a tape of heavy duty "dog-house" style popular songs that is planning to replace the Pugliese with in his next pass next to the music system. If the music stops, he will start yelling and complaining for the couple in the front that doesn't move. That is if he does stop. And if the leader is a woman, she will patiently listen to the discussion of being a woman leader for the one thousandth time. At the end of the dance he will try to convince his partner that she really did dance those three tango and one milonga. But seriously they are nice fellows and always offer some excitement in a dull hot Athens day. But I wouldn't know, I am fortunately not from Athens. ;-) A.

Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 12:57:30 -0500 From: Robert Blais <rblais12 @ODYSSEE.NET> Subject: easter week-end This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

=_NextPart_000_01BE7B76.09291FC0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Is there anything going on within a radius of 700km from Montreal this coming week-end? My partner and I would like to go on an exploratory outing in the tango wilderness. Robert Blais P.S. Please, I'm talking outside of Montreal

=_NextPart_000_01BE7B76.09291FC0 Content-Type: text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html><head></head><BODY bgcolor=3D"#FFFFFF"> Is there anything going on = within a radius of 700km from Montreal this coming week-end? My partner = and I would like to go on an exploratory outing in the tango = wilderness. Robert Blais P.S. Please, I'm talking outside = of Montreal </body></html>

=_NextPart_000_01BE7B76.09291FC0--

Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 09:43:48 +1200 From: faera <faera @XTRA.CO.NZ> Subject: Tango Nui a Tara: Easter Dance Robert: I know that this is a bit remote from the hinterlands of Montreal - but just thought to let you and other list members know that Tango things are happening in Wellington New Zealand - If you are in the neighborhood please drop in. >Tango Nui a Tara: Easter Sunday Tango > >Candlelight Tango on a Sweet Dance Floor >8pm-11:30/midnight $5pp/$8per couple >BYO (drinks) and Bring a plate (nibbles) > >Catholic School Hall 40 Taft Street Brooklyn >pleny of off street parking on school playground > >inquiries to Nancy 802-4991 or faera @xtra.co.nz > > >regular TNT dances will be at the above venue: >+ on the first Saturday of the month (next 1 May) >same prices as above >+ plus fortnightly 'Tango only time' salon dances >on Friday evenings 7:30-9:30pm $3pp (next 9 & 23 April) >This is early evening as a compliment to the Latin Dance Party > >inquiries to Nancy 802-4991 or faera @xtra.co.nz > > >

Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 16:56:16 -0600 From: Stephen P Brown <Stephen.P.Brown @DAL.FRB.ORG> Subject: New Video Reviews The three video reviews shown below were added to the Planet Tango website earlier today. <http://www.hooked.net/~tangoman/revu-1.htm> Coming soon: Reviews of three videos by Esther and Pablo Pugliese that were released by Bridge to the Tango in late 1998 and new video by Nito & Elba that was just released by Tango Bar Productions. --Stephen Brown (aka Steve de Tejas) *** Rebecca Shulman (with Daniel Trenner): Technique for Followers In this nearly two-hour video, Rebecca provides a comprehensive survey of techniques for followers. The elements covered include walking, posture, salidas, ochos, turns, ganchos, boleos, drags and embellishments. All are explained in considerable detail and shown from a variety of angles. In addition, Rebecca demonstrates turns and posture for dancing in the close-embrace that characterizes apilado-style tango. Rebecca also includes an interesting section on adjusting to leaders and covers the common mistakes that followers can make. Her instruction demonstrates generally clear and clean footwork. Rebecca does not provide an overview of what she is trying to accomplish on the video which makes for a slow start, but for those followers who have a knowledge of the basics and the motivation to improve their technique, the video contains first-rate material. Price: $45 ($55 for PAL) plus s&h from Bridge to the Tango, P.O. Box 560127 Medford, MA 02156, (888) 382-6467, website: <http://www.tangobridge.com/dtango7>. ***.5 Daniel Trenner and Rebecca Shulman: Milonga Traspie In this video, Daniel is assisted by Rebecca in teaching a style of milonga characterized by double-time steps in chamame rhythm that is danced by some milongueros in crowded clubs of central Buenos Aires. The video covers both single and double-time steps including walks, turns, other basic elements and some complicated variations. For those interested in this style of milonga, this video can be the place to begin. Instruction is very clear, and the steps are shown from many angles. Price: $40 ($50 for PAL) plus s&h from Bridge to the Tango, P.O. Box 560127 Medford, MA 02156, (888) 382-6467, website: <http://www.tangobridge.com/dtango7>. **.5 Daniel Trenner and Rebecca Shulman: Exchange of Lead and Follow For the past few years, Daniel and Rebecca have kindled controversy through public performances of a genderless tango in which lead and follow are exchanged between partners. Now they occasionally teach this way of dancing and propose it as a way to dance socially. The video starts with some exercises that would be useful for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of tango and then progresses to the specific skills necessary to exchange lead and follow. The latter material is best suited to dancers who have sufficient knowledge of both parts but do not feel bound by tradition. The instruction is clear and maybe too thorough, but the dancing is uninspired. The rating does not reflect the reviewer's opinion of this style of dance. Price: $40 ($50 for PAL) plus s&h from Bridge to the Tango, P.O. Box 560127 Medford, MA 02156, (888) 382-6467, website: <http://www.tangobridge.com/dtango7>. -fin-

Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 22:19:40 -0500 From: Melinda Bates <tangerauna @EARTHLINK.NET> Subject: Re: If Tangueros where like Greek Drivers I don't know about Greek drivers, as I have yet to visit there. But if tangueros danced like drivers in Rome, when they catch your eye as you maneuver yourself and your partner around in a slightly distant space, not in their line of dance, they will lock eyes with you and dance directly AT you, speeding up as they get closer, causing you to jump out of the way or risk the loss of life or limb.... it is QUITE an experience! Unfortunately, as a follower, I have experienced "dancing" almost exactly like what Aristotelis described. Rough and careless leads, talking through the music...When I started dancing, with swing and lindy, I thought that courtesy required me to finish any dance I started with someone, no matter how awful. Now I think my first responsibility is to my own safety, and if someone is rough or careless I will just say "sorry, I prefer to sit the rest of this out". Luckily that does not happen often in tango, but there is a local dancer who scares the daylights out of me, with dips and spins and other non-tango moves and badly placed ganchos.... The last time he asked me to dance I just said (politely) "no thank you". The women around me were shocked. In America no one just says "no" without an explanation. Why is that? (I am American.) Are women obliged to dance just because someone asks them? Are men? My favorite teacher loves teaching but hates to go to milongas because the women always ask him to dance, and he hates it. The women who ask him, and don't know him well, are offended when he says no. (The rest of us know better.) I have been talking about this behavior at milongas with an Argentine friend who has quite strong opinions on the subject. Perhaps the tango-L has already addressed this, and I just am late to the discussion. But I am curious what other leaders and followers think.

Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 23:29:39 EST From: Timothy Pogros <TimmyTango @AOL.COM> Subject: Hola from Cleveland Just want to say I had the most wonderful time in BsAs this week with CITA but most of all, I came home with a very beautiful Bandoneon NOW Is there any one in a 200 mile radius of 'Cleveland who can teach me to play this wonderful instrument. Other than Perter Swarez in Detroit. Tim Pogros (TimmyTango)

Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 00:05:56 -0500 From: Manuel Patino <manuelp @MINDSPRING.COM> Subject: Re: C.I.T.A. 1999 (long) Hi Tangueros and Tangueras, We just returned from the first C.I.T.A. in Bs As. Although it has been just a little over 24 hrs since we arrived at home, I thought I would relate some of my experience. First of all, I've attended several tango weeks and weekends in the USA and this is our second trip to Bs As. Compared with my previous experiences I must rate the 1st C.I.T.A. as an unqualified success. Gustavo Naveira and Fabian Salas (and all their helpers) really did a magnificent job. Even if it had not been a first try it was very well organized and executed. Of course, there were a few glitches, notably at the final show and milonga but these are to be expected in such a huge project in a first try. After an eventful and tiring trip via Loyd Aereo Boliviano we arrived to Bs As and promptly went to our hotel, the Bauen. By American standards it is not as good as most chain motels. The rooms are small and well worn but it was comfortable enough. The location however was very, very good. Next time I'll probably rent either an apartment or use another hotel a few blocks away for a lot less money and the same level of service, etc. The opening ceremony/show/milonga was held at the Club Espaqol. A beautiful building full of sculptures, paintings and wonderful architectural details. There was a show, drinks and food plus fabulous live music. It was really neat so see and meet so many tangueros from so many different countries. Italians, Spanish, Japanese, Australians, New Zealanders, Swiss, Germans and of course many from the US. Nice people and generally quite good tango dancers. There were also many local milongueros and milongueras who joined in the dancing and merry making. We took most of our lessons at the Club Espaqol but we also went to the Centro Region Leonesa and the Salon Agusteo which are venues to regular milongas as well. Other classes were held at La Casa San Telmo, Club Belgrano and the Galeria del Tango Argentino but we did not go to those. Unfortunately, we could only be in one place at the time :( We found the level of instruction to be excellent. The material was exciting, useful, accessible and clearly presented. The instructors are of course fabulous dancers as well as teachers. Several spoke English as well as Spanish and there were always translators available (I had the privilege to serve as translator for several teachers) to assist those instructors who spoke less English. The organizers tried very hard to make sure that gender balance was maintained and they mostly succeeded. The classes were monitored for attendance and they tried to make sure that people changing classes would not upset the gender balance. Of course, they could control access to the classes but there was no way to assure that all who registered attended. The best laid plans of men and mice.............. I really enjoyed my classes with Roberto & Guillermina, Rodolfo & Maria, Julio & Corina, Nito & Elba, Facundo & Kelly, Omar Vega & Luciana, Fabian & Lucia, Chicho & Claudia, and Olga Besio. I found Gustavo Naveira to be a particularly good teacher. Gustavo is really a very humorous and warm person and his teaching is truly peerless. I look forward to my next opportunity to take lessons from him. There was a show Tuesday night at the Pablo Picasso theater in a beautiful plaza between Corrientes and Sarmiento just a couple of blocks from the Bauen Hotel. The performance was awesome. The couples were (not in order) Julio Balmaceda & Corina de la Rosa, Guillermina Quiroga & Roberto Reis, Carlos & Alicia, Rodolfo & Maria Cieri, Gustavo Naveira & Guiselle Anne, and Gustavo Russo & Alejandra Martiqan. All the couples were truly stunning in their dancing. From the skill, warmth and charm of Rodolfo and Maria to the spectacular pyrotechnics of Gustavo Russo & Alejandra Martiqan the dancing was as good and better than anything else I've seen. All the couples danced with incomparable skill and feelings. It was plain to see that this was a dance show for dancers. Among the audience were also some of the best Argentine Tango dancers in the world. To ice the cake there was a performance by the Sexteto Major (with eight musicians) that brought the house to its feet many times. I think I will always treasure the memory of that wonderful show. During the nightly milongas there were also excellent demonstrations of dancing by the likes of Pocho Pizarro, El Indio and Mariana, Gachi Fernadez & Sergio Cortazzo, Eduardo Cappussi & Mariana flores, and more. The dancing shows were of course very entertaining and showed wonderful skill and feelings. Some notable performers were Carmencita Calderon and Juan Averna. They are in their 90's and still tangueando!!!! I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the dancing of Gustavo and Olga's son and daughter, I think he is 11 and she's 8 years old. They are quite accomplished dancers and a delight to watch. I only wish I could dance as well as they do ;) Of course, the live music by such fabulous groups like the Sexteto Major, Los Reyes del Tango, Sexteto de Jorge Dragone and the Cuarteto Almagro was a wonderful addition to the milongas. Dancing with good dancers on great wooden floors in beautiful rooms to the best live tango music was a remarkable experience. Based on my experience of these wonderful days, I cannot wait for C.I.T.A. 2000. I will start planning my trip as soon as I can. I love Buenos Aires and with such an excellent reason I will surely visit it again. I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to Gustavo Naveira and Fabian Salas. They have truly done an excellent job with C.I.T.A. From my personal experience in staging festivals, shows, dance workshops and dance weeks I know what a huge effort and sacrifice this event required to make it such a great success. Fabian told me of his dream to make this happen two years ago. His love of tango and of tango dancers gave him the inspiration and motivation to make this work. I'm glad he made it come true for all of us who came this year and all those who will surely come again. I would wholeheartedly recommend this event as the best tango week in the world. If you did not go this year, by no means miss it next time. All of you who were there I hope to see you again in Bs As. Regards, Manuel Patino

End of TANGO-L Digest - 31 Mar 1999 to 1 Apr 1999 *************************************************