The Tango-L mailing list archive
Digest from 8 Oct 1999
to 9 Oct 1999
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: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 03:00:04 -0400
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 - 8 Oct 1999 to 9 Oct 1999 (#1999-29)
There are 4 messages totalling 467 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. Ebert review
2. ?CD of Tango music to practice to ...?
3. Hern=?ISO-8859-1?B?4Q==?=n Obispo
4. Ebert, Tango and emotions
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Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 13:35:26 +0200
From: Natarajan Balasundara <rajan @EMC.COM>
Subject: Re: Ebert review
This sentence about 'virgins' could also be more like
what Marlon Brando (in either "street car named desire" or
"glass menagerie"?) says(i.e., shouts in his trademark rage):
" You can not be in love and be a saint..."
Ofcourse, the all important context is in the movie...
rajan.
Original Message-----
From: Frank G. Williams <frankw @tc.umn.edu>
To: TANGO-L @mitvma.mit.edu <TANGO-L @mitvma.mit.edu>
Date: Friday, October 08, 1999 7:32 AM
Subject: Re: Ebert review
>Greetings all,
>
>Virginia Gift wrote:
>
[ skipped ]
>"Not a dance for virgins" may be closer to the truth, but if forced to be
>literal I would say, "not a dance for the virgin in each of us". This
>is because I believe that young people often mistake sensuality for
sexuality.
>Tango is ultimately sensual, whereas expressions of sexuality are optional
>and often unwelcome.
>
>
>Abrazos,
>
>Frank in Minneapolis
>--
>_____________________________________________________________
>
>Frank G. Williams, Ph.D. University of Minnesota
>frankw @tc.umn.edu Dept. of Neuroscience
>(612) 625-6441 (office) 321 Church Street SE
>(612) 624-4436 (lab) Minneapolis, MN 55455
>(612) 281-3860 (cellular/home)
>
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 08:49:15 -0500
From: Stephen P Brown <Stephen.P.Brown @DAL.FRB.ORG>
Subject: Re: ?CD of Tango music to practice to ...?
Lars Genieser <lhgenies @bellatlantic.net> wrote:
>I have some difficulty with "catching the beat" of the music and
>dancing in sync. A CD of "Tango music for beginners to practice
>to..." would be a great help. The music should be simple and modern
>(not too much distracting melody) and have a strong beat which can be
>easily picked up.
I have three recommendations for music suitable for beginners to learn
to hear the beat of tango:
Francisco Canaro--La Melodia de Nuestro Adios
Miguel Calo--Yo Soy El Tango
Carlos DiSarli--Instrumental
All of these recordings have a very clear beat.
I do not agree, however, with the notion that the music for learning
the beat should simple, modern and without too much distracting
melody. Stripped of everything but the beat, the music would not be
tango.
--Steve de Tejas
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 13:35:13 +0000
From: Keith Elshaw <elshaw @INTERLOG.COM>
Subject: Hern=?ISO-8859-1?B?4Q==?=n Obispo
> THIS MESSAGE IS IN MIME FORMAT. Since your mail reader does not understand
this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.
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From: "smling" <smling @email.msn.com>
To: <elshaw @interlog.com>
Subject: Re: Hernan
Date: Fri, Oct 8, 1999, 4:29 AM
Dear Keith,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and my toes, for telling me
about Hernan. He came here to SF on short notice with Mariana. He was
everything you describe. His dancing and partnering was beautiful and I
learned exercises and sensations from him that I had never known about
before (I have been dancing fairly intensively now for about 1.6 years and
have been to BA 3x in the past 12 mos). He really was wonderful. It was
hard to publicize him at first because he did not send me any brochures,
videos or publicity ahead of time. but once people saw him dance they knew
how great he was. His teaching was as good as his performance, not
gimmicky, but smooth, beautiful, solid. They stayed in my home and were
lovely guests, never grumbling, trying to stay within the rules of the
house. I would highly recommend both him and his partner Mariana Fresno to
any city who needs a good teacher. I believe they may be coming back to th=
e
US in the spring. Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone else
on Tango-L. And thanks again for the introduction to Hernan.\
Stella
Original Message -----
From: Keith Elshaw <elshaw @interlog.com>
To: smling <smling @email.msn.com>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 1999 5:24 PM
Subject: Hernan
> Stella;
>
> I've given Hern=E1n your email. He will be in touch.
>
> I didn't feel it was my place to go into a long description on Tango-L.
> Here is one for you shared by friends in Montr=E9al as well:
>
> He is generous, wise beyond his years (33), extremely knowledgable about
> the origins of Tango and why things are the way they are; always
> prepared; punctual. He dances with all women all the time. He always
> answers every question with specific information ... he never says,
> "Don't worry about that now," etc. His exercises are fantastic. He
> really knows how to make the body move the right way. He is more
> concerned with people analyzing bodily movement than memorizing
> sequences. He wants men to lead, not women doing what they think they
> should do from memory.
>
> It's my impression that Hern=E1n has been very well schooled in how to teac=
h.
>
> Both Suzuki Avellenada and Maria Nieves have used him as a partner in
> the last couple of years.
>
> I can't believe how good he is. He loves people and gives, gives, gives -
> but not because he is "trying" to win approval. The question just never
> comes up. He is totally transparent in a pleasing way that reaffirms
> one's trust in all the good things one hopes to find in people.
>
> He knows everything a woman needs to know as well. He moves and speaks
> like a Master doing men and women's parts. There is no doubt when you
> watch him.
>
> He does everything slowly and explains everything very clearly. He
> builds beautifully.
>
> Here his attendees were at many levels. Didn't matter. I saw no one
> frustrated because he was too far ahead of them - but people like myself
> who are advanced were given instruction that made us wish he had been
> our first teacher years ago.
>
> He doesn't just give people complicated stuff because he knows they want =
it -
> like many teachers. He gives you the right stuff in digestible doses. He
> feeds your hunger and he feeds your soul. He runs big classes in such a
> way that you feel he is always paying attention to you.
>
> And all seemingly without trying. He is just a delight to be around.
>
> You never see him tired, you never see him without a smile on his face.
>
> One special person.
>
> I'm sure a significant torch has been passed to him.
>
> I'm aware of the huge size of your community and I assume it's
> sophisticated. You must have had every teacher there is there.
>
> I'll bet your folks will take to Hern=E1n in a big way.
>
> I can find at least some kind of reservation about every Argentine
> teacher I've ever met when it comes to making a recommendation. But I
> have none about recommending this guy.
>
> Move mountains to bring him in.
>
> If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.
>
> I personally have never spent money better than the money I've paid to
> Hern=E1n in the last 2 months for what he has taught me.
>
> Best,
>
> Keith
Hern=E1n web page: http://www.interlog.com/~elshaw/hernan.html
Updates on his schedule coming soon ...
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<HEAD>
<TITLE>Hern=E1n Obispo</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY BGCOLOR=3D"#FFFFFF">
<TT><BR>
<BR>
From: "smling" <<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>smling @email.msn.com<=
/U></FONT>><BR>
To: <<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>elshaw @interlog.com</U></FONT>><BR>
Subject: Re: Hernan<BR>
Date: Fri, Oct 8, 1999, 4:29 AM<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Dear Keith,<BR>
<BR>
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and my toes, for telling me=
<BR>
about Hernan. He came here to SF on short notice with Mariana. =
He was<BR>
everything you describe. His dancing and partnering was beautiful and=
I<BR>
learned exercises and sensations from him that I had never known about<BR>
before (I have been dancing fairly intensively now for about 1.6 years and<=
BR>
have been to BA 3x in the past 12 mos). He really was wonderful. &nbs=
p;It was<BR>
hard to publicize him at first because he did not send me any brochures,<BR=
>
videos or publicity ahead of time. but once people saw him dance they=
knew<BR>
how great he was. His teaching was as good as his performance, not<BR=
>
gimmicky, but smooth, beautiful, solid. They stayed in my home and we=
re<BR>
lovely guests, never grumbling, trying to stay within the rules of the<BR>
house. I would highly recommend both him and his partner Mariana Fres=
no to<BR>
any city who needs a good teacher. I believe they may be coming back =
to the<BR>
US in the spring. Please feel free to pass this message on to anyone =
else<BR>
on Tango-L. And thanks again for the introduction to Hernan.\<BR>
Stella<BR>
Original Message -----<BR>
From: Keith Elshaw <<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>elshaw @interlog.com</U></FO=
NT>><BR>
To: smling <<FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>smling @email.msn.com</U></FONT>>=
<BR>
Sent: Monday, July 12, 1999 5:24 PM<BR>
Subject: Hernan<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
> Stella;<BR>
><BR>
> I've given Hern=E1n your email. He will be in touch.<BR>
><BR>
> I didn't feel it was my place to go into a long description on Tango-L=
.<BR>
> Here is one for you shared by friends in Montr=E9al as well:<BR>
><BR>
> He is generous, wise beyond his years (33), extremely knowledgable abo=
ut<BR>
> the origins of Tango and why things are the way they are; always<BR>
> prepared; punctual. He dances with all women all the time. He always<B=
R>
> answers every question with specific information ... he never says,<BR=
>
> "Don't worry about that now," etc. His exercises are fantast=
ic. He<BR>
> really knows how to make the body move the right way. He is more<BR>
> concerned with people analyzing bodily movement than memorizing<BR>
> sequences. He wants men to lead, not women doing what they think they<=
BR>
> should do from memory.<BR>
><BR>
> It's my impression that Hern=E1n has been very well schooled in how to t=
each.<BR>
><BR>
> Both Suzuki Avellenada and Maria Nieves have used him as a partner in<=
BR>
> the last couple of years.<BR>
><BR>
> I can't believe how good he is. He loves people and gives, gives, give=
s -<BR>
> but not because he is "trying" to win approval. The question=
just never<BR>
> comes up. He is totally transparent in a pleasing way that reaffirms<B=
R>
> one's trust in all the good things one hopes to find in people.<BR>
><BR>
> He knows everything a woman needs to know as well. He moves and speaks=
<BR>
> like a Master doing men and women's parts. There is no doubt when you<=
BR>
> watch him.<BR>
><BR>
> He does everything slowly and explains everything very clearly. He<BR>
> builds beautifully.<BR>
><BR>
> Here his attendees were at many levels. Didn't matter. I saw no one<BR=
>
> frustrated because he was too far ahead of them - but people like myse=
lf<BR>
> who are advanced were given instruction that made us wish he had been<=
BR>
> our first teacher years ago.<BR>
><BR>
> He doesn't just give people complicated stuff because he knows they wa=
nt it -<BR>
> like many teachers. He gives you the right stuff in digestible doses. =
He<BR>
> feeds your hunger and he feeds your soul. He runs big classes in such =
a<BR>
> way that you feel he is always paying attention to you.<BR>
><BR>
> And all seemingly without trying. He is just a delight to be around.<B=
R>
><BR>
> You never see him tired, you never see him without a smile on his face=
.<BR>
><BR>
> One special person.<BR>
><BR>
> I'm sure a significant torch has been passed to him.<BR>
><BR>
> I'm aware of the huge size of your community and I assume it's<BR>
> sophisticated. You must have had every teacher there is there.<BR>
><BR>
> I'll bet your folks will take to Hern=E1n in a big way.<BR>
><BR>
> I can find at least some kind of reservation about every Argentine<BR>
> teacher I've ever met when it comes to making a recommendation. But I<=
BR>
> have none about recommending this guy.<BR>
><BR>
> Move mountains to bring him in.<BR>
><BR>
> If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.<BR>
><BR>
> I personally have never spent money better than the money I've paid to=
<BR>
> Hern=E1n in the last 2 months for what he has taught me.<BR>
><BR>
> Best,<BR>
><BR>
> Keith<BR>
<BR>
Hern=E1n web page: <FONT COLOR=3D"#0000FF"><U>http://www.interlog.com/~elshaw/h=
ernan.html<BR>
</U></FONT><BR>
Updates on his schedule coming soon ...<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</TT>
</BODY>
</HTML>
--MS_Mac_OE_3022234513_4909031_MIME_Part--
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 13:19:56 -0600
From: "Brian P. Dunn" <bpdunn @IX.NETCOM.COM>
Subject: Re: Ebert, Tango and emotions
Virginia Gift wrote:
> In a review of the film "Tango", Roger Elbert wrote the following, but
> without any support "The tango is based on suspicion, sex and insincerity.
> It is not a dance for virgins. It is for the wounded and the wary."
Frank Williams replied:
>>>>>>
Perceptions of tango are, in my opinion, very personal and quite varied.
....
In this case, as with each of us who dance it, the tango has revealed much
about the beholder, much like a mirror.
...
tango is "a dance of truth that cannot be 'faked'". Revealing oneself and
communicating with a partner at that level frightens many beginners.
...
"tango is for those who know
feelings of longing"? ...that's just the mirror held up to me...
<<<<<
I've been thinking a lot lately about what gets expressed in tango.
In April of this year, Julio Balmaceda and Corina de la Rosa talked in a
Denver workshop about expressing feelings in tango. In a beautiful, funny,
and poignant "demo", they showed how the same song could be danced with or
without an intensity of expression, seeming competent-but-flat on the one
hand, and on the other being clearly emotionally expressive, varying from
the subtle-but-unmistakable sly hints of seduction to tragic storytelling
with operatic intensity. To me their message seemed to be that tango
encourages a freedom of emotional expression that is not confined to any one
small subset of emotional colors. Perhaps, like me, many have taken an
image of tango as solely tragic, lustful, dominating/seducing, etc. because,
unlike other popular representations of other dances, tango places no
restrictions on what can be "said". So, whatever the untold truths of a
culture may be (such as the avoidance of sensuality/sexuality in the prudish
Puritan-influenced North American culture), their exposure in tango makes it
seem that the dance is about that dark cultural secret alone. In that
sense, Ebert shows himself a true son of his culture, seeing in the dance
the dark elements that are avoided by other dances he's familiar with.
Yet, what of the beautiful scene of mourning in "Evita", where couples are
sadly dancing to comfort each other after Evita's death? They are simply
feeling something intensely, and are expressing it with the artistic tools
they have been given because THEY MUST deal with the feeling somehow. In
the Mississippi delta, the response might be to grab a guitar and peel out a
fresh yank-your-pain-from-you eight-bar blues. I saw no insincerity, sex,
or wariness in these mourning dancers...
In a workshop last night in Boulder, Luciana Valle talked about feelings
expressed in tango. She said many people think that the tango is only about
being sad, or lustful, or angry, but that it's actually about "deep"
feelings as opposed to "light" feelings. "The tango can be about being
happy, too...but it's not a happiness of "hee,hee,hee" (light little
superimposed giggles), it's about a happiness of "ALL RIGHT, YEAH!" (bent
knees, clenched fists in an upward arc with surging dynamism). It's a DEEP
happiness that you feel DEEPLY, with your internal organs!"
This was tremendously illuminating for me. I'd recently been mulling over
an unattributed comment I'd heard passed around: "Only gringos dance tango
for fun". I'd taken this on as a judgement against the happiness I
sometimes feel in dancing, that I was somehow missing the true nature of the
dance. I felt constrained by stereotype ideas of "tango emotions" being the
default emotional palette I was "required" to work with. Luciana seemed to
be saying that tango can be an "emotional amplifier" that can help us focus
WHATEVER is happening in our emotional lives with a deep intensity perhaps
not otherwise available to us. As my acting teacher/tango partner likes to
say about her acting workshop, tango can provide "a safe place to be
dangerous". After all, it can also feel threatening/dangerous to give in to
feelings of deep happiness - what if they go away?
The unattributed comment above then made more sense to me: the implied
criticism was not about happy tango, but about SHALLOW tango.
Brian Dunn
Boulder, CO
End of TANGO-L Digest - 8 Oct 1999 to 9 Oct 1999 (#1999-29)
***********************************************************