Re: [TANGO-L] Outdoor Milongas

["Frank G. Williams" <frankw @mail.ahc.umn.edu>]

Hi Lois and friends,

...just a quick addition to Lois' note...

Lois Donnay wrote:
>
> Here in Minnesota we treat the cement or concrete with white sand. We
> spread it with a lawn fertilizer spreader.

The exact material is potter's silica.  We get it from Continental Clay
(612-331-9332).  It looks like fine sand but in fact the microscopic
shape of the particles is sphrical.  In other words, we spread down a
layer of little ball bearings!  The idea came from a ceramics sculptor
who also dances salsa, Gary Erickson.  With the silica, the dance
surface
isn't so impossible.  The only draw backs are: a) it also generates
dust,
and b) an ocho is surprisingly loud.  Add all of the dancer's moving
together, and the sound system needs to be loud as well!  Still, you
shouldn't use nice shoes...

The problem with talc, and the reason it was largely removed from the
US marketplace as a skin powder, is that it is relatively allergenic.

So, the next outdoor milonga here in the Twin Cities is this Saturday at
Mears Park in 'Lowertown' St. Paul.  ...a lovely urban setting lit
by inspired landscape architecture and the surrounding buildings.
You're all invited!  http://www.mntango.org

Best regards,

Frank - Minneapolis
_____________________________________________________________

Frank G. Williams, Ph.D.           University of Minnesota
frankw @mail.ahc.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)