Dear Readers,
This week marks the final week of Viva classes for 2010, so I’m expecting you to be there, so I can wish you a Merry Christmas in person!! For those of you who read this from remote parts of Africa, you’re off the hook this time. On that note, I wanted to thank you for coming with me on the Melbourne Tango Hotspot journey. starting this project was a daunting exercise – I believe tango is one of the most popular blog topics in the world. What else could I add? I hope that you have enjoyed the formula that I have devised, as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
Writing here has helped to consolidate for me, all the precious lessons, all the epiphanies that occurred for me throughout the year. I’ve also truly enjoyed watching your progress - taking your baby steps in Beginner Level 1 to forging new territory in Level 2. And those brave souls who have challenged themselves by staying back for the Intermediate classes. Go you. Such achievements and dedication on your part are worthy of celebration, so make sure you stalk the fertile plains of the Tango Bar milonga, with you very best “extend, shift weight, delay” panther stride. You’ll bring a tear to Chris’ eye.
Another huge learning curve for me happened during training for our performance of Quejas de Bandoneon. First of all, unlike in social dancing, you cannot simply follow. The leader needs his energy to express the emotion of the dance, and project it to the entire audience. As the follower, you must maintain your connection to your partner, as well to the audience, being careful not to neglect one for the other. Finally, “it’s all about lines”, in Chris’ words. Beautiful silouhettes, sharp and snappy or soft and fluid movements, as the music dictates. When Christian discusses the “light and shade” of the dance in classes, he is referring to these aspects of the dance. I also enjoyed dancing those moves that don’t really belong in a milonga (like that lift)…secretly pretending I was Mariana Montes!! So if you’re ready for another leap in your learning, I suggest you sign up for next year’s performance class – immortalized on YouTube, you’ll proudly show the grandkids on their new “i-child”.
Speaking of YouTube, I want to extend a special thanks to the deities who share our living room and allow me to witness their skill and grandeur while the baby is napping: Sebastian Arce and Mariana Montes, Ozvaldo Zotto (God rest) and Lorena Ermocida, Adrian Veredice and Alejandra Hobert, Geraldine Rojas and Javier Rodriguez. You rock my tango planet.
From Christian and I, many thanks for your support throughout this year. I am still in awe of the shiny, happy feeling I get while teaching the classes - and it happens because of you! From us, Merry Christmas and a joy-filled, exciting New Year.
P.S. Don’t forget to pick up the Christmas Edition of the Newsletter. If you can truthfully tell Christian you have posted it to your fridge, he will die a happy man.
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