TangoBella

First dance in Buenos Aires

2009-07-27T02:50:00.000-07:00

This photo captures a special moment. Our first dance in Buenos Aires at Club Gricel.

Buenos Aires update 3

2009-07-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in hearing an unedited and candid conversation about Buenos Aires between myself, Alex, Bernard and Ian?

If so, you can hear it at Your Story.

We talk about our impressions of the city, shopping, food and of course, tango.

Buenos Aires update 2

2009-07-07T17:29:00.000-07:00

Fellow tango dancer and my new friend, Ian Kath has a great blog if you are interested in reading more about our tango adventures in Buenos Aires.

You can see it at Your Story

Buenos Aires update

2009-07-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

Had a very enjoyable lesson with Stella and Pablo yesterday. Danced things with Pablo I was not aware I could do. Had a smile on my face from ear to ear. Like a kid in a candy shop I am.

This week is all about fitting in as much dance as possible. Have group classes and private lessons booked with the aim that we go home better dancers than we arrived.

Attended the Sunderland milonga yesterday evening. The venue is in a basketball stadium. Wore my new black, white and red poka dot and stripped shoes. Loving them to bits. It's all about the shoes! Laughed myself silly with Bernard, but that's a long story and I'm too tired right now to explain.

After a rocky start, Alex and I are relaxing and last night enjoyed the music and the moment.

First impressions

2009-07-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

So familiar yet so different to what we are used to. It is amazing how quickly you adjust to a new lifestyle and how very easy it is to immerse yourself in tango. If you are looking for the dance, it is there, if you know where to look, behind doors with no names, along with exclusive tango shoe shops behind locked doors.

Our first two milongas have been chalk and cheese. A traditional dance at Club Gricel and a gay milonga with some of the most elegant dancers I have seen.

Today a group lesson with Pablo and Valeria. Absolute technicians. We enjoyed it so much, we have a private lesson with them next week. There is so much to absorb and so little time. I understand why dancers are captivated by this city and I now understand why our teachers, Sandra and Ross have been coming here for nine years.

Inspiring the beginners

2009-06-23T02:48:00.000-07:00

Alex and I will be teaching the beginner level 1 & 2 classes on our return from Buenos Aires. Just until Ross and Sandra return. A slightly daunting task. On Monday night, our teachers walked us through the lesson plans and we found ourselves questioning how to do the most basic of beginner moves. How quickly you forget! I'm feeling a little stressed even though I have mountains of experience teaching choreography and movement. Alex on the other hand is not one bit worried. It's going to be a very interesting sharing the responsibility with Alex. I'll have the big stick out and Alex will be cracking jokes. I hope we make the perfect combination :)

Very grateful for the experience. My aim: to inspire the students to want to learn more!

Five more sleeps until Buenos Aires.

Last social dance before BA

2009-06-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

Alex and I attended the Friends of Tango milonga on Sat 20 June at the beautiful old Queenslander halll at East Brisbane State School. Our last opportunity to dance in a social setting before experiencing the real thing in Buenos Aires.

Apart from Alex, I danced with four other men. I know this is the best way to improve my dancing. It's challenging. Each man has his own distinct style of communicating what he wants and it often takes three or four dances before you actually feel like you are connecting on some level. When I finally come back to dance with Alex, it always feels like I have come home :)

This photo is Alex dancing with Jennifer. I had hoped to ask someone to take some video of Alex and I dancing but I forgot... opps.

Thank you Sandra and Ross for a beautiful night. One more lesson on Monday night, then next stop, Buenos Aires.

2009-06-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

How to dance tango in a very small space!

Fabrizio and Celi

2009-06-12T20:47:00.000-07:00

I've attached a video of Fabrizio and Celi dancing. I took this at the milonga where they performed for a very appreciative audience on Sunday 7 June.

They have such an easy, playful style. A blend between the most modern development of tango and the traditional style. Watching them inspires me to dance. Like our teachers, Sandra and Ross, Fabrizio and Celi have a wonderful way of communicating the language of movement.

Alex and I will be staying with Fabrizio when we travel to Buenos Aires later this month, so I look forward to getting to know both of them better.

Enjoy!

Tango en la Costa Milonga 7 June 2009

2009-06-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

A turning point for Alex and I.

To make up the numbers we entered the Qld Tango championships qualifying rounds to compete in Sydney. Really, just a favour for our teachers, Sandra and Ross, to make the competition more interesting for the spectators. A little stressful, as the judges were Fabrizio Forti and Celi Arias. Beautiful dancers from Argentina who have been here for a week teaching workshops.

The first tango had a very steady beat. Alex carefully led me into a simple walk with perfect technique. I knew it was important that we both relax. I knew it was important that our walking technique was spot on. I think our walk is one of our best features.

The second tango was little faster in tempo and Alex easily led otcho contadas and milenguro turns and I worked hard to decorate as much as I could. The third tango had several tempo changes and I could feel Alex working very hard on his musicality.

At the end we both looked at each other in amazement. We had just danced three songs in silence, without stopping to analyise or discuss or tiff with each other. After dancing seriously for 12 months, I think it was a turning point.

We placed 2nd. A little boost in confidence before we travel to Argentina in 19 days.

2009-06-04T02:59:00.000-07:00

Volcadas

Took class tonight with Fabrizio & Celi. Want to learn the intricate details of the very beautiful volcadas. They look easy but take great control.