The frustration and magic of tango
I did not enjoy some of my tango classes because it seemed like we always had to go back to the beginning. I felt disappointed because I did not go all the way to Buenos Aires to practice learning how to walk over and over again. Part of the problem came from the fact the classes at the B&B were open to anyone and there were always new people who did not know much about the dance. I know I am still a beginner and that I don't know really know the proper technique, but I was tired of going over structure. I think part of it was a clash of teaching methods. From having learned my first steps from a discovery-based learning method to going back to a 'grammar' based learning method is hard. I got tired of watching teachers demonstrate and not really coaching or giving practice time. I admit I made for a bit of a difficult student being stubborn and bored in the classes. In the end I always ended up learning something, but it was not really what I wanted.
Friday I went out to check out Club Villa Malcom . I was told I would get tango nuevo and I was curious to learn more about that style. I can't really say if I did see any special style. The club was much more relaxed than any of the others I went to. I don't think I talked to one Argentine person there all night. I sat at a table with girls from New York and Russia, and I guy from Germany. I also randomly ran into a swing dancer named Sharon Davis who is from Australia and was in Edmonton in May giving a workshop that I attended. Her dance partner is from BA, so it wasn't that strange. Around 2am there were a couple performances by once again the Japanese champions (I think they were following me) and a Chilean couple. Neither of the dances really blew me away. I guess they had amazing technique, but I was hoping for a little more passion. It was interesting to see the international side of tango
Saturday I wanted to go out, but I was too tired from my trip to the Tigre and tired of doing things by myself. I was told the Sunderland Milonga would be a neat experience and that Club Gricel sometimes has a live band. I was torn because it was my last night in Buenos Aires. After some sleep and a lot of effort I did convince myself to go out. It's a little crazy to go out at 3am, but it was quite easy to walk down the street catch a cab and after 3:30am La Viruta is free. Lots of people go there after the other Milongas end and just after four you can order breakfast. The fresh medialunas looked delicious. I was still hoping to see some amazing dancers (apparently Sunday is the night to watch the professionals, not Saturday). Surprisingly I got to dance a lot which is really what I like. Mostly I danced with older Argentine men and they like to pull you close and walk you around the dance floor. The less I worry about technique and doing the proper steps, the better I dance. A few people I danced with gave me more space and time to do the steps which I liked. As crazy as it sounds not one person I danced with in the whole trip had the same style. I didn't plan on staying until 6am, but the couple next to me made me. As soon as I got up to leave the wife called her husband to dance with me. In the end yes I am glad I got to dance the last song which is always an electronic tango. They dim the lights and play with blue lighting. At one point I had sort of closed my eyes while being softly rocked around the dance floor. Suddenly the music changed and then blue lights went up and that is when I got to see some exciting tango moves. I was slowly turning around the room and all around me there were dancers being twirled and caught and connecting. People of all ages, a couple of men dancing with each other, and everyone enjoying the dance.
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