La Cumparsita
Monday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. I have danced the tango on all those days this week. I’ll dance it again tomorrow, Monday. And on Wednesday, too.
I’ve been attending various events at the Michigan Argentine Tango Club’s 10th Anniversary Celebration. Lots of new things to think about, many insights on how to be a better follower. But I’ve also just enjoyed milling around in the group, watching people - not just when they’re dancing, but just doing ordinary things, too.
Little things I don’t want to forget:
- Sitting at the side of the milonga, watching couples move slowly around the very crowded floor, kind of like a big pot being stirred. At one point in the music there was a dramatic ending of a phrase, a fermata, and the whole mass of people rose up slightly, stopped completely, and then sank back into the dance, all at once. It was so beautiful I nearly burst into tears.
- I got to dance with my very favorite leader several times. I’ll not name him here, but he is exactly the right height, leads delicately but decisively, feels the music and is quick with a laugh when we flub something and a little celebration when we get something new right.
- One thing I am not liking about tango is that I find I need to pull my hair back, especially for workshop/class situations, to keep it out of the face/mouth/stubble of the leaders. Grumble. I think I look better with it down. Especially with the glasses on.
- It was fun to watch the women at the fancy milonga last night. There were some seriously inappropriate dresses, mostly on women trying to dress 30 years younger than they should. On the other hand, this is a student organization and there were a bevy of incredibly lovely, lithe young things in vurrrry appropriately short skirts.
- Interesting to spend so many days in a group of people who know how to move gracefully. The walking gaits are tall, confident, rhythmic. Even little things, like the way people sit or bend to use the water cooler (the women don’t bend straight at the waist, they delicately extend a leg as they bend, it’s delicious).
- My spine feels as though it’s several inches longer. My hips feel loose and stronger. I’ve lost 3 pounds.
- As with any group, it takes some time to feel at home. Volunteering tonight was helpful in that regard. I feel like people know my face if not my name, and seem to smile at me more. This pleases me.
Tomorrow night is the last night of the festival. I suspect that I’ve already discovered how much tango is too much tango, but it seems silly to skip going. Besides, I’ve yet to dance (ever) to La Cumparsita and that seems far too tragic for words.
