SLO Tango -- important possibilities

Fri Feb 2 01:27:54 EST 2007

For me, Tango is more than dance, or, dancing well.  It is, at best,  
an egalitarian intermingling of opportunities to be with a changing  
group of dancers to have intimate connections via the dance, the  
music, and the venue. What the suggested approach smacks of is  
stratification.  There have always been opportunities to attend  
different levels of instruction.  Some of these have stretched me and  
some have left me frustrated and disheartened.  I always grow.

I have had long experience with Bhuddist community, drumming  
community,  and Yoga community where people wanting to have levels  
has caused a rendering of the community.  I have heard from people in  
Santa Barbara about the difficulties there with levels.  One of the  
reasons they come to dance here is because of our inclusivity.  What  
we now have is a  precious vital community that grows.  I do not  
believe anyone has been held back in their aspirations to dance  
better.  All comers are graciously accepted among us to evolve within  
their own frames of time, ability, commitment, musicality, and  
willingness.  Being the only Tango game in town means people can't   
just migrate to another Tango community.

I am not part of a dance couple.  Tango appears to me as a place to  
uncouple as well as couple.  There appears to exist now plenty of  
time for each person to dance with people of lower levels like myself  
and some of the more practiced dancers.  In each instance we have the  
opportunity to meet that partner where they are at that time. The  
last two Monday Practicas I have attended have been wonderful, as  
noted by myself and my visiting friend.   There have been others, but  
my memory is short.  Makes me want to burst into a chorus of "We Are  
Familee".   There is not that much difference between those at the  
nadir and those at the apogee of their dance.  It takes a while to  
gain the confidence, or humility, to dance with everyone.  Isn't that  
the idea of coming together?  We all need love in abundance.  I'm not  
concerned with whether it comes from a good dancer or a beginner.

I love change and growth, but attention is advised lest we spoil the  
soup by trying to dissect it into lesser and greater ingredients.  To  
me the important thing is the Tango community, not how well anyone  
dances.

Presumably, instructors have come to us with their agendas for  
learning.  I have learned more from some than others.  Why would we  
want to choose the flavor of the month?  Let us gravitate to them.  
That is Tango.  Where else do we dictate what we will learn?  The  
better dancers among us will always learn by teaching, so why would  
they not pay for a class where they can work with people like me?

Why not more Milongas?  Take a risk, roll the dice, if people show up  
they do, if not,  then go home early.

Tom Harrington

On Feb 1, 2007, at 10:02 AM, Laura Elizabeth Andes wrote:

>
> Hello there fellow SLO Tango dancers,
>
>
>
> Rich has asked me to help with the scheduling of workshops for our  
> Tango community. Before discussing specifics with any visiting  
> instructors, I would appreciate some feedback from our group  
> regarding a number of issues.
>
>
>
> 1. A number)of SLO Tango dancers have expressed an interest in  
> joining together to take “semi-private lessons.” Four of our more  
> experienced couples have been doing this for some time, and they  
> seem very satisfied with the results. Group-privates cost $160.00  
> an hour and accommodate up to four couples (that’s $20.00 per  
> person). This format is manageable for the instructors, the  
> compensation is fair, and the cost to the participants is  
> affordable. It’s a true win-win-win situation! The focus of these  
> workshops will be (pre-)determined by the interests of the  
> participants. These classes will be for couples only, so we will  
> have to partner singles. Rotation will be on a voluntary basis. If  
> there is sufficient interest in this kind of approach, then we  
> would schedule just one day of beginner-intermediate workshops. The  
> second day would be set aside for these group (and, of course,  
> individual) privates. If you are intrigued by this format, please  
> let me know as soon as you can.
> If you wish, you can provide details (such as if you are a single  
> or have a partner as well as what topics interest you).
>
>
>
> 2. If able and willing, more advanced dancers can foster the growth  
> of and help sustain our existing dance community by donating their  
> time. If you are a practiced “tango veteran,” perhaps you could  
> volunteer to attend the beginning and intermediate level workshops?  
> Of course, you would not be required to pay for these classes. Your  
> attendance will help balance the lead/follow ratio and provide less  
> experienced dancers an opportunity to work with more experienced  
> partners. Please let me know if you are interested in doing this  
> for our dance community.
>
>
>
> 3. It has been suggested that we have a milonga when hosting  
> visiting instructors. Please let me know if you support this idea  
> and would be willing to attend such specially scheduled milongas.
>
>
>
> I really look forward to hearing from you regarding the  
> possibilities outlined above. When you have had time to absorb all  
> of this, please provide me with feedback, interest, and other  
> constructive suggestions. I need your input! You can reach me at  
> lauraandes at excite.com. Thank you so much for your participation and  
> support.
>
>
>
> Happy tondas to all!
>
> Laura Andes
>
>
>
> ---
>
> The only thing that humans need in abundance is love.
>
> ---
>
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>
>
>
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