2611 The Street Woman Tango dancer
Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 11:24:19 -0500
From: Gibson Batch <gibsonbatch@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: The Street Woman Tango dancer
This will either make you smile or bristle, so prepare for the
unexpected....
At a practica several weeks ago that was sparcely attended, I invited a very
enthusiastic audience member to dance. She was wearing sneekers, so I
suggested she dance on her toes.
She told me her parents used to dance tango in the livingroom when she was
little, so I knew she had potential to relive some of those memories.
We danced one dance - and as so often in the past with beginners, I am
pleased to see we did reasonably well - better than many of the 'students'
where were also present at the practica.
But she didn't look the part (missing teeth, old clothes, etc.), although
she was clean. I asked her what she did for a living, and found that she
works at the coop grocery up the street.
Then I found out more. She told me she lives in her car under the freeway.
She is trying to find affordable housing, and restart her life. But inside
her soul, she was a dancer (she lived in 5 countries when growing up and had
ballet), and she loves tango as much as the rest of us (as refined and
beautiful we may be).
So as we are arguing fine points about skill levels, attitudes and 'how many
years' of experience, I tell you this woman's plight and her ability to
tango sends a message to me. I applaud those who risk to dance even though
we haven't taken as many classes as we could have.
How long does it take to learn Tango? It depends in how many tears you have
shed in your lifetime, and the more the better. And having a family history
in tango is another big plus. Read the lyrics to our songs, the answer is
there.
Gibson
Minneapolis
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 21:57:32 +1200
From: Robert <bob.ramsey-turner@QUICKSILVER.NET.NZ>
Subject: Re: The Street Woman Tango dancer
Gibson,
What a find!
Well said friend, those that are starting their journey into tango are
fortunate indeed, to find an open hearted welcome such as this. Keep the
doors open and play the music.
Robert
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, 6 August 2004 4:24 a.m.
To: TANGO-L@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: [TANGO-L] The Street Woman Tango dancer
This will either make you smile or bristle, so prepare for the
unexpected....
At a practica several weeks ago that was sparcely attended, I invited a
very
enthusiastic audience member to dance. She was wearing sneekers, so I
suggested she dance on her toes.
She told me her parents used to dance tango in the livingroom when she
was
little, so I knew she had potential to relive some of those memories.
We danced one dance - and as so often in the past with beginners, I am
pleased to see we did reasonably well - better than many of the
'students'
where were also present at the practica.
But she didn't look the part (missing teeth, old clothes, etc.),
although
she was clean. I asked her what she did for a living, and found that
she
works at the coop grocery up the street.
Then I found out more. She told me she lives in her car under the
freeway.
She is trying to find affordable housing, and restart her life. But
inside
her soul, she was a dancer (she lived in 5 countries when growing up and
had
ballet), and she loves tango as much as the rest of us (as refined and
beautiful we may be).
So as we are arguing fine points about skill levels, attitudes and 'how
many
years' of experience, I tell you this woman's plight and her ability to
tango sends a message to me. I applaud those who risk to dance even
though
we haven't taken as many classes as we could have.
How long does it take to learn Tango? It depends in how many tears you
have
shed in your lifetime, and the more the better. And having a family
history
in tango is another big plus. Read the lyrics to our songs, the answer
is
there.
Gibson
Minneapolis
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