2693  Acrobatic Milonguero

Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2004 12:24:22 -0700
From: sean <milos-gloriosus@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Acrobatic Milonguero

Dear List
"And aside from acrobatic moves, every step you can do in open embrace,
you
can do in close and vice-versa."

I find the above to be an generally agreeable thought. It is taken out
of context by me from a post by Carlos Rojas in which, among other
things, he found similarities in dancing with Fernanda Ghi and Susana
Miller. A bigger contrast in style I cannot imagine but I got what he
meant about it all being Tango. I enjoy watching open and "Nuevo"
dancers and often wonder if I can do some open movement from a closed
position. By that I mean with a "mostly" unaltered embrace. I prefer to
do things that don't interfere with that connection/embrace, and if it
does, will give up the step over the embrace. No big deal as there are
plenty of qualities in close embrace I can use that don't translate
well in open and that will compensate for a nice step not done.
Obviously we can't do "every step" in close embrace, and for me, even
some basic ones. A case in point. I have a simple non acrobatic test
for you. I have not passed it. If you can do this WELL and maintain
your embrace/connection, count yourself a better man than I. It's
pretty simple: begin a right turn where the leader performs a sacada
with his right foot (cross system) on her front cross then continue the
turn however you like. Remember to maintain your close embrace. I have
given up on this thing, it's just too hard on the connection. I limit
myself to a sacada with the left foot (parallel) as it feels more
natural in Milonguero. If you can solve this for me, my partners will
thank you. Vaya con dios.

BTW I use Milonguero, close embrace, closed, Salon, social, to all mean
the same thing, more or less, I guess. You know. It's easier on my
head.

Ciao,
Sean

"Stand back, I take large steps"
Milos Gloriosus from A funny Thing
Happened on the Way to the Forum