2585  Living Right?

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Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 10:30:12 -0700
From: Phil Seyer <weddingdj@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Living Right?

At a certain (non-milonga) dance party I enjoy going to, they have
mixers. I understand that some milongas have mixers, too! (Yipes!
horrors! -- this doesn't seem to fit with the milonga rules that have
evolve over hundreds of years.)

Anyway, I think mixers are great because it gives everyone a chance to
dance, even those who might not otherwise be invited to dance during
the regular part of the dance party. Mixers are done in different
ways. Sometimes followers line up on one side of the room and leaders
on the other. Whoever is first in line on the follower's side dances
with whomever is next in line on the leader's side.

I must be living right. Last weekend I lined up on the left, on the
follower's side (as I nearly always do when the DJ calls out, "All the
ladies on the left and all the gentlment on the right." Usually I get
waved off with a frown and swiping hand movement by sexist men who
refuse to dance with me. But this time a man accepted me as a follower
saying, "What are you doing here? OK, let's go. I am an equal
opportunity dancer." I asked him to take it easy on me since I don't
get to follow often. He started counting the beats out for me, but
when I said "Got it," he immediately stopped counting and just led me
-- and led me quite well. It was fun and I enjoyed following. Later
that night when I was leaving, my leader was sitting near two ladies
with whom I had also danced. It was fun saying, "It was nice dancing
with all three of you tonight."

Another indication that I must be living right is that recently I had
the opportunity to take a follower's technique class. It was really a
good workout and I learned a lot. We did a lot of exercises to help
improve balance and develop muscle tone. Although the exercises were
clearly designed to benefit followers, I think they will also improve
my leading skills.

--------------------------
Phil Seyer
Live Tango Chat Online
www.argentine-tango.com


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