531  Tango with the Broom & Tandem Tango

Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 19:41:45 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: Tango with the Broom & Tandem Tango

We were like a bunch of kids. It was another of the wonderful private
parties held at Casa de Gerard in Buenos Aires with a group of friends from
the milongas, including several milongueros. Everyone dances with everyone.
At a recent party, we played "tango con la escoba". The music begins and
each man takes a partner to dance. There is one extra man who gets to dance
with the broom. When he drops the broom to the floor, all the men have to
find a new partner and continue dancing. The one left without a partner
gets the broom for his partner. It was so much fun. We were laughing
hesterically. There were about 20 couples in the dance salon. It reminded
me of party games with boys when I was a teenager. Well, this group acted
just like teenagers though the average age was well over 50.

When I was dancing West Coast Swing, I learned to dance tandem. It's when
one man has two partners, which adds a new dimension to the dance. Well,
the other night during another fabulous party at Casa de Gerard, I saw
Carlitos dancing tango with three women. I wouldn't recommend you try this
in your milonga unless the floor is empty. And guys, if you think you have
trouble leading one woman, can you imagine leading three at the same time?

If you stay at Casa de Gerard during your next visit, you will see what I'm
talking about. It's a great house for visiting tangueros who want to meet
the nicest people from the milongas. I can hardly wait until the next party
on May 11.

Pichi de Buenos Aires