659  Very good experience at LA Fireworks

Date: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 20:20:26 -0800
From: Dan Boccia <redfox@ALASKA.NET>
Subject: Very good experience at LA Fireworks

I had a very good time at Tango Fireworks, much better than I expected to
have, honestly. Having never been to one of these week-long tango
congresses with the big names and all I wasn't quite sure what I was getting
into. Every day, I got more and more into it as I realized how wonderful
everyone was. After awhile I even quit complaining that I was missing the
Alaskan summer. The teachers all had something unique and very useful to
offer. They all talked about how it is the dancers' responsibility to make
their dance work on the floor when dancing socially. They gave several ways
to help navigate the floor. They all had useful technique to offer, talked
about how much the music matters, etc. They didn't just throw out a pattern
and leave the class. I was impressed, consistently, by the instructors.
Brigitta showed her depth of experience in dancing and teaching tango over
the last 20 or so years - she is an amazing teacher. Hers are the kinds of
lessons that are so well constructed and thought out that you get something
immediately from the classes, but you find that 6 or even 12 months later
you're still learning things from her classes.

One of the things I loved the most were the afternoon practicas. The more
of this, the better in my opinion. This is where the instructors could zero
in on something specific they see you can improve in your own personal
dancing. This is also where a few friends could gather together to share
their own ideas.

I had some people tell me before this event that so and so instructor was
not a good social dancer or not a good instructor although they were
fabulous performers. After a week of taking lessons from them and dancing
around them at the milongas, I beg to differ, big time. Every one of them
could make it happen on the dance floor socially. I had no problem
navigating around them, and I'm very sensitive to that. I loved dancing
behind or in front of them because they are relaxed enough to exchange
energy with the other dancers around them - this is when the dance becomes
special, because you feel like you're dancing with your partner as well as
the others around you and it takes the dance to another level completely.
It seemed like Jorge, especially, could barely sit down - he seemed to
always be out there dancing with all kinds of people and having a great
time. The other thing I really liked about the instructors is that they were
very calm when they were getting ready to perform. They made sure I had the
order of the CDs correct, they made it clear when they wanted me to start
the song, and they knew I was probably as wound up as they were so they gave
me space to do the job. They were demanding for sure, but reasonably so.
Again, a distinct lack of overblown ego or attitude and a lot of good honest
humanity. Most of them made a point of thanking me for my efforts Saturday
night. Great people, fun people, and talented people, all of them.

The folks in Color Tango are wonderful, warm and full of life. I was down
there Friday night helping them set up their sound system and helping with
the sound technician. They were easy to work with and we laughed at their
broken English and my broken Castillano, but communicating with them was no
problem. I really didn't have to be there but it was so fun I just jumped
in and helped. A few of the instructors were practicing and they got along
with the orchestra very well. There was an air of mutual respect that I
really liked between the instructors and the musicians. After the job was
done everyone gave a round of hugs and thank-yous and we went about our
business. When I was DJing Saturday night, it was fun to play in and out of
the band sets. They made it clear when they wanted to start or end their
sets and gave me enough time to finish my sets or start a new one. They
didn't take the position that they were superior to me, rather, they had the
common dignity to realize that it is best for the audience if we all worked
together. Again, an air of mutual respect and the attitude that we'd rather
work together than not. And boy, did they play their hearts out for us -
those are some hard working, dedicated, and passionate musicians. We are
very fortunate to have them around. The great thing is that they're only
going to get better!!

I met several people I had previously only known by name. Wonderful people,
all of you!

Finally, it was an absolute pleasure to share DJ duties with Robert Hauk and
Robin Thomas. Their enthusiasm and great attitudes made the whole thing
more of a group effort rather than "each DJ to his own". We were all down
there before the milongas doing sound checks, etc. and making sure the DJ of
the night had everything he needed to do the job. We were all there at the
end helping shut the place down. We spent endless hours talking about the
music. They supported me Saturday night when I had both CD players going,
the computer going, headphones, CDs everywhere, dancers telling me exactly
when to play the music for their performances, Carlos telling me to change
the pitch of his song (I love that guy, he plays hard and works hard), etc.
with a floor full of dancers and a room full of people eating a wonderful
meal all at the same time. It's taken me until today to calm down from all
the electric energy around the DJ booth that night and I couldn't have done
it without your help guys - thanks. Robert made sure I had something to eat
because if I left the DJ booth I immediately felt like I was 5 miles away
from the equipment. The best part is that when Robert or Robin played
music, I could just relax and dance, knowing the music was going to be good.
Think about it - it's no wonder these guys are criss-crossing North America
playing at festivals all over the place - they are very, very good DJs. If
you haven't heard their music, book your ticket right now to their next gig
and see for yourself. It matters to me that these guys are also good
dancers and students of the dance (as well as teachers). And they dance to
ALL the music, from the rhythm of D'Arienzo to the super slow, thick
meltdowns of Di Sarli with Duran to the romance of Fresedo with Ray to the
hair-raising intensity of Pugliese (all of which was played regularly all
week). Thanks to these guys, I got melted down by slow, thick music, I
laughed while I danced to the playful milongas, I turned and turned to the
valses, and got to relax to the sophistication of classy tangos. I took
pleasure in their varied and creative cortinas as well, which added a very
nice personal touch to their music. Each night was a fresh journey through
a varied, rich musical soundscape. The great thing is that they're only
getting better, and I bet they're working on their music right now, getting
ready to blow the roof off the place in Denver when we all get together
again on Labor Day (anyone planning on attending that event better get lots
of sleep before-hand, you won't want to sit down all weekend!). They never
coast and always strive to collect more music and find other ways to do
better and better all the time. These are 2 of the folks who are raising
the bar for DJs in North America, and they make the rest of us work very
hard to stay in the picture.

Thanks, Linda, for putting this whole thing together. Your vision and hard
work is reflected by the beautiful people who gathered around to help you
out.

Cheers!

Dan