Cristalisa
- Breaking the Code
- Special Moments - strangers and friends
- "The dance, IS the dance - it is ONLY the dance"
- Related Articles
Breaking the Code
11th August 2009
From other discussions, many will be familiar with the 'codes' of the Milonga. One of these that has not really passed into the UK is;
'The Rule of Repeat Dances'
Generally, in Buenos Aires, you should not accept a dance more than once in a evening, unless you are either in a relationship with that person - or want to move in that direction.
As most Milongueros want to give the impression that they are 'available', this means that they won't even repeat dance with their partners.
This was one of those milongas that you never forget. I'd danced several tandas with some nice dancers and then accepted the cabaceo of a milonguero that I hadn't noticed before. We danced a tanda of Tango, it was good - but not amazing. But then something unusual happened.
Instead of thanking me and escorting me back to my seat he said;
"I really enjoyed that dance, would you be interested in dancing Vals" - it is almost unheard of for a milonguero to do this as it "breaks a rule".
Eventually a Vals started, our eyes met, he'd made the cabaceo and it was up to me to accept. I smiled and nodded softly. He left his table and walked towards me.
Nothing was said, we met on the dance floor and started to dance.
It was fantastic - his musicality and floorcraft were perfect. We moved as a unit with no moments of uncertainty or having to avoid other couples.
At the end, just 'Thank you' as he escorted me back to my table (another B.A. norm).
For the rest of the afternoon (well it was B.A.), everytime a Vals started, our eyes met and I accepted his invitation to dance.
At the end of the Milonga, I 'floated' back to my Hostel. I looked forward to dancing with him again. I went back to the same venue every Sunday afternoon for the next 3 weeks but he wasn't there and I didn't see him at any other Milonga.
Perhaps, if we'd danced again, it wouldn't have been the same and I wouldn't have such a special memory.
This is what Tango is for me.
~ Cristalisa
Special Moments - strangers and friends
25th July 2009
There are many reasons why a particular dance will be special;
The old friend
I turned up at one of my regular Milongas and noticed someone that I used to dance with quite regularly but that I hadn't seen for 18 months.I thought; "I hope that he'll ask me to dance. I'm sure that he used to enjoy our dances. But it's a busy Milonga and we both have lots of prospective partners..."
I was having a great evening with lots of dancing, we'd made that all important eye-contact so I knew he wanted to dance but- would we both manage to be available at the right time?
The evening flies by and I notice that it's just 30 minutes until the end.
"Oh well - perhaps there'll be a next time"
Then the first few beats of Poema starts, I look around; this is a piece that I will only share with an inspired and sensitive leader.
I look down the room and make eye contact. We both know that this has to be special. We arrive in front of each other without breaking eye-contact - no-one is going to 'steal' this from us.
Hands touch and the embrace forms - the introductory beats end and we are ready to dance.
Connection iseverything - sharing energy with another person and making something magical.
The music flows through us - dancing to Poema is like dancing with an old friend - we both know it intimately - there are no hidden surprises.
We both know that we are sharing something special.
The music ends, we hold the embrace for a fraction of a second longer than usual, eyes meet briefly and we smile.
There is no need for words...
Maybe it'll be 18 months before we dance again.
We both know that, at some time in the future, we will, once again, share our energy and it will be amazing.
The tall, dark stranger
I've had some very memorable times dancing at Confiteria Ideal. Many people criticise it as a 'tourist Milonga' but there are some lovely old Milongueros dancing there and, when there is an orchestra, it's certainly special.
On one evening I remember the orchestra was Sexteto Milonguero. When dancing to an orchestra, the tanda system goes 'out the window'. Often couples will stay together for the whole set, or until they get too hot/tired. It's difficult to make the cabaceo between tracks as the dance floor doesn't clear.
As they started to play, I accepted the cabaceo from a Columbian guy.
I think the first dance was a tango, I don't really remember...the memory that has stuck is that of dancing the best milonga of my life.
The passions of the music, the embrace and the musicality of his dance were perfection.
He took me to a place where I had never been before...I felt that the music had entered my body.
At the end of the dance there was the usual 'thank-you', I went back to my seat - hardly able to walk, my legs were like jelly.
This was such an intense experience that it took me around 20 minutes to be able to share my energy again...WOW!!
~ Cristalisa
"The dance, IS the dance - it is ONLY the dance"
18th July 2009
It was on my first trip to Buenos Aires that a Tanguera gave me these words of advice;
"What starts on the dance floor, must stay on the dance floor"
At the time this didn't mean anything but, over the years, I've begun to understand ...
It's Saturday night, we've set up the tables and chairs, organised the drinks and nibbles, the music is ready and I'm trying to organise a mountain of shoes into a tempting display. The first couple arrives. I smile and indicate for them to come in, the host greets them as old friends but, then, she knows everyone.
Ah yes, I remember now, it's one of our visiting teachers and her partner. A friendly, unassuming couple, he's not a teacher, a lovely dancer with good connection and musicality, but quite shy/nervous and a bit in her shadow.
We always make our guests welcome, so it's off to the kitchen with an order for teas/coffees and then we chat. Apparently they're travelling to the NorthWest and decided to break the journey, stay a night and visit our Milonga.
It's a busy night for me but eventually we get the opportunity to dance. On the 3rd track I can feel that he relaxes and the dancing really starts to flow, we continue, each time the connexion increases and we merge into that flowing single unit on the dance floor. We don't feel the need to chat between dances, the dance and the music is expressing it all.
After around 30 minutes, he says;
"I suppose I should get the nerve to go and ask someone that I don't know"
"But you don't know me - it was at least 3 years ago when we danced"
"Yes - " (he pauses and says quietly) "but I remember it."
"I remember it too"
That is all that is said - we have an understanding - anything more could make either of us feel uncomfortable.
Perhaps it won't be three years until the next time...
These moments are 'dangerous' and shouldn't happen too frequently.
As the lady said: "make sure it stays on the dance floor".
~ Cristalisa