Some interviews
Since I have been neglecting my blog for the past couple of months, thought I’d bump up the post count before the end of 2011! 😉
Here is Part 1 (of 5) of a series of interviews (English subtitles) with tango teachers in Rosario, Argentina (map below).
Thanks to Janis for alerting me to this series.
Innovators
Had a conversation the other day which gave me a new perspective on the roles played by the milongueros in Buenos Aires.
I had always imagined (or “misled” to have the impression?? 🙂 ) that the milongueros as we know were more or less the torch-bearers of tradition and everything old-school!? Not that there is anything wrong with that, mind you, because otherwise we won’t be able to get glimpses of how tango was back in the Golden Age, 50-60 years ago.
However, perhaps due to the “competition” to dance with good followers, or entire nights of dancing to only one orchestra*, rivalries between barrios, lack of any one dominant style (more teachers??), etc., the milongueros were able to create many things which were distinctive and unique, both for themselves individually and at milongas at different barrios. Here I am not really talking about “innovating” as in the original spirit of Naveira/Chicho/Salas (and definitely not the modern-day tango nuevo) which for me has its place. I am referring to the act of pushing the boundaries of what was possible without opening the embrace, and discovering subtle ways of dancing to the music. It’s a pity that there are fewer and fewer examples of that variety from the Golden Age era every year.
* There is evidence to suggest that orchestras such as D’Arienzo, Di Sarli, Troilo, etc., played at one place for the whole night.
Viejos milongueros
Just discovered this nice series of videos of various milongas in Buenos Aires in the 90’s. Since this was before the influx of tango tourists, I presume that collectively they are quite representative of the milongas in Buenos Aires back then. “No gimmicks” tango, just social gathering and self-expression.
Emerald
Don’t feel particularly inspired to write anything of late, although I must confess there is still a healthy backlog sitting in the Drafts folder.
Anyway here is a gem from the perennial Osvaldo and Coca, dancing on the occasion of their Emerald wedding anniversary – I had to look this up but it means 55 years together! Good for them!!