[Tango-L] IV Campeonato Metropolitano -- Milonga finals

[Janis Kenyon]

This event has come a long way since its beginnings in March 2001.  The
campeonato metropolitano which was once held during the Festival Buenos
Aires Tango has grown on its own to become a month-long event during June.
For the first time, the finals precede the IV Campeonato Mundial which
begins on Saturday.

The task of staging these events for ten days in La Rural in Palermo is
overwhelming.  Auditorium setup, lighting, dance floors, stage, technical
equipment, promotion, programming, printing, security, website, etc. require
months of planning and a large staff of personnel.

There was a large turnout for the free class with Gloria and Eduardo.  This
is truly an event for the city where those you have never danced tango come
to take their first steps on a dance floor.  By the time I had arrived, they
had learned the eight-step basic with and ocho.  Then Eduardo explained that
tango is improvised.  No one had any idea of how to embrace their partner
and were focused on their feet.  La Tubatango quartet played for dancing
until everyone left to watch the competition in the other pavilion.

I'm told that the pavilion seats 4,500, which was at 50% capacity last night
for the milonga finals.  I was joined by Eduardo Mutaner who has danced more
than 50 years.  Every seat has a good view of the stage.  Those seated in
front have chairs for comfort; we were farther back in the bleachers behind
the tecnical equipment.

The three rounds of milonga finalists (26 couples) finally got the good
recordings they deserve.  Unfortunately, the stage surface left much to be
desired.  It was uneven and a few dancers had their milonga traspie
unexpectantly embellished.  The surface was dull, unlike the polished floors
of the milongas which allow for easy pivoting.

The judges were Milena Plebs, Eduardo Arquimbau, Marta Anton, Jorge Firpo,
Graciela Gonzalez, Julio Balmaceda, and Sergio Cortazzo.

The star of the show was El Flaco Dany who performed two milongas with a
young ballerina in her 20s.  When he's on stage, he's the show.   It's like
watching Fred Astaire do his thing so effortlessly and with such style.  His
partner Luna, her hair styled as a ballerina, danced on her toes.
Personally, I'd rather see Dany perform with an experienced milonga dancer,
but like Gavito, they prefer dancing with young girls.

The ten finalists were in two age categories: (A) 18-49 and (B) 50-80.

10.  Norma Galli - Victor Romero (B) (La Glorieta de Barrancas)
They were Dany's favorites when he was judging the semifinals.
9. Norma Chaves Fernandez - Ricardo Sotelo (B) (Milonga del Centennario)
8. Claudia Irigaray - Antonio Iorii (B) (Saraza Tango)
7.  Laura Vassena - Lucas Di Giorgio (A) (Lunes de Tango en Gricel)
6.  Sofia Saborido - Andres Molina (A) (Club Espanol)
5.  Irma Barrientos - Jorge de Gouvea (B) (El Arranque)
They're my champions.  Jorge is incredible at 71.  There's no bouncing,
kicking, butt swinging, etc. in their milonga.  It's elegant as milonga
should be danced.  They form an equal partnership.
4.  Natacha Poberaj and Fabian Peralta (A) (La Baldosa)
She's five months pregnant.  They were the token stage professionals in the
competition.
3.  Susana Ines Ochonga - Jorge Norberto Garcia (B) (Club Gricel)
He's Dany's younger brother.
2. Noelia Hurtado - Pablo Rodriguez (A) (La Baldosa)
1.  Melisa Parra - Bruno Mayo (A) (El Cachafaz)
At 20, Bruno has more energy than others, and came up with more steps than
anyone.

After the results were announced, I said to Eduardo, "I told you they would
win. He's creative."  Eduardo replied, "but it's not milonga."  I said, "we
know that, but do the judges?"

Many of those who participated last night will be competing tonight in the
finals of tango, including Bruno Mayo and Melisa Parra.   I'm making a
prediction that Maria Blanco and Maximiliano Copello will place in the top
ten--he's Carlos Copello's son.  I'll be happy if I'm wrong.