[Tango-L] ET Al

[Deby Novitz]

The resident bocarona from Buenos Aires returns...

Michael F:  When some guy taps my back with those damn fingers I want to 
break them off. You have no idea how annoying it is.  The last time this 
happened, I moved my back to suggest that it bothered me.  When the man 
asked what was wrong I told him what bothered me.  He told me that this 
was the "Argentine" way to lead. (not true)  that I needed to learn to 
dance like the "Argentines."  (Always a convenient excuse for an 
Argentine who doesn't know me or my dance) I told him, I wasn't a 
bandoneon.  When I told people who I was seated with - all Argentines 
along with Mimi Santapa, they  found it pretty funny.  Leading with the 
fingers or the hands is not a way to lead, it is not another style.  
There is no such thing as a hand arm lead.  At least not here, and not 
with the good teachers.  (I do not know any one here who teaches this, 
but I am sure there is someone since we have a million teachers here as 
well.)

Tonight when Roberto gave a private lesson to a couple, he made the man 
dance without using his hands or arms.  They stayed straight down by his 
side.  This was to help him understand that the lead comes from the 
chest.  Yes, they stumbled and had some problems, but that was due to 
lack of posture, axis, and balance - not because the man did not use his 
arms or hands.  We demonstrated for this couple that when you have these 
3 things the arms and hands are not part of the lead.  You should be 
able to dance without them. 

Michael D:  Both dancers are always centered.  Centered does not 
necessarily mean that you are smack dab in front of the person 100% of 
the time.  It means that you have your axis - and all dancers should 
have their axis 100% of the time regardless of the movement.  I agree 
with Chris and his analysis of the forward ocho.  It is done here in 
Buenos Aires on the dance floor.  There is no need for the man to be all 
over the place.  His movement is very simple and allows the woman to go 
forward.  At least here, the forward ocho is not a whirling dervish all 
of the floor step.  It used when there is little movement on the floor 
due to the crowd.  It gives the woman an opportunity to continue to 
move.  It is danced in your own space.  In my opinon traveling with the 
forward ocho is not very elegant. f you want to do it differently then 
so be it.  If you ever come here to Buenos Aires, I will be happy to 
show you this movement...Free..and I know what you think of people who 
offer things for free as per your post..so consider it a gift.

Lastly, it isn't necessary to malign another person or write a nasty 
comment because you don't agree with them.  Everyone is entitled to 
their opinion whether you agree with it or not.  It isn't necessary to 
put someone else down to make yourself seem better or more expert.  When 
you are an "expert" in anything, it is funny, but people seem to know.

The point of this forum is to exchange ideas not egos...but then what do 
I know?  I'm blond.