[Tango-L] Can somebody shed some light on the subject?

[Alex]

Michael wrote (re: the Atlanta Tango Social): "I spoke with the festival
promoters about cabeceo. One of them told me that an out-of-town instructor
has suggested for years that they teach a class on cabeceo at the festival."

 

Michael, I just returned from the Atlanta event as well. I know what you
mean about the dim lighting hurting opportunities for cabeceo. It also
didn't help that the front row of "single" followers had a fantastic view of
the dance floor, but had their backs to most of the leaders interested in
dancing with them (who were leaning against the back wall scoping things
out). There were couples & groups table on either side, so it was a long
jaunt from one side to the other - impossible to lay any cabeceo on someone
way over there. So, the size and layout (and lighting) of the venue is key
for cabeceo to work.

 

Regarding your specific comment about a cabeceo class at festivals - I think
that's a great idea (it could be very fun, entertaining, and ice breaking),
but even better would be to structure the entire festival and milongas to
more closely resemble the "real" tango world in BsAs. Tom Stermitz did this
a couple of festivals ago in Denver - one of the milongas had separate
women's, men's and couples/groups areas. I liked it. The problem is, this
doesn't really work across a vast dance floor (especially if dimly lit) -
cabeceo seems to be more suited to the smaller, more intimate venues of
Buenos Aires.

 

Something Oleh Kovalchuke wrote about cabeceo in his blog
(http://www.tangospring.com/tangoBlogTopicTravelBuenosAires.htm#sep202004)st
uck with me - it took him three full days in BsAs to work out the
intricacies of cabeceo. Based on his statement, I have been reading and
trying to learn all I can about cabeceo for my first trip with a small group
to BsAs- April 15-26. I spoke to our fearless organizer/instructor here in
Aspen, Heather Morrow, about how we (in Aspen, and in the Denver community)
need to start adhering more to the codes and protocols of the milongas in
BsAs more stringently. If we all (teachers, promoters, organizers AND
dancers) learn and try to adhere to the codes and practice them day-to-day
and milonga-to-milonga, then the Argentine tango experience outside of BsAs
will be more "true". On top of that, we will be more prepared and
experienced with the mystery/art of cabeceo when we do make our first trip
to BsAs. Not to mention a better understanding/appreciation/respect for the
other codes and protocols. No doubt in the American "way", the codes will be
loosened up by default, but at least we will have made the attempt. The
folks organizing the Atlanta event did great with their hand out!

 

As more and more new people come into the tango world, I do believe it is
important (per some of the recent dialogs on Tango-L) to respect, yes, even
"preserve", these ancillary aspects of tango and milongas - especially
outside of Buenos Aires.

 

Here are my suggestions: cabeceo; separate followers, leaders, &
couples/groups seating when practical; clearing the dance floor at the
cortina; floorcraft (respect for all other dancers on the floor); adherence
to lanes of dance; what else?

 

Anyway, just throwing my two cents in.not sure what the answer is.besides
making the trip to BsAs.now back to work for me.

 

Regards,

 

Alex