[Tango-L] open and close embrace

[Ed Doyle]

Hi Ron and Igor,

I dance both close and open embrace although probably not nearly as well as
either of you (I have about two years total experience).  Anyway, I
certainly have had some wonderful dances over the two years in both
embraces.  Looking back, I don't think what made the special dances so
special was so much the embrace as it was the connection, the sharing, the
music, the other dancers, the energy, my emotion (and hers). If I look back
at what I would consider my best (meaning most pleasant) open embrace dance,
I really don't believe that particular experience would have been 'still
better yet', had we been in close embrace.  On the other hand, i have had
many wonderful dances in close embrace.  For me, my partners ability/desire,
the music, the floor conditions, all play a roll in which embrace I/we
chose. So - while I can easily believe for any one individual, close or open
may be superior or most pleasant, enlarging it to the tango community, I
believe/hope there is room, tolerance, enjoyment for all in their chosen
embrace.

I have never been to BA, but I guess if I were, and if most of the followers
there preferred close embrace, that would probably be my choice too.  The
other leaders/couples on the floor are also very important to me.  If I
thought leading a particular open embrace movement would be distracting to
them, I would not lead it.  The dance is more than just me and my partner,
it is all of us on the floor together, being one.

Best of Luck to you both, and all reading this. The dance is big enough for
all styles, It is possible (I believe) to like both chamber music and rock
and roll.  They don't have to be exclusive.

Ed


On 7/21/07, Tango Society of Central Illinois <tango.society at gmail.com>
wrote:
>
> On 7/21/07, Igor Polk <ipolk at virtuar.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > 2. Quality of Dance. "The close embrace is more intimate and permits
> > greater
> > sharing of emotion."
> >
> > No, they are equal. Open embrace can be more intimate than close
> embrace.
> > How? Ask me personally. Emotions are transferred by artistic abilities.
>
>
>
> Igor,
>
> This is not meant to dispute you in particular, but your comments provide
> the context for further elaboration.
>
> Imagine this. You're at a milonga. The club is crowded and the temperature
> is warm. The DJ is playing great music and the sound system is clear. (BA
> milongas tend to play music more loudly than US milongas.) The tanda just
> starting is Calo - Beron or Demare - Beron. For me it could also be Di
> Sarli
> - Podesta, Troilo - Fiorentino, possibly even Tanturi - Castillo or Biagi
> -
> Amor. You spot a women with warm smile. She responds to your invitation to
>
> dance. As you embrace, she extends her arm over your shoulder
> affectionately, drawing you closer to her gently. She places her cheek
> firmly in contact with yours. As you dance, the emotion of the music
> overcomes both of you. Your breathing becomes heavier, also more
> synchronous. The two of you move and breathe as one. The heat of the club
> and the passion of the dance releases sweat on your face. The sweat on
> your
> cheeks intermingle. The scent of her perfume, now amplified, premeates
> your
> nostrils. You forget where you are. You don't have to think where you are
> going - the music and the space on the floor guides you. Time seems to
> stop.
> You are at peace.
>
> This experience cannot be achieved in open embrace. It can only be
> achieved
> dancing tango in close embrace. It's something that makes tango a special
> unique experience.
>
> Ron
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