[Tango-L] Omar Vega

[robin tara]

People have been asking about Omar. They are asking if it was really a
drug overdose - I don't know, but I never knew Omar to be involved
with  drugs. He may have hung out with folks who were, but I never
knew him to be a druggie. I have been told that he was an orphan who
grew up on the streets on Buenos Aires, clowning, juggling and boxing
to make a living. They say he couldn't read, and although this is
probably true, he was a VERY quick study and could learn anything he
set his mind to.

He was an amazing mimic. I remember walking down the streets of
Manhattan with him and moment by moment he would become the person who
had just passed us. He could immediately take on the aspect of anyone
who caught his attention.

I believe he was not appreciated enough for his amazing ability as a
dancer. The first tim eI met him was back in Buenos Aires at La
Confiteria Ideal in 1994. He was dancing with Rebecca Schulman, late,
late at night when the place was almost empty. It was an eye opening
experience. And I will never forget the night in New York at one of
Daniel and Marias milongas when he and Rebecca danced to "Huracan". It
was mesmerizing.

I also remember one night at "El Beso" when I complained to Omar that
the music was boring to me. He said "I'll show you this music". All of
a sudden, dancing with him, the music came alive. I heard things I had
never heard before and will probably never hear again. This is what a
real dancer can give to a partner. He was a dancer.

Robin