I chose it, I can’t blame anybody. I chose to move into a place where tango did not exist. I never thought that I could live without tango but I just thought that I would come up with a solution once I moved there. It kind of helped me accepting the place.
Running away from problems (or ignoring them) has never solved anything and the cold reality set in very quickly once I moved to Coventry to start a new student life at University of Warwick. No milongas in a ray of 40 miles (and even those are less frequent than monthly) and no tangueros to be seen. Damn! I emailed the local ballroom and latin dance society, “Any tangueros there?”, “No” was the answer. Damn! But then a very tantalising suggestion “do you feel you can teach it?” Damn! This wasn’t going to be good for my (3rd) degree.
I was and I still am very cautious about teaching. I always wanted to do it but I had to make sure I knew my basics really well. I don’t want to teach the bad tango. I’ve seen it being done and it ain’t nice. At all! So, to the loss of my Epidemiology lectures I sketch my Saturday classes, trying to make complete beginners understand tango dynamics without getting absolutely bored. I might as well be a rocket scientist, it would be easier!
Organising classes, milongas and trying to attract people into something that everybody thinks “it’s too difficult for me” is not easy, especially in a town whose population isn’t the most, say, latin friendly. Coventry is a melting pot of cultures, a dump of asylum seekers , an uneducated place and that makes it really difficult. It’s draining and sometime I feel that I can’t do it anymore.
But looking to the bright side of things, the plan is going well. I was very lucky Supantheress moved down to the same area and to be honest, I wouldn’t have done it without her. We were fortunate that Eleni is so enthusiastic about coming around to help us whenever we ask. But the very best thing was when our students came to the milonga we organised and, to everybody’s surprise, not only they ventured into the dance floor, they did it perfectly. Always out of the snake pit and trying to feel the music. That’s what keeps me going. That’s what keeps me sane.
12 comments:
How lovely! Well, our students are fab, just wish we had more of them!
I say we stick at it, man!
Wow. I have to hand it to the both of you: you are very courageous! I'm happy that you were able to create your own tango world in a place without tango. Now look, you've introduced this wonderful dance to others who might have never encountered it otherwise.
Someday I hope to be in your part of the world and will be very happy to dance at a milonga of your own creation. I think that's wonderful!
;-)
Thanks tangobaby!
It would be an honour to have you around! (and of course, that way I could get a tanda with you) ;o)
Well, it would have to be more than one tanda, given the distance I'll have to travel to get there. ;-) So we have a date, at some indeterminate time in the future. You never know, right?
I might even dance with you during the cortina.
And I promise not to get makeup on your shirt.
Best of luck on your new milonga! If I ever make it to Coventry, I'll swing by! Thanks also for the info on Laurenz. The orchestras are all mish-mashed in my head; I can't tell one from the other. Bad tanguera! Happy 2008!
Kudos, Koolricky! Especially the part about being aware and concerned about teaching "bad tango". Best of luck. As one coming off almost a year of not dancing, I know the pain :-)
johanna, one year without tango? how did you manage? Are you sure you're allrigh? As a scientist turned medic I'm worried!
tango goddess, as many tandas as you want to. Aye, cross the atlantic must be hard. I hope they're worth it! ;oP
tangobaby, don't worry, when you come around, i'll put a di sarli cortina! ;o)
KR - it's a long story. Not dancing was not by choice...
I was all determined to start up again tonight, but I've been sidelined with that wicked cold going around.
hey, can you get these colds over the internet? I am just hatching one! And I have a brutal exam coming soon...
Not a happy bunny!
Oh no! I don't think this bug is transferable over the internet, but who knows these days. I wish I could tell you that vitamin C and tea could cure you, but you may need some hard drugs for this one.
Get well soon!
Well, colds are a virus... don't open any attachments from people with colds :-)
we hope some day we could go to your milonga and when you are in portugal you are obliged to go to our milonga ricardo , Eh Eh Eh
hour rule is "nobody owns the tango"
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