Argentine Tango Boot Camp 2012 by Igor Polk

Thank you dancers for participation in the party ! There was so many good dancers which ensured very nice dancing feeling. Dancing on stage is a fabulous experience, besides it is a very large professional dance floor. "Redwood Tango Ensemble" and Marcelo Solis as a DJ and a dancer ensured success. See you next time.

..Exactly, it is more obvious, but never the less it is important.
Salon is a disguised Orillero ( Nuevo for you..). It is the same dance only done as if it is not..
( Orillero is a crazy tango of suburbs, THE most popular style of tango contrary to what we were forced to think here ). Many high-brow argentineans are shy of this style that is why we know more about Salon.
Unfortunately, most do not understand it nor even know the difference. That is why we have so clumsy dancers around which never will look like Argentineans. Because, again, for Argentineans Salon is a disguised Orillero done in a softer, more refined manner. They know internals of that which they do not always are ego or able or wish to convey. Just because it is difficult. I have witnessed it.

Well, deep inside there is technical difference between Orillero and Salon. In Orillero the main driving force comes from pelvis. In Salon – from torso. Salon is more difficult. Significantly more difficult. Still pelvis must be used correctly in Salon, otherwise the dance will not work. For Orillero, torso does not have to be used at all. That is why so many Argentinean dancers look ( and feel, believe me ) like a piece of rock above the waist, which to me is not a pleasant experience at all, I have to tell you.

As for Nuevo, it is not the same like its origin – Orillero. It is full of mistakes, since it came from people who did not know tango well when they started. But those mistakes turned into opportunities allowed creation of styling and figures absent in original tango. And that became Nuevo style...

Tango Nuevo gained popularity in the world outside of Argentina because of the excellent teachers coming with this style. No one of traditional style teachers ( those who come here) came even close to that level of theoretisizing, teaching and practicing. They all either just a bunch of anecdotes, tricks or "memorize-the-figure" ( Zotto-school ) teaching styles. Oh, these Zotto-style dancers and teachers... and some others. They are all EXACTLY the same. Run away from them! Tango IS an improvisational dance. A dancer who does not do it in EVERY dance or especially a performance is not a tango dancer yet.

I understand frustration I have witnessed in many traditional argentine teachers observing nuevo dancers: they can see the technical mistakes, but are not able neither to formulate them logically nor to fix them nor to convey systematically what exactly is supposed to go in the body. And their teaching skills are a way inferior to what Nuevo teachers express at their workshops. The best what they can do: is to adhere to the strict rules and figures hoping that some day, after thousands of repetitions ( no kidding ) the enlightenment will descend on a student and he will become masterful.. Aha..

Синяя песня - ВИА Поющие гитары ( "Singing Guitars") ( Blue Song [ ? please, tell me the name if you know, it is an english song] in russian ); Their "A--p c- a-- wc - hyyywe"

Remake of a famous song by Duet W; To make such clips is a whole bunch of work as well as promote the duet. Indeed, music industry is industry not less.. I like guitar solo.

And here is the original performance: The Peanuts ( of course, they are originally not Peanuts, I do not know how to write in english russian translation from japanese. Wiki ) - The performance was a great hit which shook Europe, Soviet Union and me too. One of my most favorite songs. This song was published in Soviet Union in Japanese and translated to russian as well, I know the words. The song name might sound in english like "Koi no Vacance" or "Кои-но-Бокансу" and russian version is called "Каникулы любви".

And this is the street interpretation from a famous Soviet movie Nezhnost' ( Uzbekfilm, 1966) I am sure all of us russian immigrants are delighted to see it. Why? Would someone argue.. It is very personal. The song captures the free winds of the epoch and nostalgic experience of youth. Numerous singers performed this song.

The chapionship was good this year: we had interesting show competitors, salon dancers were good, and performance by professionals was wonderful.

Cecilia just came back from Buenos Aires. Here are some photos:

Cecilia and Juan Carlos Copes:
Ceci and Juan Carlos Copes

By the way, here is Copes with Liza Minelli dancing tango ! Would I imagined watching "Cabaret" 25 years ago back in Soviet Union that I will embrace a woman who was embraced by a man who embraced Liza Minelli !? Truly the world is tight, especially in Tango.

Cecilia and Anna Maria Shapira:
Ceci and Anna Maria Shapira

Cecilia and Tango:

A man in tango is leading, a woman is following, isn't it? We all have heard it many times.
But do we lead or just making a woman dance? Do we follow, or just making our own clumsy steps or enjoy dragging through the floor?

So what is dance? Dance is BEAUTIFUL, INTERESTING, OSCILLATING, MOVEMENTS TO MUSIC.

It is 12.12.12 today. That is the date to celebrate, isn't it? So I went to Coco's with my girlfriend specifically to celebrate this fancy date. We ordered some food, wine, beer. And that with tax came to $36.00 even. This is incredible !
Happy Holidays !

This is a very powerful idea: teaching others to dance with !
I know it works.. It seems to me most tango teachers have this idea in mind a the main cause of their teaching.
And it is most useful to come to the classes where a teacher teachers his current and future partners. That is how to choose where to go..
Of course, all such classes of Argentinean teachers are in BA..

I have found a key to Barrida !!! It took me many years of doubts and enlightenments and more time than mastering the most complex tango figure: Forward Walk.

All respectable tango teachers of the past will say like one: “wow steps are nothing”. They are no more than a tool for perfecting “simple” things or attracting beginners. I am following their way diligently. I am not able to teach “wow” steps because these “wow” steps are all done wrong if taught to beginners. I can not do this.

In fact, all “wow” steps are very easy when you know technique. They do not have to be taught at all. They just happen, if you move right. The most difficult tango figure is a forward walk “inside”, facing the partner. Forward and Backward part of it. This is what old master practice themselves diligently and for many hours. I want to give a workshop on it. Sometime. It encompasses all tango sources of movements and can be understand on-fly only by people with the most advanced body development and moving experience. All we do at our Monday class – is a preparation for the Forward Walk.

And the most difficult and important part of tango is Leading & Following skill. Absolute leading and following ! And understanding of music – its rhythm and phrasing.

Антрополог предложил детям из африканского племени поиграть в одну игру.Он поставил возле дерева корзину с фруктами и объявил, обратившись к детям: "Тот из вас, кто первым добежит до дерева, удостоится всех сладких фруктов". Когда он сделал знак детям начать забег, они накрепко сцепились руками и побежали все вместе, а потом все вместе сидели и наслаждались вкусными фруктами.
Поражённый антрополог спросил у детей почему они побежали все вместе, ведь каждый из них мог насладиться фруктами лично для себя. На что дети ответили: "Обонато". Разве возможно, чтобы один был счастлив, если все остальные грустные? "Обонато" на их языке означает: "я существую, потому что мы существуем".
Давайте держаться вместе!

One anthropologist offered children from an African tribe to play in a game. He put a basket with fruits near a tree and said to children: "Who is first to run to the tree, will get all the tasty sweet fruits!" When the run commenced, the children took their hand together and run all together. And then sit down and enjoyed the tasty fruits. Stunned anthropologist ask them, why they run together? The winner could have all the fruits for himself? The children answered: "Obonato". Which means in their language "I exist, because we all exist"..

==========
Только с возрастом, начинаешь понимать, что батин ремень был дружеским подбадривающим похлопыванием.

Only with age one starts to understand that dad's "beating with a belt" was a friendly cheering up patting.

==========
Характер человека подобен дереву, а его репутация - это всего лишь тень.
Мы постоянно заботимся о тени, но на самом деле следует думать о дереве.

A man's character is like a tree and his reputation is only its shadow.
We care about the shadow, while in fact we should think about the tree.

April 29, Sunday Today !!!
Boot camp "Theory of Argentine Tango"
by Igor Polk
(510)610-8711, ipolk@virtuar.com. www.virtuar.com/jcc/
2-6pm. 3 hours of classes+ practica, $20 for all
1077 Independence Ave., Mountain View
Igor Polk tango bootcamp link

2:00 - Workshop 1, $10
3:10 - Workshop 2, $10, Workshop 1 required
4:20 - Workshop 3, free, Workshop 2 required
5:30-6:00 Practica (as long as time allows)
Earlier workshops are prerequisite for the later ones. You must take the 1-st to get the 2-nd and 3-rd.

All workshops are not of a beginner's level and very intensive: I'd like to present as much theory as possible in this very limited time. Classes are physically challenging: we will practice everything what will be said, but alternatively, you can rest and watch. The emphasis will be given on theoretical presentation to make a complete picture what tango is as a dance.

During this time I wants to present principles of tango systematically in all its aspects: rhythms, movements, structures, elements, lead-and follow, energy and space considerations. All what makes tango tango. We also discover major difference between styles. Figures are used only to illustrate the underlying principles of tango. During this time we will learn how to construct figures in time, space and feelings.

The idea of the 3-hour boot camp found a lot of interest among my students. Other dancers are very welcome. I very appreciate your opinion, discussions.

I hope to address these questions:
"What makes tango music distinct from other music and how to express it in the dance"
"How tango figures appeared and how new figures can be constructed"
"What is lead-and-follow, how to lead with the body"
"How tango elements are produced: steps, postures, pivots, boleos, planeos, barridas, sacadas, leg-wraps, sentadas, ganchos. Is there a unifying principle?"
"What is tango turn"
"What is the role the body positions and movements in the dance."
"Tango is the dance of energy and senses, rather than steps. Ah?"
"What is the difference between major tango styles: Salon and Orillero ("Sarli and D'Arienzo") It is not 'slow' and 'fast'! "

Note that my theory is significantly more complex than tango nuevo theory and it is based on the same principles like ballet and martial arts.
The boot camp promotes big movements ( as well as addresses how to make the same movements small ) for a large visible dance.

Redwood Tango Ensemble performed at Magdalena. Check them out ! Wonderful, wonderful performance ! A relatively new group of professional musicians play with the great understanding of music. All soloists ! How about 2 violin lines? Plush bandoneon, bass, and piano. They are going to play again at Magdalena on May 4 as far as I know.

We have many good tango groups in Bay Area: Trio Garufa, performing mostly in Nuevo style, Tangonero, performing mostly in traditional style with splashes of jazz harmonies, Seth Asarnow Sexteto in perfect D'Arienzo style, as if he's got alive. Redwood Tango Ensemble stands out as a great arrangement group performing in what reminds me of Pugliese. One more interesting new group: Open Embrace lead by Lena Grozman. Surprisingly they specialize in russian and brazilian style tango music with wonderful singer soloist: Irina.

In my view, many local (US) dancers make a mistake. They think mistakenly what stage tango is. They think that whatever fancy you do will impress judges. Well, it will not ( and the results of the our last competition shows that ). Let us look what constitutes "Salon" tango. In the rules they say: "a foot must not go above a knee. A couple who allowed it, will be immediately disqualified." Something like that. And there are good reasons for this harsh requirement. Well, it means that stage dance is the dance when a foot is allowed above a knee. This is it ! This supposed to be the same dancing, Argentine Tango dancing, not something else. With just a little bit more freedom..

Congratulations to all winners ! I liked the champions, both couples, very nice dance. The last year champions performance was fantastic, and the master's dance of Patricio Touceda y Eva Lucero and Claudio Villagra y Romina Levin made everyone jump up the chairs.

Level 1 class is headed toward simple social dancing. It is not necessarily a beginner's class, but it is tailored with new people in mind. Advanced concepts are presented also when I feel this is the most productive way to enter the social dance floor.

Level 2 class is headed toward most advanced tango known to me.
Everyone can participate in both classes, depending on a role you envision for yourself.

At the practica, I am happy to practice with everyone including men and answer any of your questions. I am available till 12, use this time !

"YOGA OF TANGO
....the inside scoop!!!

Ask your self when you are dancing,...”Do I dance with my feet by placing one foot on the floor then another foot on the floor and so on and so on. Or do I dance with my body?” If you dance with your feet you might want to ask yourself, am I missing something? It does not matter what form of dance you might be engaged with because when you analyze “dance” across the board, it all gets melted down to one thing.....the body....This is what propels us through space and time. When I talk about the body, I mean the spine, hips, rib cage, head and all the muscles. Actually, this is what commands the feet and not the other way around. Knowing how to move correctly with the body is key to dancing and will give your Tango the twist it needs to be dynamic on the dance floor."

Argentine Tango USA Competition is coming ! I've been there last year and I have to tell you it is A LOT OF FUN !
So here is the information about it:

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR COMPETITORS: Attention Competitors 2011 and potencial competitors 2012!
If you are thinking of competing at our Argentine Tango Official Championship -the OFFICIAL branch in the USA of the main competition "Tango Buenos Aires Dance World Cup" that is sanctioned by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires,-, you´d better register NOW:

This year, we are being asked by the Office in Buenos Aires to submitt a preliminary CONFIRMATION of competitors to compete in Salon and/or Stage Tango categories by March 12, 2012! So get practicing and sign up soon at http://www.argentinetangousa.com/
SPECIAL FESTIVAL PASSES FOR COMPETITIORS ARE ALSO AVAILALBE.

Sign up & support the only Official Tango Event in the US: special workshops with stunning Tango Masters great milongas with show and live music in a superb venue overlooking the bay, and the first official competition in the USA sanctioned by the Ministry of Culture in Buenos Aires, Argentina + USA Official Champions 2011 and placed Third in the Word at Tamgo Buenos Aires Dance World Cup last August: Brian Nguyen & Yuliana Basjmayan will perform and crown the Champions 2012!
YOU HAVE TO BE THERE!
ATUSA TEAM 2012

A concert on Valentine's Day with Forever Tango musicians and dancers at the 10th floor of Marin Memorial Theatre and Hotel in San Francisco. Wonderful unforgettable evening. Being so close to the virtuoso musicians and tango dancers, drinking wine, dancing on the same floor, seeing friends. Thank you Raul Bravo for deciding to use only acoustic sound ! See you the next year !

Here is a short description what we are doing written by one of my dedicated students:

"THE YOGA OF TANGO

I teach correct alignment and the inner workings of your body dancing Tango. I instruct how the body works from the inside the spine and torso to the final outcome of your body moving through space. I teach from how your foot contacts the floor,... through the movement of your legs,... the position of your hips,.... the twists in your spine and to out the top of your head. I teach the technique that keeps you on your axis which is most important with Tango.

There is more to dancing Tango than the steps that you produce. I assist you in how to approach a movement to get the most power out of each movement. Knowing how the torso and hips work in tango will give you the power you need to give your dancing a dynamic quality.

I approach my classes very differently than most tango instructors. I do not teach steps rather what happens between steps rather where is the concentration focused from one step to the next. I teach what happens inside your body from one step to another. This is what really makes the difference between stepping through a dance or dancing through a step. There is much that happens in between the steps that you will discover. There is more than meets the eye when dancing and that is what will make your dancing most dynamic. I teach you to understand and take care of each step you take on the dance floor. The discovery is enlightening. There is much to learn. How you use this knowledge will give you the edge on the dance floor.

In class we dissect each movement down to its basic structure. We take all the elements apart to learn how the body, feet, legs and torso work in a given tango sequence. In the practica we use it and refine it. I teach refinement of tango which is a never ending necessity. This is the way we build and grow within the tango structure. Learning a sequence is not tango. Dancing a sequence is a different experience. With this experience a great joy comes when dancing.

What I teach does not come easy but the rewards are great. Each class I teach many important concepts that build one of top of the other. Each week there is more refinement and with this refinement comes a strengthening of the body and your dance. With time and persistence, the knowledge and experience you gain gives you the edge on the dance floor. The leaders are desired to dance with and the followers are asked to dance by the leaders that study with me. However, it takes time for the body and mind to work with my concepts.

I give one on one instruction during the practica to help you refine your technique. I encourage MEN as well as women to dance with me. I take your questions and help you understand what is important and how to produce the Tango figure you want. I dance with you and give you an experience and explanation that helps you dance in the way you envision.

I love to teach.

"This is the only way to dance tango"
agree my female students who finished an "introductory course"

The result of 12 years of research is beginning to crystallize and I invite you to jump on the bus and learn an ultimate tango. Welcome !

Because, your body will stretch and find inner energy sources. You will experience nirvana in your movements and healing effect, no doubt is there.
But this is a serious dancing course. This is Tango not really yoga. Do not expect mats, leotards, but poses will be there. Not Indian poses, but Argentinean poses. We learn Argentine tango in this high energy dancing moving class.

The answers to the question WHY have been found. Tango is tango not because of "traditions" and memorization of the certain figures, but because tango steps, movements and concepts come naturally from the well developed moving body. Everything comes together as a puzzle and forms a system. You will see that all tango elements and figures are not a fruit of an extraordinary creative imagination, but come as a logical result of our perfect body design in action.

I have received a letter from friends in Russia. Here is a little story about tango in Rostov translated to English. Rostov is an industrial center in south Russia at the Back Sea. I have been to Rostov and Krasnodar mentioned in the article.

"In Rostov tango started to develop 7 years ago. In 2005 the first club has opened with the efforts of Konstantin Kumi. Even now it is the largest one in Rostov. I came to him to take lessons in 2006 and since then I befriend with tango. We with the wife Katherine already for 6 years dance and receive from this hobby that which makes our life bright, full, and interesting. We work at our major jobs in day time and in the evenings work at our small studio where we teach people dance and continue to cognize tango x

Nowadays in Rostov there are 5 clubs (schools) of tango. The largest one is BaileVida. We learned in it and then since 2009 taught for 2 years as ones of the instructors. And since 2011 we decided to work independently.

Weekly we have 3 city milongas, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is good ! If you come to Rostov, it would be a pleasure to invite you to any of these milongas !

We with my wife often go to Sankt-Peterburg and sometimes to Moscow. They have bigger tango community there. Sometimes we come to Krasnodar [a nearby large city], they also have a lot of clubs and many good dancing people. To us, to Rostov, sometimes, for the seminars, argentinean "stars" come. That is a pleasant fact. In summer we organize complementary milongas in fresh air at the street dancing places.

We like your view on tango, and on the dance and on the dancing world. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and impressions about tango-life. Until the next letter ! "

Игорь Овсянников и Катя Чеснокова.
г. Ростов-на-Дону

In a dictionary we can find that a Molinete is a drum of a capstan or winch [Nuevo Diccionario Cuyas, Prentice Hall, US, 1972]. This is very perfect and multisided explanation of what is going on in the right turn. Looking at the picture you will find everything: direction of the turn, forces, relation among partners, twists inside a central ( man ) body, even the position of the right leg at the beginning (look at the end of the rope). Interesting that turn to the left is called Contramolinete [ most recently - Mariana Ancarola, but I've heard this term before ].

"Демократия — это когда два волка и ягненок голосуют насчет обеденного меню. Свобода — это когда хорошо вооруженный ягненок оспаривает результат такого голосования"

Argentine Tango Blog 2012