Fancy Dancy Weekend

To Argentine tango or not to Argentine tango, that is the question.

I think.... not! Not right now, at least. On Saturday night, Caspian and I went to a performance of the Free Spirits Ensemble, which is comprised of talented musicians who live in the area, all of them from prestigious schools with experience in competitive orchestras and symphonies. My piano teacher is an accompanist and soloist with the ensemble, which featured breathtaking viola and violin solos, a classical guitar duet and others by Astor Piazzolla - whom (correct grammar?) I'm convinced was a genius. He was the father of nuevo tango - an amazing fusion of classical, jazz and tango that is just ---! Milonga en Re was, seriously, one of the most beautiful pieces of music that I have ever heard. If you listen to any song today, listen to that one. Sad, sweet, tortured.

There was another Piazzolla masterpiece performed that I should link - Oblivion. Mesmerizing. Turn out the lights, put your studio headphones on, center yourself, breathe twice, and become it. But don't listen to either one too much. Keep them as surprising and fresh and dripping with honeyed sorrow and mellow anguish as they were the first time you heard them.

The entire concert was performed while the audience was seated at candlelit tables, and Argentine tango dancers from Tangophilia did a demonstration to an ensemble piece at the end. They taught a lesson after the performance, and I soon discovered that my tango experience was for naught; I was told to loosen up, "drape," and drop my frame - a frame which I've spent hours and hours practicing. Very intimate and sensual. It was fascinating and probably addictive, I think.

It was a huge contrast with my experience today at three back-to-back lessons with Glenn Weiss, two-time World Champion and Blackpool Champion, among numerous other prestigious titles. A pair of ballroom aficionados in the area have a private ballroom in their home, and they occasionally host standard champions from around the world, who teach private and group lessons there. I took international waltz, Viennese waltz and international tango. I cannot believe how much of these three dances came so naturally to me, even after a year and a half. I felt like my frame was as good or better than any of my classmates, my connection was strong, and my figures were well-executed. I had a fabulous time. I think my desire for excellence in standard has been reignited!