A big thank you to Richard Ariza!

It was just another night – just another great night – at Firehouse Tango, thanks in no small measure to the absolutely sensational music of our dear friend and DJ, Richard Ariza. Firehouse regulars look forward to Richard’s visits, because we know his music is going to keep us out of our seats with those feet on the dance floor – all night long! Thanks, Richard, we want to welcome you back the first chance we get!

Sue Dallon and our traveling Firehouse Buenos Aires group will be back this coming Thursday to tell tales of fun and frolic in the milongas of B.A. Come join us for an evening of great music, great friends, and non-stop dancing excitement.

The Turi report

The Firehouse Clean-up team struck again last week. Terri led the charge and the battle against disarray was over in no time. Her faithful troops were:

·      Barbara

·      Georgina

·      Elena S

·      Elena T

·      Mike Porro

·      Steve M

·      Steve T

·      Tsipoyra

·      Raphael

·      Hilda

"Well Done!" and thanks to all.

Tango tip of the week

Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. One of the things that makes social Tango a very simple dance -- I mean, a very difficult dance -- No, I mean a simple -- difficult -- oh, forget it. What I'm trying to say here is that in social Tango, individual elements are led and followed one at a time from beginning to end. A step, a weight change, a pivot -- any of these elements, to mention only a few, is carefully isolated and lovingly implemented through the precise lead/follow mechanism -- before any other element is attempted. In other words, we get to the end of one thing before we even think about trying another.

Right? This is the way you dance, right?

You don't just start running around the room like a house on fire, when the music starts -- without thinking about what you're doing. As a leader, you don't pay attention exclusively to that complicated YouTube. or other performance-oriented figure you're trying to get yourself through,

Keeping your follower constantly off balance

Convincing her that she just might not manage to finish this dance without falling down.

As a follower, you don't take two, three or four steps, when his lead is telling you that he's just asked for one.

And neither of you ever leans on or clings to the other for any reason.

Right?

Of course not. Both of you are accomplished social tango dancers. You take Tango very seriously, and treat it with the utmost approbation. You're working diligently in your classes, your crucial private lessons (with that knowledgeable teacher), and your focused practice sessions to make even the most discerning milonguero/a in Buenos Aires proud of your efforts. And perhaps more importantly, you bring all your developing skills -- not to mention, your ongoing respect -- to your partner in every dance, your partner who -- you can be completely confident -- is, without question, working on the same things you are, and with whom you can therefore share the mutual realization of this wonderful social art form.

Right?

It may come as a shock to you ... take a deep breath ... but I happen to know that there are people out there, people in our "community," who do not treat their involvement in Tango in this way. (Yes, I know: One is so very reluctant to believe, to accept, even to contemplate such an unpleasant possibility. And yet we must face the inevitable fact that, ultimately, it is true.) With my own eyes, I have borne witness to leaders who have never bothered to learn the fundamental principles of leading. I have been exposed to followers who apparently feel that following is an attempt to out-think their leaders rather than responding skillfully to a precisely-honed lead. I have seen that there are in our midst leaders who -- perish the very thought -- do not invite their hapless followers to limit themselves to one movement at a time!!

I will not dignify this gentle missive with further expurgation on the unsavory deportment I have personally beheld. (No doubt, you have as well.) Suffice it to say, there is in the final analysis but one word to describe such aberrant conduct. And that word, dear friends, is ...

Oy!

Yes, oy! How else can one respond?

Do you know someone who's Tango may tend to elicit such comment among the cognoscenti? Can you imagine the feeling of utter disgrace they must be experiencing? Make it your responsibility -- yes, your mission -- to tell them immediately -- after all, these people are your friends -- that they simply must take whatever measures may be necessary in order to alter their behavior right now before things get any worse.

Please muster the courage to take action without delay. We're all depending on you.

Saturdays with Fran and Pat at Pearl Studios