Terri Lopez Birthday Tomorrow, September 14 |
Terri, who has become so indispensable that I say in all seriousness that Firehouse Tango could not exist without her, will celebrate her birthday tomorrow, Thursday, September 14th.
We will invite the Firehouse Tangueros to show our most loyal Firehouse
friend EVER just how much we all appreciate her - and they most surely will. Not sure who will start the birthday tango, but I know that an endless stream of Firehouse Tangueros will cut in, dancing to Di Sarli's Junto a tu Corazon and Tu el Cielo y Tu.
Sue (me) will bring the delicious cake with Terri's picture on top.
Terri Lopez has been a part of the Firehouse
family since our first days at Paramus Firehouse # 4, and we look forward to many more birthday celebrations with her.
September 5th Newsletter by Fran Chesleigh |
Happy birthday, Tsipoyra!
The Firehouse was in full festivity mood last week as we joined together to celebrate the birthday one of our favorite milongueras, our very
own Tsipoyra! With Sue Dallon away for the week, our milonga was wonderfully hosted by Terri Lopez and Steve Turi, who kept things humming with excitement and efficiency throughout the evening.
In Sue’s absence, we were treated to the music of one of the absolutely best DJs anywhere, the great Richard Ariza! Richard never ceases to amaze with his unique choices of music for our dancing pleasure. And Tsipoyra enjoyed her moment in the spotlight, with our Firehouse
milongueros lined up to join in for her birthday dance.
Next week, we’ll be celebrating the birthday of another Firehouse favorite, the one and only Terri Lopez. Please join us for what we’re sure will be a great evening of socializing, dining, and dancing fun. We’ll see you then!
The Turi report
Inspired by Richard Ariza’s fabulous music and by our fearless leader
Terri, the Firehouse team had the hall spic and span in seemingly no time. Kudos to:
Steve M Barbara L Hilda Rafael Lynn
G Tsipoyra Nina Pearl Steve T Terri L
Thank you all for all you do.
--- Steve Turi
Tango Tip of the Week
 Hi everyone, Fran here with your Tango
Tip of the Week. Two of the most common frustrations people express to me about Tango are:
“This is the hardest dance I’ve ever tried to learn,” “I just can’t seem to remember the steps.”
Today, I’d like to address the second of these statements. One of the very first guiding principles (which at the time felt more like a very-hard-to-take proclamation) my teachers used to throw at me during my early Tango studies — often
with great fanfare — was what then sounded to me like utter nonsense. They would say: “There are no steps in Tango.”
“Oh yeah, right, give me a break,” I thought. “There are more steps in Tango than in any dance I’ve ever been exposed to. Who do they think they’re kidding?”
Well, let me tell you — let me fess up — after years and years of studying and teaching this dance, I’ve finally come to realize what they were talking about. And I now find
myself telling my own students (knowing what effect this will have on them initially):
“There are no steps in Tango.”
Sort of like “There’s no Santa Claus, no Easter Bunny, and no treasure chest filled with gold at the end of the rainbow.” But let’s take a deep breath, and try to figure out just what the idea of “no steps” really means. Social Tango is an improvised dance. The skilled leader literally
creates the dance as he/she progresses from one fundamental movement to the next. Assuming that the leader has a solid grasp of lead/follow (a skill set that can take many years — if not a lifetime — to master), he/she uses the fundamental vocabulary of movement to accomplish this improvisation. This vocabulary consists of six elements: the pause, the weight change in place, the side step, the forward step, the backward step, and the pivot.
So let’s change our mind a bit
about the idea of no steps. Instead, we’ll assert that there are actually six of them. Here they are again, for emphasis:
1. The pause (la pausa) 2. The weight change in place (el cambio de peso en su lugar) 3. The side step (el paso al lado or el paso
costado) 4. The forward step (el paso adelante) 5. The backward step (el paso atras) 6. The pivot (el pivoteo)
(I’m including the Spanish terminology here to help, when you find yourself studying with Argentine teachers — or like the idea of flagrantly tossing around your profound knowledge of Tango
schtick.)
With this basic vocabulary, a skilled leader can create a virtually unlimited variety of simple and/or ridiculously complex (YouTube-worthy) material. And because he/she is constructing such sequences in the moment — rather than as a result of prior conceptualization, intense bouts of memorization, and months of focused practice — such sequences can be said to fall nicely into the overriding principle of no steps in Tango. Just
remember the six essential elements of movement, oh yes, and how to lead/follow them, and you’ve got it made.
Right?
Well, okay, you’ve uncovered a little glitch in the theory. How can anyone — even the most advanced dancer — pull off some of those really outrageously complicated sequences we love to watch (and maybe try to execute) without lots and lots of upfront practice? The answer, of course, is that
they can’t. We might pretend this isn’t true, but it is. So how do we reconcile the concept of no steps with the annoying reality of lots and lots and lots of them?
My solution to this dilemma is my little “back pocket” secret. When I dance social Tango, I improvise. I rely on the moment to tell me what to do. I let my follower’s comfort, the finite needs of lead/follow, and the music guide me from the beginning of the
dance to the end. And every once in a great while — not often, mind you — I dip into my back pocket, and pull out an extravagant, unabashedly show-me-whatcha-got, can-you-handle-this-action tidbit for the admiration, edification, and — let’s face it — awe of anyone who happens to be within drooling distance.
Wham!
I firmly believe that we all need a little awe in our lives, don’t you? I mean, of course, awe which is directed
like a laser beam at us.
Other than these occasional flights of fancy, I pretty much stick to improvisation — the meat and potatoes of the dance. And that’s just what I hope you’ll do, too. Get yourself really, I mean really skilled at leading/following the basic elements of social Tango. Don’t settle for anything less. I know you have it in you.
And then, once in a great while, when the moment is just right,
reach into your back pocket, and pull out a miracle.
Wham!
Fran and Pat’s Guided Saturday Practica at Dardo Galletto
The longest-running and friendliest practica in NYC! Come join our happy group of social tango dancers, whose sole purpose is to enjoy dancing and to practice what they’re learning. Everyone dances! Essential Tango Therapy! Pat
and I will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and help you with material you’re working on. Plus you get a new “must-have” move each week! No partner required, all levels. Dardo Galletto Studios, 151 West 46 th Street, 11 th floor, (bet. 6 th & 7 th Aves) www.franchesleigh.com
Firehouse Tango at Twin Door Tavern (formerly Victor's Maywood Inn) on Thursday, September 21st |
On Thursday, September 21st, Firehouse Tango will be at the Twin Door Tavern (formerly Victor's Maywood Inn), less than a mile from The Knights of Columbus. The time and schedule is the same as always. The place will change, the price will be lower, and you CANNOT bring wine. Please order something from the
menu.
Twin Door Tavern - Victor's Maywood Inn 122 W. Pleasant Avenue
Maywood, N.J. 07607-1235
(201) 843-8022 http://www.twindoortavern.com/index.html Thursday, September 21st 7:00 - 7::30 : Basic tango lesson with Fran Chesleigh 7:30 - 8:30 :
Intermediate tango lesson with Fran Chesleigh
8:30 - 11:00 PM Milonga
Admission is only $10 and includes lessons and milonga. The Twin Door Tavern has an excellent menu and bar. We encourage you to try both. Please do not bring wine.
For additional information, call Sue at
201-825-1570
DIRECTIONS TO TWIN DOOR TAVERN - VICTOR'S MAYWOOD INN -
FROM KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HALL - GOING TOWARDS MAYWOOD AVE Start going northwest on Grove Avenue towards Elm St to Maywood Avenue. Make a left on Maywood Avenue. Take the 3rd right onto W Passaic St. Go .3 miles and turn right onto Lincoln Avenue. Go .08 miles and turn right onto West
Pleasant Avenue. Victor's Maywood Inn is on the right at 122 W Pleasant Avenue (two-way street with a middle divider). ROUTE 17, NORTH
Exit at the Passaic Street, Rochelle Park - Maywood Exit. Go right on Passaic Street towards Maywood. Continue on Passaic Street about 5 blocks to Spencer Joseph Way. Make left onto Spencer Joseph Way and proceed to our parking lot on left.
ROUTE 17, SOUTH
Exit onto Route 4,
East, and follow directions for Route 4, East.
GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, NORTH
Exit after the Bergen Toll Plaza at Exit 160. Make a right onto Passaic Street (towards Maywood) about 1 1/4 miles, to Spencer Joseph Way. Make left onto Spencer Joseph Way and proceed to our parking lot on left.
GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, SOUTH
Take Exit 163 onto Route 17, South, in Paramus and exit onto Route 4, East, and follow directions for
Route 4 East.
ROUTE 4, EAST
Exit in Paramus at Spring Valley Road, Oradell / Maywood Exit. Continue toward Maywood on Spring Valley Road to West Pleasant Avenue. Make a left onto West Pleasant Avenue (two-way street with a middle divider). Victor's Maywood Inn is on the right about 2 1/2 blocks.
ROUTE 4, WEST
Take the Paramus exit. Exit is after the underpass and marked "Bergen Mall Entrance". At the end of the exit
make a right onto Forest Avenue. Forest Avenue will turn into Maywood Avenue, continue south on Maywood Avenue to West Pleasant Avenue (at light). Make right onto West Pleasant Avenue (two-way street with a middle divider). Victor's Maywood Inn is on the left about 3 blocks.
ROUTE 80, EAST
Exit 62 to the Garden State Parkway North and follow the directions for the Garden State Parkway, North
ROUTE 80, WEST
Exit 63A
to Route 17 North and follow directions for Route 17, North.
Jewish New Year Dinner Milonga September 28 |
Jewish New Year Dinner Milonga September
28th |
As is our tradition during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, some of our tangueros judeos will bring traditional holiday food for our Firehouse friends Thursday, September 28th.. You don't have to be Jewish to contribute and it's not too late, so let me know if you'd like to make something. Just send an e mail to firehousetango@gmail.com The schedule for the evening will be as normal, including dinner (traditional and spectacular), lessons, and dancing.
Here is what we have so far for this ethnic feast (You will note that there are some honorary Jews among the contributors):
Sue Dallon
brisket, carrots, potatoes string beans probably turkey
Apples and honey from Joe's bees
Mike Porro Salad with bitter herbs
Judy Assisi Drunken fruit
Marion Levine Salt Noodle
Kugel
Eva Roth Lamb stew
Lucille Krasne Sweet Noodle kugel
Georgina Blitzer Kasha varnishkas (bowtie noodles and buckwheat
groats) and honey cake
George Ngo Chopped liver Happy birthday, Tsipoyra!
The Firehouse was in full festivity mood last week as we joined together to celebrate the birthday one of our favorite milongueras, our very own Tsipoyra! With Sue Dallon away for the week, our milonga was wonderfully hosted by Terri Lopez and Steve Turi, who kept things humming with excitement and efficiency throughout the evening.
In Sue’s
absence, we were treated to the music of one of the absolutely best DJs anywhere, the great Richard Ariza! Richard never ceases to amaze with his unique choices of music for our dancing pleasure. And Tsipoyra enjoyed her moment in the spotlight, with our Firehouse milongueros lined up to join in for her birthday dance.
Next week, we’ll be celebrating the birthday of another Firehouse favorite, the one and only Terri Lopez. Please join us for what we’re sure will be a
great evening of socializing, dining, and dancing fun. We’ll see you then!
The Turi report
Inspired by Richard Ariza’s fabulous music and by our fearless leader Terri, the Firehouse team had the hall spic and span in seemingly no time. Kudos to:
Steve M Barbara
L Hilda Rafael Lynn G Tsipoyra Nina Pearl Steve T Terri L
Thank you all for all you do.
--- Steve
Turi
Tango Tip of the Week
Hi
everyone, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. Two of the most common frustrations people express to me about Tango are:
“This is the hardest dance I’ve ever tried to learn,” “I just can’t seem to remember the steps.”
Today, I’d like to address the second of these statements. One of the very first guiding principles (which at the time felt more like a very-hard-to-take proclamation) my teachers used to throw at me
during my early Tango studies — often with great fanfare — was what then sounded to me like utter nonsense. They would say: “There are no steps in Tango.”
“Oh yeah, right, give me a break,” I thought. “There are more steps in Tango than in any dance I’ve ever been exposed to. Who do they think they’re kidding?”
Well, let me tell you — let me fess up — after years and years of studying and teaching this dance, I’ve finally come to realize what
they were talking about. And I now find myself telling my own students (knowing what effect this will have on them initially):
“There are no steps in Tango.”
Sort of like “There’s no Santa Claus, no Easter Bunny, and no treasure chest filled with gold at the end of the rainbow.” But let’s take a deep breath, and try to figure out just what the idea of “no steps” really means. Social Tango is
an improvised dance. The skilled leader literally creates the dance as he/she progresses from one fundamental movement to the next. Assuming that the leader has a solid grasp of lead/follow (a skill set that can take many years — if not a lifetime — to master), he/she uses the fundamental vocabulary of movement to accomplish this improvisation. This vocabulary consists of six elements: the pause, the weight change in place, the side step, the forward step, the backward step,
and the pivot.
So let’s change our mind a bit about the idea of no steps. Instead, we’ll assert that there are actually six of them. Here they are again, for emphasis:
1. The pause (la pausa) 2. The weight change in place (el cambio de peso en su lugar) 3. The side
step (el paso al lado or el paso costado) 4. The forward step (el paso adelante) 5. The backward step (el paso atras) 6. The pivot (el pivoteo)
(I’m including the Spanish terminology here to help, when you find yourself studying with Argentine teachers — or like the idea of flagrantly tossing
around your profound knowledge of Tango schtick.)
With this basic vocabulary, a skilled leader can create a virtually unlimited variety of simple and/or ridiculously complex (YouTube-worthy) material. And because he/she is constructing such sequences in the moment — rather than as a result of prior conceptualization, intense bouts of memorization, and months of focused practice — such sequences can be said to fall nicely into the overriding principle
of no steps in Tango. Just remember the six essential elements of movement, oh yes, and how to lead/follow them, and you’ve got it made.
Right?
Well, okay, you’ve uncovered a little glitch in the theory. How can anyone — even the most advanced dancer — pull off some of those really outrageously complicated sequences we love to watch (and maybe try to execute) without lots and lots of upfront practice? The answer,
of course, is that they can’t. We might pretend this isn’t true, but it is. So how do we reconcile the concept of no steps with the annoying reality of lots and lots and lots of them?
My solution to this dilemma is my little “back pocket” secret. When I dance social Tango, I improvise. I rely on the moment to tell me what to do. I let my follower’s comfort, the finite needs of lead/follow, and the music guide me from
the beginning of the dance to the end. And every once in a great while — not often, mind you — I dip into my back pocket, and pull out an extravagant, unabashedly show-me-whatcha-got, can-you-handle-this-action tidbit for the admiration, edification, and — let’s face it — awe of anyone who happens to be within drooling distance.
Wham!
I firmly believe that we all need a little awe in our lives, don’t you? I mean, of course, awe
which is directed like a laser beam at us.
Other than these occasional flights of fancy, I pretty much stick to improvisation — the meat and potatoes of the dance. And that’s just what I hope you’ll do, too. Get yourself really, I mean really skilled at leading/following the basic elements of social Tango. Don’t settle for anything less. I know you have it in you.
And then, once in a great while, when the moment
is just right, reach into your back pocket, and pull out a miracle.
Wham!
Fran and Pat’s Guided Saturday Practica at Dardo Galletto
The longest-running and friendliest practica in NYC! Come join our happy group of social tango dancers, whose sole purpose is to enjoy dancing and to practice what they’re learning. Everyone dances! Essential
Tango Therapy! Pat and I will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and help you with material you’re working on. Plus you get a new “must-have” move each week! No partner required, all levels. Dardo Galletto Studios, 151 West 46 th Street, 11 th floor, (bet. 6 th & 7 th Aves) www.franchesleigh.com
Tango in New Jersey and New York |
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