In spite of the pouring rain, a large and enthusiastic crowd turned out to welcome Luis Ramirez and Analia Careno, who performed for us last night. This lovely couple charmed the hell out of us and then performed two beautiful tangos and a milonga. The crowd loved them.

You can get more of them at Hudson Dance Studios in Edgewater, where they are available to teach private and group lessons.  They also run a milonga on the second and fourth Friday of the month.  This includes tomorrow night, October 12.  Find more at  https://www.hudsondancestudio.com/

Hi everyone, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. We’re into Week Five of our examination of the qualities I think you need in order to become a good Tango dancer. Check out our list below:

1.      Commitment

2.      Patience

3.      Perseverance

4.      Humility

5.      A good sense of humor

6.      A good teacher

7.      Money

8.      Natural ability

Today, we’re going to look at a quality that I believe is absolutely crucial to your learning process, and that is a good sense of humor.

Some of you may not believe this now, but dancing is fun, or at least it’s supposed to be. When people get together to dance socially, they do so because they want to enjoy themselves. I often tell my students that dancing is really what we might refer to as “escapist lunacy.” It’s a way of putting aside what can often be the serious trials and troubles of everyday life, and giving yourself a well earned break.

The problem is that some of us take the process of learning how to dance much too seriously. For such people, it becomes another job. To be honest, I sympathize with that point of view. Personally, I think of social dancing (at least at a high level) as an art form. And to get to that level of proficiency, you have to work very long and hard.

But …

And here’s the big but. I think it’s essential that you treat the entire process with a very healthy sense of humor. While you’re learning, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes. While you’re practicing, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes. While you’re dancing, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes. There’s just no getting around it. Mistakes are an integral, unavoidable part of getting better. I make major mistakes in my own dancing all the time. This used to make me angry with myself, with my partners, with the world. But these days — since I’ve discovered the humor that I think all of us need to apply to the process — I just laugh it off, and keep on keepin’ on.

Have you heard stories like this? A leader suddenly stops dancing with his partner in the middle of a dance, tells her she doesn’t know what she’s doing (or some other gut-wrenching insult), and walks off the floor. A follower refuses to accept a dance with a leader, because she doesn’t know whether he’s up to her level?

Really? Can you for one second believe that there are people in our Tango community who actually behave in this utterly barbaric manner? Is it possible you’ve been a victim of such vicious atrocities? Is it possible you yourself may have been a perpetrator?

There is absolutely, unequivocally, no rational justification for this kind of unmitigated meanness on the dance floor.

EVER!

A potential antidote to this misanthropic nonsense is what we’ve been talking about today — a well-developed sense of humor. Take a deep breath, recognize that even though learning to dance is difficult, in the long run, folks, it’s only dancing. For most of us, life can be really hard.  But dancing? Come on, everyone. Dancing is a way to kick out the blocks, and enjoy ourselves for a change. Please don’t let dancing become yet another reason to take out our frustrations on other people.

When in distress on the dance floor, loosen up those facial muscles, and smile, giggle, laugh out loud. Let your sense of humor guide your mood. You’ll be much the better for it. And so will everyone else around you.

Now, you can download Fran and Pat’s exclusive Tango Workshop Video Collection to your computer or handheld device.

If you’ve ever attended one of our Tango Workshops, you know just how much fun they are, how much solid information they offer, and how important each one can be to your progress as a social Tango dancer!

·      Starting now, you can access any technique, any figure from any or all of these great Workshops anytime, anywhere – all at a single click.

·      You can call up your favorite Tango moves whenever and wherever you want to see them.

·      All you have to do is to download Fran and Pat’s Workshop Videos to you PC or handheld device, and you’re good to go.

Check out our Web site to find out more about our exclusive Tango Workshop Video Collection. It’s quick; it’s easy; it’s priceless!

Download Now: www.franchesleigh.com/videos

QUESTIONS? Send Fran an email https://www.franchesleigh.com/contact/

If you only take one workshop this year, MAKE SURE THIS IS THE ONE!

·      Discover the 5 crucial techniques for effectively entering the Crossed System.

·      Build a powerful personal vocabulary of Crossed System movements and figures.

·      Unlock the essential Crossed System ocho/molinete connection

·      Explore the 3 primary Crossed System salidas.

·      Enhance your Crossed System skills with the very best selection of adornments

Only $40 for 3 hours of Crossed System bliss!

Sunday, October 21st, 2018

12:30 -- 3:30 p.m.

Pearl Studios

500 8th Avenue

(between 35th and 36th Streets)

12th Floor, Room 1206

REGISTER NOW at franchesleigh.com through Saturday, October 20

$45 per person at the door on Sunday, October 21st.

Checks and cash accepted. No refunds. No exchanges.

All levels welcome.  No partner required.