Sunday, January 20, 2008

Third Time is the Charm

Last night I had the best milonga ever at Plaza Bohemia. It was my third consecutive Saturday night at Maipu 444 organized by Hector Pellozo y Norma Zugasti. Unlike touristy spots like Canning or La Viruta, I realized that a more traditional milonga is like a family. Some of the dancers have been coming here for decades sitting at the exactly same seat week after week. People greet each other with warmth and sometimes they squeeze in a joke here and there in between the tandas. Tango is not a beauty pageant but a pretty dress does open doors. A new guy in a suit is bound to have a better seat than one with t-shirt. Although my simple black cotton dress wouldn’t be considered as an attention getter, I did wear a more eye-catching Marilyn Monroe maroon halter dress the week before. I remember one man said “Everyone likes your dress.” “How do you know?” I asked facetiously. “Because everyone is looking at it.”

Maybe it was that, or the fact that it’s my third time here, people recognized me. The organizer welcomed me as if I am slowly becoming a part of the family. He took my hand and brought me to perhaps one of the best seats in the house, center first roll. Normally I would have changed my shoes there but for the first time I reserved that act in the lady’s room. I’m not certain if it is indeed against the traditional convention to change shoes at the milonga but I felt awkward doing it in front of all the great dancers. When I came back I sat down more calmly than usual and observed the dancers on the floor, making mental notes of people I want to dance with and which lady had the best comme il faut. Marisa Quiroga was there again sitting at her reserved seat against the long wall. I remember her as the dance partner of Eduardo Saucedo. They are both extraordinary dancers that teach together at many reputable places including the annual tango congress here in Buenos Aires. I took a class with them long time ago at Confideria Ideal. After observing her delicate foot works for three weeks I have also noticed that she must really like the color purple; it is always a part of her outfit. Marisa is very petite with waist-length dark hair and beautiful eyes outlined with darker makeup so they standout even more from her olive skin tone. She has the most elegant and precise steps with small articulate ornaments that matches perfectly with the music. She can always be seen in a form-fitting colorful knee-length dress that very well complements her figure and last night was no different than others. The second tanda I was invited by an older gentlemen with blue and white striped shirt. I was a little hesitant at first because didn’t recognize him but he turned out to be a great dancers. Half way into the milonga I found out his name was Ruben when he gave a beautiful performance of one tango and one milonga. I wish I had brought my camera with me. Amazingly, I danced with another professional milongero name Horacio, who is scheduled to perform the next week. He didn’t dance with me until much later during the milonga and was pleasantly surprised by the way I danced. He complemented me few times and I was flattered. Not trying to be modest but I am really nothing comparing to all the other experienced dancers at this milonga. I also danced with Giovanni, the tall Italian guy who sat in the back because he was wearing a very casual white shirt with yoga pants. I met him at Canning on New Years Eve when he first came here from Rome. Giovanni is a very good dancer with light lead and fun steps. I danced with “guy with the white shirt” again, even though this time he was wearing a suit. Catherine and I referred to him that way because neither one of us remembered his name. He is an excellent dancer with very clear lead. Both of us loved dancing with him. I was very happy when an older man accepted my invitation not once but twice last night. He didn’t dance much at the milonga and only danced when he hears a song he liked. I had danced a lovely set of vals with him the Saturday before when someone told me later that he is actually very picky on choosing who he dances with. This time we have become more accustomed to each other. He must have been more than 70 years old but his steps are strong and lively. You can tell to him tango is a way of life. We don’t talk much but when one song stopped he tested me by asking, “Do you know which orchestra played the last song?” I’m familiar with many tango tunes but I’m not completely sure of all the composers so I shook my head. “Troilo” he said, “muy lindo tango.” Interestingly enough there was another older gentleman name Pedro, who can’t seem to stop dancing with me. He’s good humored like a little kid and constantly flattered me with complements. Pedro was there with Alexjandro, an Argentine psychologist who lives in Seattle. We danced a set and he later walked me back to my apartment discussing about his research project on the healing aspect of tango. It was a beautiful night. I’ve ever danced with so many good dancers and now at last, I’m spoiled beyond belief.


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