Tango is not only a fascinating dance but also a fascinating philosophy, culture and lifestyle. The search of tango is the search of connection, love, fellowship, unity, harmony and beauty, i.e., an idealism that is not consistent with the dehumanizing reality of the modern world. The world divides us into individuals, but tango unites us into a team, community and species. In tango we are not individualists, feminists, nationalists, Democrats, Republicans, etc., but interconnected and interdependent members of the human family. Tango calls us to tear down the walls, to build bridges, and to regain humanity through altruism, connection, cooperation, accommodation, and compromise. It is a dance that teaches the world to love.

October 29, 2009

Mirta


At Milonga de los Consagrados a woman caught my attention. Her body is so flexible that she can turn her hips over 90 degree against her upper body. In such twisted posture she can step in any direction while her torso is connected to her partner.

When doing front ocho, her upper body and lower body seemed dissociated completely. She swiveled her hips 45 degree and took a step to one side of her partner, then swiveled her hips 135 degree and took another step to the other side of her partner. In doing so she kept her torso attached to his torso and only turned her hips side to side. At the end of the ocho sequence she always over turned her hips a bit and let her free leg stylishly bent in front of her standing leg, and then turned her hips back to face the man and release the bending leg. She did so with style. No matter how complex the movement seemed, she executed it with ease. No matter how fast the music sounded, she remained unhurried, giving herself time to complete the movement and still managed to keep the beat. She has an extraordinary musicality.

I liked the way she danced and wanted to dance with her, so I gazed at her. Finally I caught her attention. As our eyes met I cabeceoed her and she noded back. I stood up and walked towards her, keeping my eyes at her all the way until I was standing in front of her. She gave me a smile, stood up and walked into my arms. We started to dance.

She is an incredible dancer, light, followed perfectly, as if she knew in advance how I wanted her to do every step. Every time I led her to do an ocho, I gave her extra time to show her style. We danced in perfect harmony. When we finished the tanda she said she wanted me to have her card. I walked her back to her seat. She took out a card from her purse and handed it to me. On it printed “Mirta Mark, Profesora Nacional de Danzas”. “Let me know where you will be,” she said, “so we can dance again.”

We danced again a few days later at Club Gricel. She didn’t feel very well that night, but she came anyway because I was leaving Buenos Aires next day. Unfortunately the floor was too crowded on that Saturday night and we couldn’t dance the way we would like to. I sent her an email to say goodbye the next morning. In her response she wrote, “These things do not happen every day… If you think the same way, let’s continue to write… and who knows, we may again have the opportunity, in Argentina or USA, to enjoy our dance and maybe an exquisite dinner…”

I miss that wonderful tanda with her and am looking forward to dancing with her again someday.



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