The workshops were rigorous, technically challenging, but carefully taught, with the expectation that by the end of the 1 ½ hours we would have mastered enough to take it away and work on it. That expectation was clear. They will return in March and again next October and the curriculum will develop, keep up, or quit. A centre for excellence developing in one of the most unassuming cities in the UK, Birmingham, the land that tango forgot.
It was absorbing, challenging, but as clear and natural as teaching a child to walk, step by step, peeling off unnecessary habits and shaping the body’s ability to move and respond to movement. I felt as if I was rediscovering tango,that my body had been born knowing it, but by living had forgotten. Their teaching took away the complexity and the tension, and left my body relaxed and able to dance.
There were points of fusion where new ideas released me – not need to collect the legs let the free leg be free, use the possibility to drive momentum forwards, excellent for the giro and the other dynamic moves we were given. There were points of tension where the class was called to attention and reprimanded for our shortcomings “eaten too much spaghetti?” was Javier’s quip on the 2pm Sunday milonga class where our energy was clearly down. Andrea demonstrated every kind of embrace, the energy should flow up through our arms fingers not lie limp, or dragging.. We laughed, his energy infectious.
Our etiquette at times clearly offended. That women were left to find a partner, that men did not towel down of change shirts during classes, that women who were over were left on the edge and often left out yet again.. And finally that men were rough by Javier’s standards. Each point was dealt with clearly. Men circulate and find the next partner. Women stay still. Women over sit in the middle, men then select one of the women in the middle first. Finally, he said before I return I wants to see men only classes, where men learn with men and though experiencing the force of a man, refine their lead before they ever dance with a woman. They can also maintain the element of surprise for the woman. This element is essential to Javier, mystery and surprise.
What was unique about Javier and Andrea is that they are so incredibly funny, Javier talks and expresses himself so graphically with his body that you hardly need Andreas translation to understand what he’s saying. A modern day Charlie Chaplin, with a sense for the absurd and the ability to show us the ridiculous. Javier’s occasional use of and English word triggering waves of laughter, his accent seeming so funny. Andrea’s movements were so soft and sensuous, a whisper, a scent, and technically totally flawless.
Their performance was exceptional, words are not enough. If there's a video, I'll post a link.
What was unique about Javier and Andrea is that they are so incredibly funny, Javier talks and expresses himself so graphically with his body that you hardly need Andreas translation to understand what he’s saying. A modern day Charlie Chaplin, with a sense for the absurd and the ability to show us the ridiculous. Javier’s occasional use of and English word triggering waves of laughter, his accent seeming so funny. Andrea’s movements were so soft and sensuous, a whisper, a scent, and technically totally flawless.
Their performance was exceptional, words are not enough. If there's a video, I'll post a link.
And yes the milongas buzzed, with a deep energy that drove the dancers till the very last minute Damian playing the crowd perfectly with his repertoire and skill… A maestro not to be over looked
