Monthly Archives: September 2011

The Psychotangology of Everyday Life

Posted on September 28, 2011 by

Bum-bum-bum, bum-bum-bum ba! My pulse accelerates as I tap along the platform in little hurried steps to the accompaniment of the triplets in what is perhaps the most romantic of all tangos. A sleek-nosed Eurostar train watches with Gallic nonchalance … Continue reading →

Posted in Fresedo, Musicality, Orchestras, Solo technique practice | 6 Comments

Marathoners

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

My first impressions are of a group who are overwhelmingly youthful, slender, dynamic and attractive, a kind of jeunesse dorée of the European tango scene. I estimate their median age at 33 (which I consider young). As I think of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Decorations, European versus Argentine tango customs, Multiple tandas with the same leader, Tango marathons | Tagged | 16 Comments

Taking the red pill*

Posted on September 12, 2011 by

How did I find myself here? Strange music is sounding, with a wailing falsetto singer and a powerful, thumping beat. In the semi-darkness, I can make out the shapes of bodies, moving in a way which seems somehow strangely familiar. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bad dancing, Biagi, Malerba, Orchestras | Tagged | 33 Comments

Water, water everywhere

Posted on September 8, 2011 by

From my prime position next to the fan, I watch the sweating dancers, feeling like a cool dry wallflower growing on the edge of a swamp. A white shirt has turned as transparent as tissue paper against a leader’s back, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sweat, Tango marathons, The Hamburg Tango Marathon | 10 Comments

A Tale of Three Leaders

Posted on September 6, 2011 by

“Really? You are still happy to continue?” he asks. I am biting my bottom lip slightly to tame the grin which threatens to stretch out to idiotic widths. “Well, OK then, let’s dance to the point of exhaustion.” Outside, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Multiple tandas with the same leader, Tango marathons, The embrace, The Hamburg Tango Marathon | 2 Comments