Beginner Milonga Class
by Nancy Green
Last night was milonga class. Milonga, as well as being a social dance event is also a style of tango, a quicker step. A step for every beat.
I danced the first dance with my teacher. As I was stepping on his feet on every beat I said: “You know, I find the music a little peculiar and I’m not always sure where the beat is.”
He was horrified and gave me a sort of: There’s-no-hope-for-you-and-furthermore-what-the-heck-are-you-doing-here? kind of look. I had the feeling that if he could, he would have called the tango anti-defamation league to escort me out.
In spin class I can find the four count in “Party Rock Anthem” and “Sexy Bitch” more easily than music by Francisco Canaro. I’m not used to the flourishes and nuance and pauses in tango music. Yet.
I had no where to go after that but to close my eyes, feel the connection of the embrace, be assured that there was a four count somewhere and wait for his invitation to move. And we danced.
Copyright © 2012 Nancy Green
Nancy Learns the Tango 
I think the key is to close your eyes and just feel…especially since your partner is the leader. So much of your time has been spent slogging up mountains or putting the pedal to the metal in spin class…this is such a different physical nuance and I’m so impressed
Not only do I give you credit for learning the Tango, but I give you credit for blogging. Neither is for the faint of heart.
I am an old fellow who has been writing for a long, long time. I have the mild hope that age will, as it has for so many painters, writers, maybe most everybody, somehow lead me to strip away the damn decorations and finally listen to Pascal, who said “the adjective is the enemy of the noun,” but it doesn’t seem to be happening. You write very well, Nancy.
Thank you Tom. I’ve always loved your adjectives. Do keep a few of them around.
I am envisioning your classes in 1940s-style cinematic black and white, and the humor of you insulting your teacher’s music is heightened tremendously when a silent movie-era look of shock is added. your writing is awesome.
Thanks Nick. I like the visual!