Baby Steps

by Nancy Green

I went to my first milonga (the social dance event) with the trepidation of a beginner. But I am taking classes – so at least I’m in the process. Right?

I was well prepared with a simple checklist from my teachers:

Make sure my upper torso is facing my partner’s, no matter what my lower torso decides to do. Keep my right arm firm in the embrace so that I may feel the indication of his movement. Always walk in the line of dance, one foot directly behind the other. Slightly brush my knees and ankles together as they pass each other. Extend my leg. Hips tilted back. Lean towards my partner. Step with intention, transfer my weight, collect, resolve. All while going backwards. In heels.

Oh, and then there is dance floor etiquette.

As well as the ritual of the invitation to dance, there is also the art of ending the dance. To end a dance that you may not be enjoying for reasons such as; not being able to follow his lead, sweaty palms, blisters or the vapors, one kindly says “Thank You.”

I asked my teacher in the tango etiquette class why I would want to end a dance? After all, aren’t I there to learn and practice, good lead or bad? She suggested it was good tool to have should I ever need it.

On the dance floor, I let my first partner of the evening know that I was a beginner. To which he said: “Then you shouldn’t be here. And anyway I knew you were a beginner as soon as you took your first step.” To which I replied “Thank You.”

6 Comments to “Baby Steps”

Malcolm says:

January 22, 2012 at 3:58 pm

Nancy,
I think you’re so brave and you write so well. If I had to be able to tango or do any dance I’d still be single. I really don’t have the figure to tango but I do have the moustache.

Nancy Green says:

January 22, 2012 at 4:57 pm

Thank you Uncle Malcolm. If I am not brave now, I will never be. The figure and marriage don’t seem to have much to do with the dance. However the moustache is an advantage and all you need now are the shoes!

shawne says:

May 7, 2012 at 3:47 am

Extend, lean, transfer,brush, tilt, collect,… <> At least that’s easier than doing it frontwards in heels 🙂

shawne says:

May 7, 2012 at 4:03 am

I meant to write apropos to “All while going backwards. In heels.” At least that’s easier than going frontwards in heels.

Linda says:

February 12, 2013 at 5:05 pm

I think to be a licensed artist is to be fearless and supremely confident because you expose yourself and your child, your art to endless mindless criticism in order to make a living. But you have gained even more respect by daring to go forth as a beginner into a sea of potential cads on the chance you will have that existential moment. Brava !

- Nancy Green says:
  
  February 12, 2013 at 5:19 pm
  
  Thank you Linda. On the average, the men have been great. And if they were all fantastic, there would be less to write about! Or less amusing things to write about. I will gladly take it all.