Lexa's Interview with Tango Recuerdo

 

Did you miss Lexa's interview with Tango Recuerdo?
No worries, it is in the archives already!! Check it out!!
http://www.recuerdoradio.com/wp-content/uploads/audio/Lexa%20Rosean%20English.mp3
http://www.recuerdoradio.com/wp-content/uploads/audio/Lexa%20Rosean%20Spanish.mp3

Goose and Gander

Ok, maybe it's just me, but if a fella invites me to dance,
I expect him to lead.

This week in the milongas, I've had a lot of guys running after me on the dance floor, waving their arms, jumping up and down in front of my face and yelling: 'Oh pick me! Pick me! Lead me!".
Is this a new technique? Should the ladies employ it as well to get dances? No offense guys but if a lady tried to corner me like that I'd run away too. Call me old fashioned but I prefer the cabeceo and I practice it as both a leader and a follower. If you gents want to follow, you should let yourselves in for the WHOLE experience and that includes wallflowering. I want you to sit and bat your eyelashes at me or wink from across the room and wait for my nod of the head. I want to find you with my eyes when the music is right for you to be in my arms. As far as I'm concerned, inviting someone to dance when you intend to lead is like offering a ride. Inviting someone to dance when you intend to follow is like asking for one. Call me a bull headed macha, but that's how I see it.
p.s. I also like my followers in heels!

Tango Police

Most of us are aware of the tango codas. I would like to discuss one in particular - that of dancing only one tanda per partner and then clearing the dance floor during the cortina. This is a wonderful rule that is widely practiced in Bs As and partially practiced here in NYC. By partially I mean that it is very rare for NYers to clear the dancefloor but for the most part they enjoy changing partners frequently. For many years, I observed both parts of this coda but these days I often prefer to dance deep into the night with the same partner(s). There are others who prefer to do the same. Not everyone wants to CHANGE PARTNERS at the drop of a cortina. I firmly believe that rules are made to be broken but my concern and frankly objection is that it has now come to my attention THE WAY in which this coda is being broken.
I have been informed that some men use tricks to hold a coveted female dancer during the cortina. By tricks, I mean the use of clever dialogue and repartee, the telling of an engaging story to distract the unsuspecting and polite fairer of the species until the next tanda begins and he immediately dances her away. I have even witnessed this technique myself first hand. It was practiced on my by a woman who also clasped my forearms and held my gaze while telling me a bit of compelling gossip during the cortina. I found myself trapped at the end and forced to continue dancing with her. By tricks, I mean handcuffing and sealing the partner in an oversized Leche Can filled with water and then locked inside a wooden chest. The poor woman, being no Houdini is forced to hold her breath until the announcements and exhibition signal her release. One should not have to be a good escape artist to end a dance. If the lady wants to leave your arms, you need to behave like a gentleman and let her go. You know how the saying goes: If you love to dance with her, set her free. If she looks for your cabeceo again , she's yours. If she doesn't, she never was.
I myself practice the estilo of making an inquiry at the start of each cortina to find out whether the lady would like to continue with me into the next tanda. I want to make sure she is having as good a time as I. I want the feeling to be mutual. Not forced. Or continued out of politeness.

So, now these dirty tricks have been exposed. Please discontinue the practice of them. It will be better to spend your time with more simple virtues like developing the connection and musicality of your dance - for only then will she beg to stay in your arms.