A couple of weeks ago a book title caught my eye and after reading the back cover description, I purchased "Hold Me Tight and Tango Me Home" by Maria Finn, and commenced reading. It was a fast and fascinating read.I learned a great deal about Argentine Tango and the tsunami of popularity that swept across the world, amid religious rejection, economic strife, and world wars. I'm sure "Dancing with the Stars" rekindled the most recent interest in this dance form, as well.
As fate would also have it, I happened upon a notice that there was going to be a Tango demonstration at Village Books in Fairhaven, along with a reading of the book I just finished reading, by the author herself. How could I NOT attend?
http://www.villagebooks.com/event/tango-demonstration-pre-event-maria-finns-7pm-author-event
Much to my surprise and delight, the dancers from Rebecca N's Bellingham's Tango Alive group doing the demonstration invited anyone in the audience who wanted to try a dance to come out on the dance floor. And I did ... twice! I loved it and I didn't even know what I was doing ... in front of total strangers ... and I didn't care that I didn't know what I was doing! It was invigorating and romantic!
After being emotionally charged with the Tango demonstration last night I spent a goodly portion of my Sunday online looking at Tango sites locally, in Seattle, in Vancouver BC and elsewhere. I watched scores of Tango videos on YouTube . I listened to sad, compelling music, and I found that the world’s largest collection of Tango lyrics translations is in Amsterdam. Go figure! I even subscribed to a couple of Tango blogs, one by a guy in Mulkiteo and the other a gal in Seattle. I don’t know if I’ll learn anything, but the novelty intrigues me and I'll get to know a whole new group of people!
Actually, I’m quite besot with the idea of taking Argentine Tango lessons. I know for a certainty that I don’t care for the rigid and formulaic ballroom version of Tango. I’m enamored with the close embrace, the tacit understanding and trust between leader and follower. Always one for a good story, I like that Tango is stories told in dance. What a wonderful way to promote storytelling.
I don't know where this new bedazzlement will take me, but I'm open to explore.
But life goes on, and I have other demands on my waking hours.
But life goes on, and I have other demands on my waking hours.
I did take time to stop and admire yet another Birch Bay sunset. It was a lovely day with many walkers and cyclists out along the bay, even though I personally was glued to a computer screen!
I wonder if there are any tangueros in Birch Bay or Blaine? Oh my gosh! I need dancing shoes! I need dancing apparel! Wait a minute! I haven't even signed up for class yet!
I'll let you know what happens next!
