Mariallan's Milonga, Memphis

Dance Card: Jane, Lydia, Mariallan, Michele, Pam and Sarah.

Avantango, Emory, Atlanta

Performer: Avantango Sponsor: Emory Coca-Cola Artists in Residence Venue: Schwartz Center, Emerson Concert Hall Promo: Experience modern tango with the four dancers, six musicians, and guest singer who comprise Avantango. Led by bassist and composer Pablo Aslan, the Avantango members were born in Argentina and now reside in New York. The talents of the group's individual members have been tapped for most major tango projects, including recent efforts by Yo-Yo Ma, Shakira, and Julio Iglesias. Member's successes include the Broadway hits Tango Argentino and Forever Tango and the motion picture Tango. Delights: The best show dancing I've ever seen. Tango with sax.

Alicia Pons in Atlanta

Venue: Barbara's House Workshop: Private Lesson Dance Card: Cathy from Austin Notes on postura y equilibrio: Cathy asked for a private lesson on adornments with the calesita. Alicia responded with a lesson on posture and balance. In her best broken English she says, "Up your body and your leg." She means: Stand up. Be up. Hold yourself up. You must be able to balance on one foot before you start to draw on the floor with lapis. What to do? Concentrate on postura. Don't move too fast. Lead a low slow boleo. Step but don't shuffle. Lead the calesita off a side step instead of at the cross. Put the woman on her right foot with her left foot free for adorno.

Alicia Pons in Atlanta

Venue: Studio Atlanta Dance, Studio 4 Workshops: Special Workshop for Followers: Women's Presence / The Seductive Conversation

David - Women's Workshop, Atlanta 

Alicia Pons - Women's Workshop, Atlanta - Photo by Neil Liveakos 

Chez Andre, Atlanta

Dance Card: Angie, Cathy, Elsa, Debbie, Janice, Jenifer, Sheila and Tracy.

Alicia, Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Jenny, Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Elsa, Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Cathy, Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Debbie, Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Alicia and Angel, Chez Andre - Photo by Judy Kuniansky 

Alicia Pons in Atlanta

Venue: Life Enrichment Center Workshop: Suspension and Release / Turning the corkscrew Dance Card: Alica Pons, Angel, Barbara, Cathy, Donna, Jenifer and Merideth Notes On Suspension: Suspension is a lifted moment sustaining inhalation. If you rush the step you lose the suspension. Notes on the Embrace: Come together in a warm embrace. Not brusque. I asked Alicia whether her embrace was strong intentionally. She said sometimes she gives more energy, especially during the turns. Notes on the Conversation: Tango es una conversation de cuerpo. Listen to the converstation that is the tango. In a dialogue, no one speaks by themselves. In the tango, it's the same. It's a two way conversation. When we speak, we expect the other person to listen. I like to have a conversation. Notes on Sin Corazon: If it's one way, I don't dance with him again. He may dance very well, but nothing is happening. There is no connection. There is no feeling. Sin Corazon. Notes on the Magic: Try to find the magic, not in your steps. Find the magic with feeling, with your heart. Search for Duende - the spirit of the dance. That's how I find the magic. The sensation, hopefully, to fly. Como una mariposa. You will find that magic if you look for it with open arms. Tango is a gift for the other person. Notes on Turning: The man goes around the woman. The sequence for the leader: 1. Amague. 2. Step behind your right with your left. She pivots into the cross. 3. Step side-by-side. All we have is time. Don't be too occupied making the steps too quickly. Other Notes (My notes are not adequate. I suggest you take Alicia's Classes): Lead her in a walk with her perpendicular. The sequence for the leader: 1. Do a side step as to back ocho. 2. Do change step with a weight shift. 3. Step left, thigh-to-thigh. 4. Step open, side-by-side. 5. Step left behind right. 6. Step right, continue thigh-to-thigh.

Milonga Pasional, Atlanta

Location: Piedmont Park Dance Card: Alicia Pons de Buenos Aires, Cathy from Austin, Crysta, Helen, Janette from Red Springs, NC, Maria de Buenos Aires, Mary Jo and Ronda. Notes: Danced milonga with Ronda.

Milonga Pasional - Atlanta 

Alicia Pons in Atlanta

Workshop: Mastering body language Venue: Life Enrichment Center Dance Card: Angelique from Austria, Janette from NC and Quincy Notes on walking: Walk with attitude. Take each step full of energy and intention. Notes on breathing: Breathe through your nose, not through your mouth. Breathe, but not audibly. Breathe with every step. Inspiro. Breath in. Exhalo. Exhale. The arm accompanies your breathing. Notes on the lead and follow: If the man doesn't lead, don't follow. Don't dance alone.

e-pistol to the Memphians

To: Tom Gettelfinger and The Tango Men of Memphis Grace to you and Peace and Love from the Godfather of the Memphis Tango. What's working: Your Tango is working. Your Milonga is working. Your Practica is working. The Milonga at Mariallen's was PDC (Pretty Damn Close) to a real Milonga. It was good. It was authentic. I was proud to see the faithful contiuing with the Tango in Memphis and how much your walk has improved. You all looked great! That's no bullshit. Each Tango Teacher who visits Memphis leaves their mark. Sid has left his. Everyone likes Sid. I like Sid. Everyone is dancing like Sid. Everyone is dancing like they dance in New York City. Good for Sid! But I fear that y'all may only remember the last teacher who came to town. No one likes Cacho because he is dull and boring. But Cacho teaches the basics. He teaches you to dance like they dance in Buenos Aires. Cacho and Roger and Barbara teach the social dance, not the stage dance. You gained the gancho, but you've lost the connection and the connection is the soul of the tango. I saw some grafiti on a bar wall recently that said "BECOME YOUR PURPOSE!" So, Tango Men of Memphis, what IS your purpose? Do you want to dance to show off your gancho? Or do you want to dance to enjoy your partner? Do you want to dance for PERFORMANCE, for the dance PRIZE, for the STAGE for TANGO FOR EXPORT or do you want to dance like a Milonguero? I've given up on the stage. I'm sixty years old. I'll never win best of show for tango. I don't gancho and I'm proud of that fact because I've NEVER seen a gancho led at a milonga in Buenos Aires. It's a kick in the balls. It's a stage trick. It impresses no one. So, what IS your purpose? Where are the basics? Where is the CONNECTION? Where is the FLOOR CRAFT? I counted a half-dozen men who passed me on the floor at Mariallan's Milonga. No. You don't pass. Ever. Period. What's the hurry? Why is everyone rushing? Is this a race? If you pass Neil do you win something? The basic understanding of the dance is missing in Memphis and in New York City. That is the understanding that you dance with the music, you dance with your partner AND YOU DANCE WITH THE OTHER DANCERS! If you miss this understanding, you're not dancing the Argentine Tango. You're dancing on a tightrope in the spotlight all by yourself like a prima donna. Thank you for my warm welcome in Memphis. The grace of the Tango be with you. My love be with you. Neil

Mariallan's Milonga, Memphis

Dance Card: Francine, Little Rock - formerly from Belgium, Gloria from Little Rock, Lydia, Lynn, Mariallan, Pam and Shing.

TheaterWorks, Memphis

Practica Dance Card: Ainslee, Chrisie, Gaye, Lydia, Margaret, Pam, Renea and Wendy.