I'm planning the first London Tango Festival. The star attraction won't be the choreographer of a Broadway show, but probably Tete and his partner Silvia. We'll have, I hope, Facundo and Kely, and Dany 'El Flaco' Garcia with Silvina Vals, to teach milonga. We'll invite Ana Schapira and her partner; we'll invite Myriam Pincen and Alicia Pons, Rubén de Pompeya and Miguel Balbi. And Alberto Dassieu and his wife Paulina Spinoso. Those are the main stars: there will be others. We'll invite a few orchestras, take over Wild Court for two weeks, have endless workshops and milongas, and perhaps readjust London tango. All we need now is about £30,000.
I enjoyed writing that, except for the last sentence. & I would love to see Alberto Dassieu in London -- and all the others too, of course. Here are a couple of videos of him: I tend to link videos here so I can find them quickly when I want to watch them, and these are two I want to watch often.
I love the second, the vals, in particular, the energy and precision of it, the musicality, but I also like the spare elegance of the Pugliese. There's not a superfluous gesture, not an ornament not related directly to basic movement, no distraction from feeling. Form arises from function. Doing simple things very very well, and expressing the phrases and compas of the music. I think it's easier to learn a flash move, and to force it into a dance, than to do a simple turn really well, as smoothly as that generation of dancers turn. To me there's no doubt which is best to watch, and which I'd prefer to do. & they are totally centred. Wonderful dancing, and two favourite pieces of music, especially the D'Arienzo vals. When you dance it you know it's building up to a double-speed section at the end, and you will have to fly.
Dassieu is in his 70s now, and started dancing over 50 years ago in the Villa Urquiza barrio. & he teaches in Europe and the USA: he'll be in Zurich in May. This is his website (Spanish only, unfortunately, as there's a long reminiscence of his life in tango), and there is an interview with him in English and Spanish here.
14 comments:
is it me or in the first video he holds her in a totally uncomfortable hold - i look at it and think "ouch!"
Uncomfortable for whom? I'm not sure: look at the first few seconds as they get together, it looks OK. His right hand holds her a bit higher than we normally do, but I've noticed other older dancers do that, the leader's hand higher even, almost at neck level. & she holds her left arm very high and a bit stiff. I think the hold, and the height of the partners, is identical in the second clip, but the woman's left arm is more relaxed there.
look at her spine - it's bent into uncomfortable shapes... not "safe" dissociation.
specifically look at timestamps around: 0:19, 2:01, 2:38 and 3:42
I thought for a moment, is it the follower who has trouble keeping her posture but the more I watch it the more I see him not allowing her a safe and comfortable posture.
take a look at this in contrast - her posture is, and is allowed to be, safe and elegant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SodIdnzP4gI
Thanks, anon. The video I wanted to remember was the vals. I included the first clip by way of contrast, because I liked the interpretation of the music by both dancers, and because I wanted to watch the dynamics: the lighting is clear, unlike a lot of YouTube clips! I thought it looked a bit stiff, and I assumed the follower isn't as experienced as Elba Biscay in the vals. Elba Biscay is the same height, being held in the same position in the vals, and looks completely comfortable.
Eva Garlez might not be so experienced but she's experienced enough to give a public demonstration with Alberto in El Beso during the MILONGUERO08 festival, which is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJK-dAq17wo She's got her left hand in a much more normal position and looks comfortable, although the lighting is poor.
Of course, you realize the first thing everyone'd say on hearing about your festival would be "First tango festival? Don't you mean 3rd / 5th / 23rd?" (delete as appropriate) :)
Because, obviously, that's the most important aspect...
Dear Tango commuter,
Thanks for posting these videos of Alberto Dassieu. He was the one who really taught me how to follow! By no means is his embrace uncomfortable - he is an incredible leader, dancer and teacher. He is also one of the most elegant and musical dancers of his generation. We just saw him in Buenos Aires this March - he is always interested when people blog or comment about him, have you contacted him through the email address on his website?
I just stumbled upon your blog - it looks really great! All the best,
Irene
Hi Irene, and many thanks for your comments. That was a good surprise to hear from you! I really liked Alberto's dance, simple, elegant, musical, nothing superfluous. I really wish we could get him to London, and others of his generation, but it's not a tango to everyone's taste here. But we'll keep trying!
Too bad I only recently found out about him, because I was in Buenos Aires in December. I'm hoping to go back at the end of this year, so I'll definitely contact him. I hope my 'castellano' will have improved a bit by then: I'm working on it. & I just enjoyed reading your blog of Buenos Aires, the good bits, anyway!
Thanks again, and all best wishes.
What's the £30,000 based on? You are a practical man - do you dream in enough detail to itemise?
Practical enough to dream in detail!
The figure came from nowhere, but airfare @ £1,500 per couple for 10 couples would be £15,000, so... Any idea how we can raise it?
Ten couples all coming from the same place should be cheaper than that. A more serious problem is that all of them would be here illegally, unless you can get through this lot; why exactly they would want to I cannot imagine.
From your point of view, I think it makes more sense to go to Zurich in May.
Thanks for reminding me, MsH, though actually I'd rather not be reminded. I spent an afternoon back in January trying to read my way through the UK Border Agency's voluminous attempts at clarity when I was hoping we really might be able to get Tete and Silvia over from Paris this May. & I've been assured that these things can be arranged - if you have time and money and the visitors don't intend to stay long. I know it's cheaper and easier to go to Zurich (or even Buenos Aires) but that wouldn't do much for London tango, would it? & why shouldn't I dream that all of us can benefit from all the experience this generation of dancers has?
The serious point in my joke was, and is: there are a number of dancers with long experience and who travel to Europe, but promoters (whoever they are) see fit to bring only the young and acrobatic to London. I think it's a shame. Don't you?
I definitely think it's a shame and would love your festival idea to become reality. What a joy it would be to attend and to think of the effect it could have on the London tango scene.
Everyone talks about how London isn't ready for this and all we want is flashy show tango, but surely it isn't just me who got over being impressed and now finds this a little boring and disappointing. I know it isn't just me.
I find the fact that Amanda and Adrian Costa's classes are so well attended when they are here encouraging - surely this shows that we do want basic technique and floor craft.
So if you need cheering on to keep the idea alive, I'm cheering. And happy to help if it comes to it.
Sabailar, thanks for your enthusiasm, and for posting your remarks. It would be great if we could get even a few of those teachers over here. There is interest in their experience, and the more of us who say we are interested the more likely it is, sooner or later, something will be arranged. But most of them are in their 70s now, so perhaps we shouldn't rely on them visiting us.
I think your dream is beautiful, and Sabailar is correct. That's why I think it's worthwhile to make attempts to raise expectations. And also why I asked the question - because money and lawyers are to be had for such things if there's a feasible business plan. (I've already been asked to volunteer for a festival later this year and I got the impression that the idea was along the same lines as yours, but I don't remember the details and I think it was at an early stage).
Post a Comment