I
was about to post more on Italy when I noticed Cherie has favourited
a video with Javier
Gramigna. Took me a moment to realise he's the same Javier as in the
video in the previous post; he looks different filmed with a tall woman from a high
viewpoint to dancing with a shorter woman filmed from lower, but it's
the same person, same style. The big difference is that this video
was filmed in Rome and published on 8 October: Javier is another of
the older generation of wonderful tangueros who visit Europe but not the
UK. I can't help thinking that someone like this just dancing in a
London milonga might have an electrifying impact: just being there,
even without formal classes.
I've
seen him before but never knew his name, and I think I've confused him
with Juan Carlos: similar build. Both are Cachirulo stalwarts, along
with a few dozen more from that generation. Understandably I don't
get many dances once Cachirulo gets under way, but I don't mind
sitting and watching when there's tango at this level. There's always
a row of European and American ladies looking forward to a tanda with
these dancers, a taste of tango at its source.
&
this video led me to Marina2x4's channel, which I'd not seen before.
She has about 80 of her own videos, many of Buenos Aires milongas,
filmed over several years. Javier is there again, dancing with Mirta
Tiseyra. Marta Fama is there too, and recent videos of Alberto and Paulina Dassieu.
Juan Carlos and Lucia are filmed in a wonderfully playful D'Arienzo
dance at Lujos milonga, and there are many, many more. Marina also has
links to a great many other wonderful videos.
On
her channel she writes: 'There are still many who remember the tango
of the days before the great crisis, but who haven't dedicated
themselves to teaching. & most have been overwhelmed by the
existence of so many academies and professors: unfortunately those
professors didn't really live the tango when it was danced so widely
by the people. The majority of them come from other dances as distant
from tango as rock and roll, or ballet, and even folklore.'
She's doing what she can to ensure that the tango of those who do
remember the days before the crisis will continue to live.
4 comments:
"I can't help thinking that someone like this just dancing in a London milonga might have an electrifying impact: just being there..."
I think you're right, TC. But first there has to be the kind of milonga that such a dancer would enjoy. There are a few BsAs-style milongas in the shires, but is there any London milonga that would fit the bill?
From what I've seen of London tango on video, the simple style danced in Buenos Aires by the older generation isn't going to turn any heads of local dancers. They want flashy exhibitions.
I had the pleasure of dancing with him recently. Wonderful stuff!
Thanks, anon. Glad to hear you enjoyed the dance.
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