We had a full weekend of Tango in Sacramento starting Friday night with Kenny and Chooi's Milonga on their stunning Brazilian hardwood floor at Tango on Broadway. It was Marlene B’s and Diane L’s joint birthday celebration, and we got to see many friends and enjoy some live singing.
On Saturday at Tango by the River, the workshops with Oscar & Georgina (and baby Nicolas - he really wants to dance) worked with SHOKAZORB (or shock-absorb) to refine the weight changes throughout tango. A basic box step and a cross-system outside partner right walk with return to resolution underscored the ideas of attention and connection so vital with Oscar and Georgina. The second class had an interesting take on media luna: inserting a cross after the first side step of the follower with a decisive turn of the leader's torso, followed up with a sacada turn and a cross-system exit. Oscar and Georgina's teaching style is filled with exuberance for sharing the joy of tango.
That night's milonga at Tango By the River featured the dynamic performances of Oscar and Georgina: Tango in their signature romantic style; a rhythmic tango with exceptional flair, and for an encore, a very playful milonga. Before and after there was much fine dancing as many visitors (including us and Larry S, representing Reno) mixed it up with the locals. At midnight the Neo/Alternative tango broke loose, the lights began to move and eventually, we are told, the wings came out. We had to repair to our friend’s houseboat to rest up for the next day's adventures.
Sunday’s workshops began with a delightful back crossing step – R behind L for the follower after 7 followed by a sentada on the L, then ocho cortado. This was done in both bandoneon-esque deeply romantic style as well as in rhythmic style with an added tap of the toe for both lead and follow. The culminating workshop was milonga lisa and trespie - just in case you were not exhausted. Remember, Oscar's motto is: No Vacation! In place box step, box step with a triple-syncopated back step (knee behind knee if you don't want to get worn out); a walking combination of inside, inline, short step – done with and without traspie; and finally traspie to both sides with no walking steps. Whew! Absolutely an astounding weekend.
We also wish to say farewell to our old friend Ron Six and to the rising star Resh Michael aka Naresh. They were much loved and will be missed.
On Saturday at Tango by the River, the workshops with Oscar & Georgina (and baby Nicolas - he really wants to dance) worked with SHOKAZORB (or shock-absorb) to refine the weight changes throughout tango. A basic box step and a cross-system outside partner right walk with return to resolution underscored the ideas of attention and connection so vital with Oscar and Georgina. The second class had an interesting take on media luna: inserting a cross after the first side step of the follower with a decisive turn of the leader's torso, followed up with a sacada turn and a cross-system exit. Oscar and Georgina's teaching style is filled with exuberance for sharing the joy of tango.
That night's milonga at Tango By the River featured the dynamic performances of Oscar and Georgina: Tango in their signature romantic style; a rhythmic tango with exceptional flair, and for an encore, a very playful milonga. Before and after there was much fine dancing as many visitors (including us and Larry S, representing Reno) mixed it up with the locals. At midnight the Neo/Alternative tango broke loose, the lights began to move and eventually, we are told, the wings came out. We had to repair to our friend’s houseboat to rest up for the next day's adventures.
Sunday’s workshops began with a delightful back crossing step – R behind L for the follower after 7 followed by a sentada on the L, then ocho cortado. This was done in both bandoneon-esque deeply romantic style as well as in rhythmic style with an added tap of the toe for both lead and follow. The culminating workshop was milonga lisa and trespie - just in case you were not exhausted. Remember, Oscar's motto is: No Vacation! In place box step, box step with a triple-syncopated back step (knee behind knee if you don't want to get worn out); a walking combination of inside, inline, short step – done with and without traspie; and finally traspie to both sides with no walking steps. Whew! Absolutely an astounding weekend.
We also wish to say farewell to our old friend Ron Six and to the rising star Resh Michael aka Naresh. They were much loved and will be missed.
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