I was out at a (new to me) milonga the other night and I encountered a lot more nuevo tango than the normal places I frequent. I always find it quite a challenge. The whole feel and look of the dance is different and its persona seems to sit uncomfortably on me. I can’t get lost in the dance, because I’m too busy trying to figure out the next move. Nuevo is a hard dance to lead well and for the nervous follower (which is what I become when I realise I’m about to dance it) it can feel like a cryptic word puzzle – elusive and just out of reach.
Its interesting when I start dancing with someone who dances nuevo and I tell them its not really my tango. Some of them are gracious and stop doing the moves, others look upon it as an opportunity to teach/convert me. I guess I must be doing the same when I say ‘I love salon style, its so elegant and smooth. Do you fancy just walking for a bit?’
Ah, the trick is not to dance with those leaders. One needs patience, to be observant and be strong enough to say 'no thank you'. Or, if you say yes, then it is up to you to connect in your embrace. This way they have no doubts how to dance! Full frontal arms around the neck embrace. Very difficult to do nuevo moves!
ReplyDeleteI get the point of your last statement, but I don't think it is really the same thing as someone trying to teach you moves. Best not to get into that situation in the first place.
I think it's difficult / problematic to say to a leader "Can you dance this style"... Best to either not dance with that leader, or accept that the leader defines the style.
ReplyDeleteI know that's not much fun, but I know that whenever a follower tries to tell me how to dance, and I do my best to adjust my style, my dancing goes to pot.
Londontango's tips are good, however :)