I have no particular problem with dancing. I certainly like to piss around and am not adverse to public performances. I was however a little concerned when my editor asked me to accompany the lovely, somewhat lippy, Laura to a tango class.
My vague feelings of concern turned into sheer panic when I arrived to see that the class takes place in the middle of an open café! A bottle of full bodied Dutch-courage was promptly ordered and enjoyed until our teachers told me that I quite simply could not learn the tango with a glass of wine in my hand.
The class however, was thoroughly enjoyable. It was explained to me that the public setting was a must with the tango (a public dance) and off we went. The teachers explained everything clearly in both Spanish and English and it was a learn-as-you-dance kind of lesson. Learn some basic steps, try it out, be corrected and try again. The class was about eight people strong and a mixture of locals and tourists. The atmosphere was casual but the teaching was professional: tango made easy!
Laura however was anything but, and was most certainly more lippy than lovely! Screaming at me for making mistakes is bad enough, but her reign of terror did not end there. On the odd occasion that I decided to dance with the girls who had turned up without dates (always with the purest of intentions I might add) the music was drowned out by a tirade of abuse.
“Are you dumping me then? Well you’re a rubbish dancer anyway! Bloody hell Josh! Stop hitting on her Josh!”
It went on and on! Clearly overcome by jealousy, Laura then proceeded to knock into me at every opportunity. Lippy Laura strikes again!
So, Laura and I had our clashes, and I will not be inviting her to the dance any time soon. Despite that, the lesson was great fun. Taught simply enough so that I got the hang of it (depending on who you ask!) and in a really comfortable environment.
I have been converted; from the public setting to the individual performances they encourage, it was all a laugh and I really did learn something.
I’ll see you next week (Not you Laura!)
I have a problem with dancing. I have a particular problem with sexy dancing. I also have a particular problem with a colleague, Josh. I was therefore less than amused when my editor informed me upon my return from holiday that the entire team had decided that Josh and I would be the perfect pair for a tango review.
The class got off to a great start: Josh and I were separated. I was relieved to say the least, although I did spare a thought for the poor girl who was left with him before I glided into the arms of Nicolas, my tall, dark stranger from Rosario. What a gentleman he was. Our relationship blossomed as our grasp of the basic steps grew stronger.
After ten minutes of solo practice I was ready for the moment I had been waiting for – our embrace. The teachers, Mariel and José Luis, had ironed out our errors and their clear instruction (both in Spanish and English) and the relaxed atmosphere of the class had filled me with confidence for the passionate tryst that I was sure lay ahead. We clasped hands and I felt Nico (as he requested I called him – no longer strangers) pull me close. A coy nod to each other, we breathed in unison and drifted into our first steps…forward, across, back, back, cross of the feet and…thump…Josh. He clumsily backed into me. I apologised to Nico for the small association I had to Josh and we glided on on our way… forward, across, back, back, cross of the feet and…aaargh…Josh again. His clown feet had crushed my delicate toes. His nervous laughter and distinctly unwitty repartee could be heard from every corner of the room. I pitied the other girls he danced with and, from the looks on their faces, they pitied themselves too.
In a class where you learn the basic steps quickly it is a real drawback to have a partner like Josh weighing you down. By the end of the 90 minutes, Nico and I were shimmying and flicking limbs here and there. We could still hear Josh mumbling the steps confusedly, occasionally interrupted by a clatter with his latest victim and an unintelligible wine-fuelled outburst.
The class may be not be for everyone (i.e. Josh), but it is for most. Mariel’s teaching and the fun atmosphere make for a fun and successful evening. The constant rotation of partners means you won’t be stuck with a Josh for too long. You never know, you may even find a Nico.
We’ve starting practising for our wedding.
If you are interested in joining Laura and Josh, they attended a class with Mariel and José Luis in RaRa in San Telmo, Carlos Calvo 601. Lessons are available in English, Portuguese and Turkish, as well as Spanish. For more information please email mariel.altobello@gmail.com or call 15 6025 1199.