week 8

This week, Ann's partner, Chuck, came. It was great getting a new perspective on Tango, and getting a polish on my moves. I feel that some moves such as the front ocho, and back ocho have become more defined. Learning how to lead the woman into the circle seems to have opened a flood of combinations for me. I found myself in different postitions to lead into moves that I previously knew, such as the back ocho and front ocho. It simply  feels natural at points to initiate these moves.

This weeks movie, secret in her eyes, was a very dark and chilling thriller. Although I didn't at first see many elements of Tango in the film, after discussing, and thinking about it more, there are things about tango that the movie may say. One, is the respect of touch between the man and the woman. I remember watching a movie, Take the Lead with Antonio Banderas. In the movie, Banderas plays a tango instructor in an at risk school. While some parents are in objection, Banderas' character states that "I am teaching these youth many things..." one of which is "respect of touch. I am teaching young men how to respectfully touch a woman, and I am teaching these young woman how to respect their bodies." This is not an exact quote, however, within the movie Secret in her eyes, the movie revolves around a rape incident. Tango, I believe, teaches this sense of respect. It teaches how to respect ones own body, and how to respect another person's body.

It is also becoming sad that the end of the quarter is coming. My time in class has been a great time to learn tango, however, next quarter, I'm unsure if I'll have enough time to dance at all. Dance is an important outlet in my life, and this class has been a great space of allotted time for me to utilize. Hopefully next quarter, I'll still be able to practice and dance.

Week 7

This week we learned the ocho cortada. This was a move that I've never learned before, and it was great to be able to add another weapon in my tango arsenal. As previously stated, the hardest part of the milanga for me is staying within the the line of dance. All too often do I find myself waiting for the line of dance to move, and being stuck and not knowing what to do. With the ocho cortada, however, I think that it's a good move to utilize when the line of dance stops.

I am also finding that I am reaching a point in Tango that I previously reached with other Latin dances where I am able to naturally put different combinations of moves together. Although I'm still not completely comfortable with Tango, I feel myself getting better, finally.  I'm hopeful that I'll still be able to continue my growth

Week 6

Last week in Tango was very a bit different but I had fun actually dancing as if we were at a milonga. I'm finding that keeping in the line of dance is very hard. People stop and go, and I'm often unsure of what to do when the line of dance isn't moving. Back ocho's are an easy way to do 'something' but after a while, I'm not sure what to do. I feel that the back ochos may get boring sometime, and I don't have much style when I dance.

I'm getting nervous about this upcoming research paper. 20 pages seems like a lot to write, and I'm nervous about finding information. I'm thinking about doing my paper on other cultures that had an influence on Tango, particularly looking at Tango's African roots. I'm wondering what other influences that Tango has, if any.

Recently I got a part time job working for my cousin at a restaurant he manages. Unfortunately, though, I'm unsure if wI will be able to attend tango club anymore. I'm glad that I'm taking this ASEM, because without it, I'd probably have to stop learning tango. At least there is another four weeks!