This is a great way to experience Argentine Tango. Almost every Sunday evening from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM there is dancing at Freedom Plaza located at 14th and Pennsylvania in downtown DC.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Monday, August 06, 2007
Weekend of Dancing
We did get some dancing in over the weekend. I got home from San Diego late on Friday so we didn't make it to Studio One for our regular dance night. Our Argentine Tango lesson on Saturday was mostly a review since we didn't get to practice together during the week. It was very crowded with a lot of different lessons going on at the same time. We usually arrive early so we can warm up a little before our lession. There was not enough room on Saturday. It was interesting to watch the belly dance lesson. There was a wedding couple taking lessons at the same time we were and near our space. They played the same music over and over and over again. It would have been a good song if played once. After an hour, it was starting to drive me crazy.
Saturday night we went back to Lioudmila's for their dance party. While we were there a woman stopped by and asked if I worked for DCS Corporation. This was totally out of the blue and really made me do a double-take. I told her that I did work for DCS. She said that her husband worked for DCS and that she had seen us dancing during the XMas party last year. Hey, it was a DJ and an empty dance floor; we weren't going to waste it.
On Sunday, we went to the Candy Factory for the first Sunday dance. Another rather odd thing happened during this dance also. There was a photographer from the Washington Post there taking pictures. We were getting set to dance a waltz and he came over snapping pictures. We took off and here he came right behind us snapping away with his camera. He followed us around the floor at least twice. I think he got a little winded. I felt pretty good that I was able to maintain the lead even with that kind of distraction.
Saturday night we went back to Lioudmila's for their dance party. While we were there a woman stopped by and asked if I worked for DCS Corporation. This was totally out of the blue and really made me do a double-take. I told her that I did work for DCS. She said that her husband worked for DCS and that she had seen us dancing during the XMas party last year. Hey, it was a DJ and an empty dance floor; we weren't going to waste it.
On Sunday, we went to the Candy Factory for the first Sunday dance. Another rather odd thing happened during this dance also. There was a photographer from the Washington Post there taking pictures. We were getting set to dance a waltz and he came over snapping pictures. We took off and here he came right behind us snapping away with his camera. He followed us around the floor at least twice. I think he got a little winded. I felt pretty good that I was able to maintain the lead even with that kind of distraction.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Business Trip
This week I am traveling on business to San Diego. The weather this week makes me understand why Californians are so mellow. It's been in the mid-70's all week and not humid by DC standards.
I wanted to get in some dancing while I am here. You can't develop or keep any proficiency if you don't practice. So, I went the Dance North County studio Tuesday night to see what they had to offer. At 6:00 PM I joined their Beginning Argentine Tango class, given by David Tomko. It was a a good sized class with me making the 6th person and 3rd gentleman. I was glad to even things up. The instructor was very good and I'm glad he could accomodate me dropping in on his class. I got some good practice and finally picked up on something that Anthony has been trying to drill into me about displacement. We have been trying a step that uses displacement and I was trying to displace my partner's foot. I finally caught on that it wasn't just the foot I want to displace. I am moving myself into her space and of course the foot comes along for the ride.
At 7:00, I attended a Latin class given by Daniel Vasco. I know that I need help with my latin motion so this was a good class for me. We went over latin motion in a cha-cha step that combined a basic, a cross-body lead into a progressive forward, another cross-body lead into a basic. So, I not only got some pointers on latin motion but picked up a new combination also.
After the latin class I went to their Social Dance party that went from 8:00 to 10:00. I got to do some dancing and met some very nice people. I danced a couple of Rhumbas and a swing and even got to practice continuity style foxtrot. My partner for that one was very polite and said I did a good job. We have only just started on Silver level Foxtrot and I know exactly 2 steps. I only stayed for an hour because my body is still on East Coast time and I was quickly turning into a pumpkin. I tend to step on my partner's feet when I get tired.
I wanted to get in some dancing while I am here. You can't develop or keep any proficiency if you don't practice. So, I went the Dance North County studio Tuesday night to see what they had to offer. At 6:00 PM I joined their Beginning Argentine Tango class, given by David Tomko. It was a a good sized class with me making the 6th person and 3rd gentleman. I was glad to even things up. The instructor was very good and I'm glad he could accomodate me dropping in on his class. I got some good practice and finally picked up on something that Anthony has been trying to drill into me about displacement. We have been trying a step that uses displacement and I was trying to displace my partner's foot. I finally caught on that it wasn't just the foot I want to displace. I am moving myself into her space and of course the foot comes along for the ride.
At 7:00, I attended a Latin class given by Daniel Vasco. I know that I need help with my latin motion so this was a good class for me. We went over latin motion in a cha-cha step that combined a basic, a cross-body lead into a progressive forward, another cross-body lead into a basic. So, I not only got some pointers on latin motion but picked up a new combination also.
After the latin class I went to their Social Dance party that went from 8:00 to 10:00. I got to do some dancing and met some very nice people. I danced a couple of Rhumbas and a swing and even got to practice continuity style foxtrot. My partner for that one was very polite and said I did a good job. We have only just started on Silver level Foxtrot and I know exactly 2 steps. I only stayed for an hour because my body is still on East Coast time and I was quickly turning into a pumpkin. I tend to step on my partner's feet when I get tired.
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