Robin asks; how about the placement of the women's arms and head? Hi Robin, and all, I've watched this trend with interest the last couple of years, and asked around about it. I've been told that it's "just a style", and also "more freeing" for the woman. My own observations seem to indicate that these "holds" (as you describe them, Robin!), are used almost exclusively by those interested slightly more in the "exhibition" aspect of tango; those who dance more open or "V", and those that alternate between close and open embrace. The "draping of the arm"; can be used in close embrace, and even in "milonguero", and is many times accompanied by open, spread fingers. I find it inelegant to watch, and uncomfortable to feel. My teacher cautioned followers seven years ago (way before this "trend"), to avoid the "gecko paw" look of splayed fingers. I can dance with women who do this, but I don't go searching them out for a second tanda. It's ugly, and it sucks, when compared against that beautiful connection when our hearts are focussed. The "woman's left arm very low"; even more obviously for open moves, etc, where this position does not constrict leader's right arm/shoulder. This embrace does not work well at all except in very open, very physical movements. I will not dance at all with a woman who hampers my abilities and efforts in this manner (since I dance only super-close!) As far as men who insist on follower's head direction? I've never seen, or heard that a man would insist on woman turning her head like this. I will not dictate to them, and I'll probably finish the tanda, but for a woman to hold her head anywhere but naturally over her shoulders, looking over my right shoulder, is nearly universally unbearable. For a woman to hold her head to her right is almost always extremely uncomfortable. I've danced with a couple of womwn over the last century who can pull it off. All head contact should be incidental, and gentle; temple to temple, or cheek to cheek, but with absolutely no focus of lead or follow through cranium.
And as an aside, in addressing the recent debate regarding whether crosses are lead, or automatic, or not lead, or not automatic, etc, etc....please let it be known: CROSSES ARE LEAD. PERIOD. An "automatic cross" is a MISTAKE, which can be caused by the leader, or the follower, but it is a "MISTAKE". "La Cruzada" is a move that is lead; it is not "automatic". THERE IS NO "AUTOMATIC" IN ARGENTINE TANGO!!!! See you in Atlanta, later on! Michael Robin wrote..... Especially interested in two "holds" that I observe these days in the milongas in BA. First the draping of the woman's left arm down across the shoulder of the man with elbow pointed at the ceiling and the other with the woman's left arm placed very low, almost around the man's waist. And then there are the men who insist that the woman turn her head to the right. Robin Tara Tara Tango Shoes _______________________________________________ Tango-L mailing list [email protected] http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/tango-l
