I had the flu and was down. The flu this year did not really give me cough or sneeze, but just knocked me down with high fever and awful fatigue. It weakened me, and it might take a while to fully feel strong again. It was a nasty one.
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On 1/17/14, I attended a milonga in OKC. It was dedicated to Enriqueta Kleinman, who passed with heart attack about a week ago. She was a friend of Hazel at iDance studio, where many milongas at OKC held, and was an Argentine Tango instructor based on Buenos Aires. She was traveling cities to teach her version of Argentine Tango. It was a sudden passing, and shocked many who once were involved in her life.
She visited a few times to Oklahoma City, and left quite an impression among the Tango students here.
There are two types of dance instructors; Dancer-instructor and Teacher-instructor. She was the latter, with a hell of an attitude. Back in your kid's days, you might have had a teacher who left you an impression with her attitude? She was that kind of a Teacher-instructor.
She was a traditionalist. Also my take is that she was basically a Drill Sergeant of Argentine Tango.
The Tango being a social dance danced by all ages, you don't have to be a gifted dancer to dance Argentine Tango. Sure, some people have the gift and training, and can dance in Broadway as dancers. But it is not for everyone. As a live art, there are many different levels of Tango dancers. Sure, I respect ones whose dance has attained the level of sophistication. But they are not the only people who get this entire Tango business going.
Important thing is, everyone's got to start in some ways. And getting the learning started with a traditionalist way is a way to do it.
After all, tradition is a system that sorts people out. It can help you find your place one way or another. The military keeps Drill Sergeants in the training camp as a part of tradition. A part of reasons they are there is that it has worked nicely to mold new recruits to the system.
I think her character and her chosen role as the Drill Sergeant of Tango matched quite well.
For a character, you might have either loved or hated her. Either way, she was a memorable one. I say it is important. Rest in peace, Enriqueta.
