I went to Tulsa for a milonga a few days ago, and met a couple who just moved in to the area from Mexico City.
He has been an Argentine Tango instructor. She said she has been an assistant, but it was understatement. They were, really, really, good together.
When I watch dancing, I can be relentless. My basic attitude is like some Hip hop dancers; "Show me what you got".
And I admire them if what they got is good. It's that simple.
When watching dancing, I tend to trust what I see here and now. For performing arts, I believe it is a good way to go. All past reputation, history, talk....they may be important to some, but they are not what I primarily base my judgment on. Sorry.
In this case, what made me think they are good was their dance vocabulary and body usage. They had rich patterns, good musicality, moved well and showed sense of enjoyment. And I could tell they came from years of partnership.
In a social dance, we can dance for a Tanda or two, and understand each other to a certain depth. But the depth cannot go past the point reached after such a long term partnership.
I envy such an eloquently expressed Tango vocabulary the couple is achieving after years together.
