Last weekend (11/8/2014), they set up an opportunity for two afternoon workshops, dinner and a milonga with live music by the members of the Q-Tango, Albuquerque-based Tango band.
The instructors were, George and Jairelbhi Furlong from Dallas, and Erskine Maytorena of QTango. George and Jairelbhi had a Sacada class, Erskine and two other band members taught musicality. They duplicated two classes and taught in two rooms, so the attendants would get the same deal, one class from George and Jairelbhi, one class from Erskine.
At the end of the two classes, the dancers (George and Jairelbhi) and the musicians got together, and demonstrated dances with live music in front of all attendants. To demonstrate that the music is "the boss" in Tango, the dancers danced to the same song twice, but the musicians played the song in very different styles. The dancers danced the same song very differently, accordingly to the very different play styles. That was a great presentation for musicality and improvisation.
George and Jairelbhi drove from Dallas for the workshops (about 5 hours drive one way). Since they had their own milonga the next day, they drove back after the workshops. Traveling dance instructor's life seems quite busy.
The QTango members were on their way to St. Louis, then New York, for music festivals. They came, taught, played in the milonga, then went. Traveling musicians' life seems quite busy as well.
The management, Cindy and Walt, made these arrangements. The event attracted about 50 people, mostly from Tulsa area. Some, including me, came from Oklahoma City. A few others came from Arkansas.
Occasional Tango events popping up in smaller cities are supported by efforts by these people; management/organizers, instructors, musicians, and dancers. I appreciate the background efforts by all the people to make things happen.
PS A little nugget. A Tango song comes with a main mood among following three moods; Happy, Romantic, or Dramatic. Taking time to figure out the main mood of the song helps to interpret the song and dance with better musicality.
