Words by Deby Novitz- thoughts by many

Deby has an honest and interesting blog.
She is an expat who in now a resident of BsAs.
Also rents rooms to tourists.

http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/whose-tango-is-it/
In the arms of some old guy I would get a music lesson. In the U.S. you dance the same to every song. People dance tango to vals, a tango variation to milonga, the same steps to everything. Here in Buenos Aires I was told that you dance different to each orchestra. Long back steps to DiSarli, more giros to D’arienzo. It was exciting. There was so much to learn and the milonga was my teacher.
What makes Argentine Tango unique is the abrazo – the embrace. When you take that away, you take away the essence of the dance. The tango is a seduction. It is two people playing with each other. The tango like a seduction is improvisation. It is not the same steps over and over again. When you take away the embrace, you dance the same steps over and over again, and you don’t even dance it to tango music, what are you dancing?

Why did I worry?

Just the most wonderful time for all of us and I've never seen a milonga like the Oliver and Silvina version. Good food and the most gorgeous evening surrounded by our friends, the true- believers- and 6 tango instructors under one tent roof. Back in the spring for our 4th summer.

Moving the Date and Getting Ready

Oliver and Silvina don't mind the cold and we don't mind the cold, but we moved the tent closing back two weeks this year so our last night would be a bit balmy. The forecast looked dismal. Mike and I ran around trying to rent another propane heater for the other end of the tent, but nothing was left for the weekend. Home Depot had a 7 footer with a gorgeous copper base. "Takes about 30 minutes to construct" Hah!
Walter came on Friday to make Pigs in the Blanket. "Goes really quickly" Hah!
I never want to see a cabbage again!
So tonight we'll see how it goes. Mike and I have to hang plastic sheeting around the small tent, clean the floor and add all the finishing touches.
Thank god for friends who always help and give us support for this crazy endeavor. Thank God for Oliver and Silvina who teach us the tango.