Video: Chicho Y Juana

This video is long, but worth it:
Chicho Y Juana

There are two things I love about tango videos, and they're different from what the leaders love.  Leaders notice moves.  I'm reaching the point where I can appreciate whether a move was easy or hard, but that's not why I watch videos.  I watch the follows.  More than in any other dance, I watch the follows.  And more specifically than just the follows- I watch their feet.  Their footsteps.  I'll post another day about my favorite tango follow,  but this video is a lot more accessible, I think, and has a broader range of things to appreciate. 

On one level, Juana's balance is incredible (check out those spins around 2:50 and 4:40- those are on one foot, and include direction changes).  In addition, her speed and control are top notch- check out the series of ganchos and boleos starting at around 3:13- there's no sloppiness, no weebling or wobbling.  Not to mention the 8 minutes or so of the slow song.  There's no fudging in a song that slow.

And that's where her grace really becomes evident- even beyond the control not to fall over, every movement is intentional.  There's nothing accidental (aside from a few wardrobe mishaps), there's no flinging.  The grace of a great tango follow is not in her ganchos, or boleos, or sacadas.  The grace of a great tango follow is in a single step.  As far as I'm concerned, all of tango comes down to a single step (but that's a blog for another day).  Watch the way that she reaches for every step.  Want to see an incredible step?  Watch at 3:50.  Then watch it again.  And maybe a third time.  I did.  The steps are so, so very different from Blues or Lindy, but there's no denying their magic here.  Watch for when her legs are straight, and when they're bent.  She makes her legs look super long when she reaches for something, but her turn are tight and powerful when she collects nice and low.  (Makes me feel like a schmuck, but a happy one).

And if you're not ready to analyze movement quality or balance or connection yet, and want to see a lot of cool things?  Watch minute six.  The whole shebang.

Happy watching,
-m.
ps- "The Process" will contine later, but I just couldn't get tango out of my brain for the last few days.  Keep an ear out!
-m again.