Shy on the dance floor again.

I have always loved dancing. I have been dancing since I was six years old, as far as I can remember, but probably earlier. Last nite I went to a "Milonga" (a tango dance party). I have danced tango in Argentina. But now, after around 6 or 7 years of doing so, there is a new style that is danced in Argentina and here. It's amazing to see how big the argentine tango movement is in the Twin Cities. So, anyway, if I am trying to get back into tango dancing, but it's going to take a while since I start feeling more comfortable with it. I take some private lesson with Javier once in a while and I know that I am on the good path, but it's going to take some time for this technique, this language, to sink in me. So I did dance last nite, but I felt a little ackward and even a little embarrassed. May be it was the fact that most people there knew I was from Argentina, so may be they had high expectations of me and my dancing. I did manage to survive a few tangos with Florencia, another tango dance instructor from argentina and great performer, and even a couple with other ladies.
I did feel at my best when we danced "chacareras", then I knew I could be myself fully in the dance floor and that somehow made my night.

Oh mighty springtime wind!

I just came back from the Wedge Co-op where I got my favorite drink: Peanut Dream, a beverage make with soy mikl, peanut butter and bananas (and may be something else, too). I was only wearing a t-shirt so the weather felt a little chilly but not cold. It was a very nice breeze and a very nice walk. Short but nice. I enjoyed watching the trees shaking and waving.
Life and nature saying "hi" to me.

The chacarera lesson

Last Friday I had the opportunity to teach a "chacarera" (traditional argentine dance) to a group of adults at Four Seasons, a dance studio in Minneapolis. It went really well and I enjoyed it a lot. People seemed to have fun and told me how much the enjoyed the class. It's a real pleasure to me to get to connected with my country and my background teaching dances. I have experienced that through the teaching of Spanish, but teaching a "chacarera" I had the same feeling.
Se va la segunda!

Me at the "Bingo Station" at the May Fair 2005 (Spring Hill School)

Back to school

Yeah! I finally registered for classes at Minneapolis Communityand Technical College for this Summer. I am very excited about going back to school, but I know it's going to be demanding. I won't be teaching so, it should be fine. The three classes that I will do are:
* Intercultural Communication
* Intro. to Cultural Anthropology
* Theatre in the Twin Cities
So, they should be fun. I am very motivated for all them.
Summer: books and books! :-)

Tangos and chacareras

Recently I met a new friend, Javier. He is from Santa Fe, Argentina (like me) and he is a great tango instructor. I am back at learning tango, the "good" way this time. It's great to reconnect with dance and with a dance I really like (among many others).
His classes are not just about tango, but alignment as well. I feel like my back is really in bad shape every time he aligns it. I am also trying to get back to the tango dance floor again. I went to a tango practice tonite, but I am still very hesitant to dance there. But I know that with time I'll enjoy it again. I got to dance a "escondido" and a "chacarera" as well.
Se va la primera!

May Day

My second May Day, organized by In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre (HOBT).
Last year I discovered this awesome celebration, which not only is a creative, energetic and inspirational event, but also a great community effort!
I was hooked to perform at the ceremony in 2004, but this year I really wanted to be part of the audience! I just wanted to be one of the many thousands that gather on this day.
The weather was aweful: cold and even snowing a little. But the energy of the paraders and the audience was heart warming!