Can you say Chicho Fumbroli?

Ok this is Chicho and Lucí­a dancing at La Viruta during the 12 years anniversary of La Viruta.

One thing I can say about this couple before I begin is that I love their musicality, also how they flawlessly move from Nuevo to Tango to Apilado, with a hint of Cuban Casino Style thrown in for fun. To say the least this is a fun video, I have a friend who had the pleasure of dancing with Chicho in Northern California a few months ago and she said it was amazing.

On to the goods:

:06 Sec:Chicho’s hop step, usually I only see the followers tip their shoes up like that, I get chided for it a lot but it’s a salsa habit, my foot pops, it won’t stop, so I like it when I see a master doing it for fun. Note how he sneaks it in without disturbing Lucia’s flow, he does it again at at :42, and 1:47 sec.

:53 sec: oh the musicality! I love the way they go from a syncopated series of sacadas and walking to being smooth and flowy with the music. (this is why we all should listen to tango music often)

1:03 sec: Nice front Boleo to a back sacada for Lucia.

1:14 sec:Ok the syncopation here begs to be looked at twice so stop the clip and look at it again, I’ve looked at it about twenty times. It will take me a month to step like that to the music by myself, then I’ll have to find someone to teach me how to lead it properly!

1:17sec: they both hop, so it can be led!

1:25 sec: Check out the syncopated Barridas! smooth, smooth, smooth!!

1:59 sec: Just a touch of Apilado to straight Tango as if to say, ‘yeah, we do can do that too’.

2:20 sec: Very nice slow Volcada back to Tango.

2:27 sec: This for me was the highlight of the video Listen to the music here and watch how the back sacada fits perfectly. I love him and I hate him at the same time, and I’m still kicking myself for missing this guy’s classes on his last tour through CA.

Last but not least I think i should mention that his partner Lucia is amazing, I saw only one missed cue in the whole dance and it made me respect her more for the graceful way in which she maintained her connection, she is Amazing.

Enjoy the clip, I have a few more Fumbroli clips coming up so tune back in soon,

EF

Gotan Project – Diferente

I just love this video, it’s so yin yang.

To me there is so much going on and it speaks to how there are always 3 of each of us in Tango and in life.

1 who acts/dances (exemplified by the young man and woman arriving to the hall)

1 who watches the dance (exemplified by the young man and woman already at the hall)

1 who is connected to everyone else on dance floor (exemplified by the couple dancing and the crowd watching)

Do you ever notice how few collisions there are on the dance floor? (unless you are in Santa Cruz, CA and John and Sandy are dancing, you may not crash into anyone in a month!) 

What this means to me is that we are not dancing by out selves, or with just another partner, but with everyone in the entire room. Ourselves, our partner, everyone.  

Another point of note:

1:21 sec. into the video, there is a man sitting there watching, he is the only one wearing sun glasses.  Who is this person? Who is he to you? Some might think he is the God archetype who is orchestrating the whole drama, notice how he shows up again at the end, as Gods are wont to do?

Happy Holidays Everyone!

EF

Astor Piazolla = Jimi Hendrix

This guy is a brilliant genius, he’s playing on the stereo in the cafe where i’m writing this post.  So Piazolla in my mind is basically the Argentinian equivalent of the Jimi Hendrix of the Bandoneon, and is the guy whom the whole new modern small chamber ensemble (Tin Hat Trio, 3 Leg Torso, The Brunos) that is happening in the Northwest is referencing. Which is basically, three or more folks playing what sounds like klezmer/jazz manuche/tango but with a pirate flavor. 

The stuff coming out now is good and moody, not Argentinian I feel like cutting myself moody, but more you know, Northwest American Plucky/Moody, like I should cut myself but I had coffee so I’m OK right now….you know kind of like what Seattle did for riff rock in the 90′s, but with less hair. 

But I digress….Can someone please tell me if they think the music in this video is Tango? And if so….please post a video on youtube of someone dancing to it!  I of course find my self partial to older Tango music, in particular anything with a horn instrument as the bass, you know very staccato in my mind = very fun. 

 Well enjoy the video everyone!!

EF