I can tango!

And so the farewells continue. I met up with Tom today to get a copy of his saxophone recital CD and to say goodbye. Because it's his last night here, we could only find time to meet at his Argentine tango lesson. Tom's been taking lessons for quite a while now, and since I might be taking lessons too, I went to observe the beginner's class while Tom went off to his intermediate class.

Later, we met up again at the practica, where everyone gets together and dances or practices under the dim lights of G115 Angell Hall (the basement floor of the building where I used to teach and have classes). I wanted to run off but Tom persuaded me to stay back and dance. I was nervous but agreed to let him teach me a few basic steps. Thankfully the ballroom dance lessons I took six years ago came in handy. I already felt comfortable gliding backwards. Tom is six feet four and I'm a measly five feet so it was a little tough dancing in a close embrace. We tried the practice embrace (further apart) first and once I got the hang of the few steps I knew, we joined the crowd and danced properly to milongas and tangos - real Argentine tango music! (No Piazzolla, but I still enjoyed the music).

Tom said I was doing well, and I credit it to his terrific ability to lead. He's very patient and I had a good time dancing only because he led so well. I danced with a few other guys - all good dancers too - and now I finally understand that, in tangos (and other dances), the fellow really does all the work and the woman just enjoys and follows. I think the best step is the ochos; a hidden quick two-step taken by the male leads the female into criss-crossing or tracing a figure-8 backwards with her feet. And the turns are very thrilling as well. Tom later introduced me to someone who had only 2 lessons, and as we danced, I felt so impatient I wanted to lead him! He kept telling me what to do when I was actually waiting for his cue, his lead, which didn't come across clearly at all. He probably thought I was an inept dancer.

When I got home, I signed up online for the beginners course (only $10!) and I called Lin Kiat to confirm his earlier promise to take tango lessons with me when I move home. I hope I can find an Argentine tango course - it isn't the same as the usual flamboyant tango, which evolved from the Argentine tango. I can't wait! I can already imagine LK, back straight and looking tall and dashing, (he's a good eleven inches taller than I, but at least he's not a giant like Tom), sweeping me around the dance hall.

Dancing with a friend is terribly fun too. Tom could tell I didn't want to stop. I stayed on far longer than I'd intended. Halfway through, the instructors said the next dance was Tom's, in honor of his departure. Before moving to Grenoble, he'll be teaching at Interlochen (up in northern Michigan) for part of the summer, then study music in India for the rest of the season. I watched all the women take turns dancing with him. They all looked beautiful and so full of grace.

I don't think I've met anyone as gifted as Tom, or anyone with such varied interests. All year through, I've enjoyed talking to him about writing, Piazzolla, Italy, books, dancing. He's been a splendid friend - wise beyond his years, kind, thoughtful, and blessed with the ability to converse with just about anyone. When at last the night wound down, I thought I should leave him to the more expert dancers, so I hugged and kissed him goodbye, as good amici always do.

On a slightly different topic, I decided that if I were to be buried when I die years from now (not that getting buried in Singapore is a possibility anymore), I would want these words to be my epitaph - "Vissi d'Arte, Vissi d'Amore." This idea came to me soon after I got home, when I put Tom's CD in the player and listened to the final piece, perhaps the most beautiful aria I've ever heard - "Vissi d'arte," from Puccini's Tosca. Vissi d'arte. I lived for Art. And of course, I lived for love. Vissi d'amore.

Posted by Monoceros at June 22, 2005 11:32 PM