You all remember Sara Prince from our last Tango contest, don’t you?
Here’s what she had to say about receiving her free tango lesson at Zabor Dance:
I want to be a tanguera.
It’s impossible to go to a milonga and not want this when I see gorgeous couples sensuously massaging the floor with their feet, dialoguing with their bodies, and giving full response to the lyricism and staccatos of Di Sarli.
Am I crazy?
Nah, I’m just zabor! Za-what?
ZABOR. It’s a combination of the Spanish words sabor (flavor) and saber (to know), and the English word zest (spice). I want to know how to flavor my tango with spice – no matter who I’m dancing with!
This is what I was hoping to learn a few weeks ago when I walked into Zabor Dance Studio for my free lesson, compliments of The Tango Notebook.
What I most wanted to know was how to create this beautiful dance over and over again, with different partners.
The answer? It’s all about connection, which is the special du jour of Zabor Dance!
“Connection”, I learned, is not what I thought it was. It isn’t that special someone who picks you out of a crowd and it has little to do with how much two people have practiced together.
It’s about you. It’s about letting go of your tension so you can feel how your body instinctively wants to move. When your partner makes a subtle shift in weight, or presses down into the floor, or rotates on an axis, your body reacts to create a new movement in tandem with theirs. Every rule, every term, every pattern you’ve ever learned must be erased from your head while you dance. What your body knows, it will do.
What you respond to in the other person will spark a movement dialogue between you both. “Mistakes” can be opportunities to discover new movement together, and to further the couple connection and creativity. When you’ve learned what you need to know about tango, its history, and its movement, it’s time to experience the unique flavor of the person you are embracing. When you can be fully engaged in the moment, the movement, and the music – you are zabor!
Ahhh, to be this all the time! I couldn’t maintain the moment. But as I left the studio, I was smiling. I’d gotten a taste of what it’s like, and now I want more.
So thanks, Tango Notebook, for giving me this crazy dream of being a tanguera. Who knows where it will lead, but certainly, I’ll be following along!
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{ 2 tango-induced comments… read them, love them, and add your 2 cents! }
It is all about the connection.it sounds like you had a really nice time and I am so glad that the tango notebook has recruited one more addict among us all. Enjoy your experience, it only gets better.
Thanks Farnoosh,
I always enjoy your comments and perspectives!
The best thing I’ve found about a really good lesson is how it continues with you … at milongas, practice, and other classes. I’m very grateful