NITIN 7 times since 2003
How many "dance studios"
(and I use the term broadly) could invite people to write about their
first time there? And how many respondents would have something worthwhile
to say?
I rest my case.
I first met Eric when he taught in NYC in October 2001: that he was
"different" from other tango teachers, bless them all, would
be to damn with faint praise. He was much more: witty, worldly, encouraging,
tactful, kind. I did pass through the Netherlands later, and used the
opportunity to dance, but it was largely routine milongas in Amsterdam,
Den Haag and Utrecht: Nijmegen seemed too far (!!). This year, many
things suddenly fell into place, and I knew that I would be able to
do El Corte. I came in for the Xmas Ball, then went on to Tangomagia
and returned for New Year's Marathon at El Corte, before heading off
to points east.
I just knew that I would encounter a highly evolved contemporary, modern,
abstract, artistic aesthetic in El Corte and I was not disappointed:
the space was filled with a million touches which delighted me. I liked
the absence of any sign except the street number, 108: a little frisson
of anxiety, is one at the right place, and then the strains of tango
music filtering through the slightly open door -- seek and you shall
find. Eric himself at the door: greeting me by name -- and not even
a culturally familiar one to make it easier. Almost everything that
one might need had been anticipated and addressed. And the saints behind
the counter: dishing out food and drink for 36 hours -- thank you indeed!
The people? Polyglot, international, open minded, civil. Quite skilled,
of course, and very tall too (particularly Dutch followers). There were
a few of us from Washington, but for the most part we provided each
other a social rather than dance safety net. Not really knowing very
many else, a familiar enough situation in my tango travels (this was
the tenth or eleventh country where I have danced), and with a shoe
shine and a smile (apologies to "Death of a Salesman"?), I
asked any one who looked interested or interesting, with more than a
few very pleasant surprises and experiences as the event unfolded. Thank
you, followers, and you know who you are. The music was astonishing
in its variety and consistent danceability.
On Day 2 of this particular tango yaatra (sanskrit for pilgrimage),
I got up wondering whether my bod could take more than 4-5 hours of
tango a day. By Day 8, the end of the Marathon, I felt I was just getting
started after 7 hours.
Overall, a wonderful, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am
so glad I could do it at least this once. The nearest comparisons I
can think of are: from my personal experience, a classical Hindustani
music session which takes off, with the ustad (maestro), his accompaniment
and the audience in a trance for hours; or, from hearsay, Woodstock.
Thank you, Eric, thank you all.
CHRISTIAN rotterdam netherlands