Capturing the beauty that is Ney and Jennifer

Ney and Jennifer, Chinatown

We are professional Argentine Tango Dancers. We have spent the last four years traveling and teaching tango in such places as Italy, Poland, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Romania.

About a year ago, we opened "TangoVida," an Argentine Tango studio and shoe store on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Taylor Street in Nob Hill.

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Before I had tango crushes on both Ney Melo and Jennifer Bratt, I had a serious girl crush on just Jennifer, and more specifically, on her feet.

For those scant few tango dancers who still read this blog occasionally (I know there's still a few of you), you know exactly what I'm talking about. Graceful, expressive, and sexy as hell are just a few ways to describe the way Jennifer dances, and like a lot of other people, I pored over her tango tutorials at Bewitching Black Lotus.

And the thought of dancing in the exclusive and uber-tango-fashionable Comme Il Faut shoes gave me even more incentive to try to learn to dance like her.

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When I actually met Ney and Jennifer, I was so touched to see how down-to-earth and kind they are. And then became so ecstatic that they were such generous and wonderful teachers because to be honest, I was star-struck and so terribly shy at meeting people whom I had admired from afar for so long. I wish Ney and Jennifer had been my first tango teachers... after taking their classes, I realized I had a lot of dancing baggage to unlearn. I became a much more comfortable, confident and relaxed dancer because of their encouragement.

On Russian Hill

The opportunity to photograph Ney and Jennifer for the i live here: SF project was just the most incredible experience for me, and a chance to pay tribute and honor this special couple who has brought the soul of tango into the hearts of so many people around the world.

This was the photo shoot that I've teased you with recently here and here. It's also full of so many gorgeous images that I was fairly stumped at trying to select my favorite ones to share with you, although the entire set is available on flickr, and when you see them, you'll understand why it was so difficult to choose.

You can read Jennifer's SF story here, and Ney's story is here, with links to the flickr set as well. I hope that you find them as beautiful as I do, and if you're in San Francisco, that you'll stop by Studio TangoVida for a class or a fitting of incredibly gorgeous shoes. I promise you'll fall in love with them just like I did.

Dude, next time try a stilletto.

I've got several pairs you can use. These silver ones look pretty fierce.

Although you're probably in jail now. And I don't want to send a pristine and beautiful pair of tango shoes to Iraq. They were expensive. The shoes, I mean. (Iraq was--and continues to be-- expensive, too. In too many ways to discuss on my dumb little blog.)

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Not that this has anything to do with anything, but it kind of reminds me of when we used to go to the zoo as kids, and sometimes the chimps would throw poo at the crowd watching them. Honestly, I don't know what else chimps throw, but they can throw poo quite far. (Obviously an animal in captivity throwing feces is a sign that it's under duress and it's not funny, but when you're under the age of 10--mentally or physically-- you don't think about things like that.)

People would scream and laugh and run away and then come back again, but stand a just a tad farther away-- this time where they decided was outside of the perceived Poo Danger Zone.

One time a chimp-flung piece of poo flew about two (hey, that rhymes) inches over the head of a man we were standing next to. All he did was whistle and say, "Man, they should get that chimp to pitch for the Giants."

Herein ends my juvenile humor for today.

not.

By now, you guys know how I am.

Double Your Pleasure

I have been wearing tango shoes all day, since 8am (oops, I mean Wednesday am--I am writing this after midnight).

I don't know why this never occurred to me, to wear my Comme Il Fauts during the day, to work. But it finally dawned on me that I don't need to save my stash of beauties for the dance floor.

I adore the shoes above and they fit really well. But for some reason this particular pair doesn't have enough support in the heel and I can't dance in them. They have actually been collecting dust, which is totally shameful. So I wore them to work and they made me very happy: to have tango feet at work, on the train, walking down the street. And I got compliments on them, too--a bonus.

And then when it was time to dance tonight, I switched to these puppies. I think these are a little too sassy for the office. I'll have to work up the courage to be seen in these shoes during daytime hours.

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The milonga was nice, okay. No fireworks tonight. I saw some friends I have missed a lot. And I left earlier than I thought I would. You know, it happens.

But I was so happy to have that one dance, to "Milonga Triste," which, when I first started dancing tango, I used to listen to on continuous loop. I love this haunting piece.

When this song starts, it just makes me ache to dance to it. And luckily, someone asked me to dance so I didn't have to miss it.

He was very sweet and obviously loved the song as much as I do. He paused and moved to the music. And he smelled nice.

So that was a great way to end the day.

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If you want to hear "Milonga Triste," I've found a lovely little video for you. The dancing perfectly matches the feeling of the music, another nice surprise before bedtime tonight:



Good night, everyone.

xo

Go Here

This is the place.

For this.

And this.

And this.



But not these.


Because they are mine.


Covet.


Go on.


Anyone wanna dance?

PS. I realize that I will soon be assassinated by the Comme Il Faut ninjas for photographing these shoes, but I don't care. They're worth dying for (almost).

Ney and Jennifer!

I couldn't be in two places at once yesterday...but if I could have, I would have been enjoying Ney and Jennifer and their new studio downtown! Studio Tango Vida on Pacific Avenue in Nob Hill.

It's so exciting to have them here in SF, and in a beautiful new location that sounds perfect for them...and us!

Here's the link for you. From what I understand, they have a Comme Il Fauts shoe store, too. Oh my!

The Calm in the Eye of the Storm

"Please send me your last pair of shoes, worn out with dancing as you mentioned in your letter, so that I might have something to press against my heart." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Someday I hope to have a pair of shoes like that.

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Cellspace again tonight. The dancing does have a wildness to it that I am not used to. Lots and lots of crazy boleos and ganchos and leg wraps. And twirls. Twirls?!!

I am not always able to hear and feel the music because so much movement is distracting me. Plus, I got kicked twice and stepped on once. I cannot believe my fishnets survived such abuse.

But there was yet a new Tango Angel who made it all worthwhile. He made me forget those other people even existed. He hummed and sang the music softly while we danced. He danced so smoothly, so calmly. Pausing and moving to the music so I would hear the music though his movements. Waiting for me and not rushing me through my steps. Letting me do my thing. It was a partnership.

And then I self-wallflowered when I realized I had already danced my best dances of the night. So I got to enjoy the others enjoying each other and captured a few moments before calling it a night.

Good night, tango. Good night, tango dancers everywhere.

Un beso.

De-Flowering/Flowering

“Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess ever renders man happy.” ~ Voltaire

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I have been de-slumped. Lifted from my tango inertia.

De-wallflowered.

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Last night I wore my silver shoes again, for the first time in what seemed like forever. I have worn flamenco shoes and ruffled skirts and ballet slippers and leotards over the past weeks, and my tango shoes have been left untouched.

I put myself on tango hiatus. I went into tango hibernation. I sent myself to my Tango Time Out Corner.

Somewhere along the way, I have been making myself crazy trying to keep up with the Tango Joneses. I don't even quite know who or what those Tango Joneses are, but all I know is that a dance that made me fall in love with myself, others, and the world was making me unhappy and dissatisfied.

I was tired of pretending that it was okay to be a wallflower and that I didn't mind it. So, like when a house isn't selling, the wise realtor takes the property off the market. So I took myself off the market, and found some other things to do.

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Last night I went to Cellspace with Ms. Red Shoes. (If ever you need to be in the presence of a gentle, soothing soul, seek out her company.) In all of the weeks and months and now years that I have been dancing tango, I have never gone to this milonga. In my mind, I had decided that it wouldn't be a good fit for me, due to its reputation for being "alternative." I am, in my heart of hearts, a milonguero's girl.

And, as per usual, the things I set my mind against end up being the things that surprise and delight me the most.

I was not a wallflower. I did leg wraps and crazy big ochos and volcadas and I liked it.

And since I've been wondering for a while now if the Tango Angels had forsaken me, there is a new one in town. He is from Boston. He has to be the loveliest dancer I've danced with in a long time. I am sad for the girls in Boston. I am tentative in my excitement, not because I wouldn't love to dance with him any time he asks, but that I am used to my tango angels fading away after a while. But maybe that's just how it is and I'm only realizing it now.

I am purposely emerging from my tango hibernation slowly. I'm not going to jump into the deep end of the pool like I usually do.

I'm going to dip my toes in the water, and walk back in from the shallow end this time.

Here, There and Everywhere

In the spirit of the Grammys honoring the Beatles again (presented by Tom Hanks, no less, so that's really an honor in itself, insert sarcastic tone here), I have decided to name as many of my posts/themes after Beatles' songs whenever possible. (Actually, I'm not sure what point I'm trying to make except I think that giving the Beatles a(nother) Grammy is like deciding to give the Buddha a retroactive Nobel Peace Prize. The Beatles are the greatest band in rock history, so what is a Tom Hanks-presented award going to add? (If we taught Beatles Appreciation 101 in schools and outlawed crummy bands covering their songs, then that would be starting something useful.)

In his own tribute today, the guy with the accordion who plays outside of Mocca on Maiden Lane was doing his version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, which has to make you laugh a little but he's a cool guy and we always smile at each other, so I didn't giggle. I renamed the song in my head to While My Bandoneon Gently Weeps. I think about George Harrison a lot anyway--he was my favorite--so that was a pleasant reminder.

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So...back from Seattle. Where to start? I'm still a little tired so maybe a numbered list would be best to keep me from getting too stream-of-consciousness here.

1. Song Title: Eight Days a Week. You cannot have a vacation combined with tango classes and milongas. You really have to choose one or the other because if you sightsee, then you miss out on classes and getting pretty for milongas, or else you go to classes and dance and then you're too tired to sightsee. Or, I'm totally wrong on that and I just need better time- and foot-management skills.
2. Song Title: Come Together. Seattle seems like a wonderful place and I hardly got to see it, so I guess I'm going back. The city itself, and the surrounding 'burbs, remind me in parts of Marin County, a very cleaned up Santa Cruz and a little SF thrown in the mix. The people are really friendly and there's just a nice vibe in the air. There was also a lot of rain in the air and it was freezing cold, so that's another reason why I didn't get to do a whole lot there. We drove around and I peeked out the window at a lot of great shops, restaurants, etc., all of which would have involved being subjected to the elements. And apparently Seattle is a haven for nature lovers and being outdoors (when the weather permits) as all of the parks and lakes and trees must be wonderful in the sunshine. We did go to Pike's Market (awesome) and I took some pics that I just posted to my flickr account.
3. Song Title: She Loves You. Or I'm Just Happy to Dance with You. Probably the biggest thrill/enjoyment/happy time I had (which should make this Item 1 and not Item 3 if we were ranking things in this list, which we are not) was to finally meet Elizabeth and the famous Alan, and to dance with Alan and Mr. RealityPivots. I was a little nervous to dance with both of them because it's one thing to read what someone writes and like what they have to say, but it's another thing to be in someone's arms dancing and hope that there's some connection and chemistry there. I'm glad to say that this weekend had some of the loveliest tandas thanks to these two wonderful dancers, and I am very sad that I won't have the opportunity to dance with them often. I also got to sit with Elizabeth and we actually had a chance to talk which, as you know, trying to chat with someone at a milonga can be close to impossible. We sat together and just being in her company was a total pleasure. I'm also grateful that Elizabeth and Alan saw fit to introduce me to some of their friends so I could have some other wonderful leaders to dance with.
4. Song Title: I Am the Walrus. Taking Ney and Jennifer's class on Friday night was more of the same fun I get down here at home, although I kept ending up rotating to the same two leaders more often than not, so I didn't get to dance with many people even though it was a fairly large class. But the follower's technique workshops on Saturday were intense and I just could not keep up at the end. We had two classes back to back, with only a 10-minute break in between, for a total of almost 4 hours on our feet. We learned all of the things that Jennifer breaks down in her youtube tutorials, but seeing them demonstrated in person and then practicing them over and over again will actually give me a fighting chance at doing embellishments someday. However, most of the embellishments for me are like patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. The faster the embellishments get, the more I can't seem to do them. At the end, the OFF switch I have in my head flips and I literally can't move or think. I was wiped out before the class was over and when we got back to our place, I had to soak my feet in ice water to numb them and take a bunch of Aleve.
5. Song Title: HELP! Make sure that you don't have an expired driver's license when you get to the security checkpoint at the airport. I'm not going to go into all of the details about that now, but it was a rude surprise to me (obviously I'm letting certain things fall through the cracks these days) and having to get out of the regular passengers' line and get into the special line where the terrorist threat-types get seached and questioned is not the best way to travel. Plus, the young airport security guy called me Ma'am and I hate that. Technically, I guess I am a Ma'am but I don't need to be reminded of it. I am very grateful to The Boy for FedEx-ing me my passport so I only had to go into the Terrorist Line once.

We went to two milongas: Century Ballroom and Dance Underground. Century Ballroom is this magnificent old place, with a huge smooth floor and lots of room for moving fast around the room or taking your time. It's one of those rare venues that makes you want to be on the floor dancing because you know its had thousands of dancers' feet on that floor and you just want to be a part of its history. The Century milonga was very hard to cabaceo, perhaps because it's so large and also for me because I'm a new face and no one seemed willing to take a chance on me, but I wish we had a place like that here in SF. Dance Underground was a cozy, smaller studio with a very friendly feel.

Ney and Jennifer gave a beautiful performance at Century Ballroom and as I watched them dance, I was so grateful that I get to have classes with them fairly often (when they aren't traveling). It's one thing to get used to taking classes with them, and they're so kind and patient and encouraging, but then you see them dance together and you get a little starstruck. You stop yourself and think: "Wow. Those are my teachers."

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Song Title: With a Little Help From My Friends. Mucho thanks, gratitude and kisses to Ms. Wellspring for arranging everything in Seattle and being my personal concierge and traveling companion, and many thanks to Ms. Ari and Delegate Dan for so generously hosting me and my 500-pound suitcase full of crap I didn't wear.

LaMaleva Tango Tutorial: Caricias - Embellishment

Here is one of the embellishment tutorials I mentioned below. Obviously I'm not the first to discover these beautiful feet on YouTube, but I'm glad I finally did!

The Queen of Embellishment

Embellishments are my tango fixation at the moment. The dainty, sexy flourishes that make some tangueras the stars of the dance floor. When I watch other women dance, I can't help but watch for their embellishments.

I am at an impasse regarding embellishments. I feel comfortable enough now to follow most of what I am lead (or maybe that's just my impression) and technically I know that I should be able to add these lovely movements when I want to. I know most of the songs I dance to, and most of my dance partners are familiar to me.

But I freeze up...and instead, do nothing! How do I break the embellishment barrier? I'm a little bored with myself.

I've heard of Jennifer before and seen her advice column. I just discovered her tutorials on YouTube, which have inspired me even more, although I know I will need something more than a video to make me feel like I can do these moves and not look like a klutz.

Jennifer's skills are impressive and her moving feet (and shoes!) are gorgeous! I'm hooked!

http://www.youtube.com/user/BewitchingBlackLotus

She also has a written tutorial outling the basic do's and don'ts of embellishments, a nice feature.

http://www.close-embrace.com/embellishmentarchive.html

The Workhorse

These are my go-to tango shoes. Every time. I have them in green, too, but somehow it ends up that these silver sandals are the ones that carry me across the dance floor.

When I went to Buenos Aires last year, I really did not comprehend what an extravaganza of shoes awaited me. MJ, L. and I were gluttons. I don't know how to say it nicely. We went out tango shoe shopping every day for two weeks. We didn't want to miss anything.

Our teacher told us to stop buying shoes. But we didn't listen. And every night we would have a fashion show before going out to a milonga and the others in our group would clamor to see what "the girls" had bought this time.

(Well, maybe they didn't clamor, but they were interested.) We were very fashionable. It was fun!

So I barely got everything into my suitcase. I bought 12 pairs of tango shoes, a whole bunch of dulce de leche for Mr. L., and some hats from the flea market in San Telmo. I had to leave some clothes behind at the hotel just so I could cram all of those shoes in my bags.

A year later, I find that this silver pair is the winner. Some pairs I've worn maybe once. Some are completely abandoned. This silver pair wasn't the one I expected to fall in love with. But that's how love works, right? You never can tell.

The Red Shoes

Dorothy had a pair. The girl in the Hans Christian Anderson tale had a pair, too (but she had a very bad time because of them--and then she died.)

And now I have a pair of red shoes that are super fine! For tango, of course!

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Last night I gave them a test drive at the Sunday night milonga at Studio Gracia, thanks to some wonderful dance partners who made me feel like I was floating on air.

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Even though these are the highest heels I've danced in to date, they are quite easy to move in and look H-O-T!

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I've got to hand it to these Argentinian shoe designers. Who could dream of dancing on pencil-thin, 4" stiletto heels and only have good things come of it.

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I feel like Rita Hayworth in these shoes! Love you, Comme Il Faut!

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PS. The above link for Rita Hayworth is a medley of some of her best dance numbers, with Fred Astaire. If you didn't know Rita was an extremely talented dancer, you are in for a huge treat!