Let's Face the Music and Dance

“A good dancer is one who listens to the music... We dance the music, not the steps. Anyone who aspires to dance never thinks about what he is going to do. What he cares about is that he follows the music. You see, we are painters. We paint the music with our feet..." ~ Carlos Gavito



Gosh, I haven't watched this video in ages. This video feels positively prehistoric to me.

It's the only video I have of me dancing tango.

I have to try to love this video more than feel terribly uncomfortable watching it (i.e., cringing) because I was having such a wonderful time dancing, with a leader that I love to dance with. But I also have that inner critic watching me, looking at my form, tsk-tsk-ing at all of the mistakes I made. And then that brings up all of my other tango-related issues.

But then I look again, take my imaginary hands away from my eyes and remember the warm summer night, the music, my new shoes (that dance was a test drive for a new pair of shoes from Argentina), the pleasure of dancing to a song I love with someone who likes dancing with me. The impromptu creativity of the dance where you never know what the next step will be but you just feel the music and follow what you are led. Painting the music with our feet.

And at the end. How we laughed.

I have to send an email to that guy and say hello. It's been forever and a day. I need to get my dancing shoes out. For reals.

***

ps.: The story of the video is here.

pss.: "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is one of my favorite Astaire/Rogers numbers, from Follow the Fleet. I know the film is not as well known as some of their others, but I really like it.

psss.: A nod o' the head to Gabby and Lala, who both in their own little ways inspired this post even though they might not realize it. And to my sweet friend Red Shoes, who was brave first and who will get me back on the dance floor sooner than later.