During the practice earlier that day, Marika and I danced one tango and then another, each time filming them and then later watching and critiquing the improvisations. Then we tried "En Esta Tarde Gris", Marika felt my mood during this song and as soon as it ended, she said "This one. This is the one." http://youtu.be/j1kd4ZPXDdM
Color Cielo by D'Arienzo Laborde Carlitos Espinoza & Noelia Hurtado, Luciano Brigante & Alejandra Orozco and Ney Melo & Marika Landry
http://youtu.be/lQmzEt__rrI
Solo Compasion by D'Agostino/Vargas Carlitos Espinoza & Noelia Hurtado, Luciano Brigante & Alejandra Orozco and Ney Melo & Marika Landry
http://youtu.be/LUVHeNVIfvc
El Bulin de La Calle Ayacucho by Anilbal Troilo Carlitos Espinoza & Noelia Hurtado, Luciano Brigante & Alejandra Orozco and Ney Melo & Marika Landry
http://youtu.be/R503GPrAc0M
"Ney, we are very slow in this part of Finland. We like to take it easy." Me: "But you guys invented the mobile phone!
"Yes....but we invented it slowly."
On Friday night, 30 minutes before Marika and I danced at Nou, Thomas (the owner of Nou) asked us if we would be open to the idea of dancing to live music since El Cachivache Quinteto (a wonderful tango orchestra that is touring Europe at the moment. If you get a chance, check them out.) was in the milonga that night. He said "no worries, if the audience doesn't like you and clap enough, we won't do it". (I love the German sense of humor.) Later, the pianist, Pablo, informed us "It's an original song of mine....and it has a big romantic Hollywood ending." That's it, that's the only "guidance" we got.......but, once again, we thought (almost hopefully) "hey, maybe the audience won't want it."
After dancing 4 songs, it appeared that the audience wanted one more! So it was time for us to dance to "the song we never heard before". Pablo took his place at the piano and we stepped onto the dancefloor. I heard the opening notes, walked over to Marika, and I embraced her. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with this feeling: "I miss her. I miss her terribly." Everything came rushing back to me at that moment: her voice, her smile, her laugh.........her eyes. Those big, beautiful eyes which I had looked into and realized, much too late, that I had hurt their owner's feelings. The realization that all these wondrous places I would travel to would now look a bit less beautiful because her eyes weren't looking at these places along with me. Regret and sadness took over and I realized that the "plan" I had going into the performance was not going to happen. Part of me said "not now. I don't want to feel this now." but another part said "just go with it" and I did. It was a strange feeling to let my sadness move me and to not know where it would take me. I can't remember any of the movements we did, it is only by watching the video later that I can see what happened.
This morning, I was trying to find out the name of the song and I received this message:
"I don't know if you know the story behind this song but watching you both dance to this interpretation with only piano.....I have never heard it like this before and it is beautiful."
I learned that the song was written by Pablo while he was in Buenos Aires because he missed his love who was in France at the time. It amazed me how I knew nothing of the story of the song but yet I was able to feel exactly what it was about.
So, without further ado, we present to you "Para Vos/ For You":
http://youtu.be/KTQ64SbaELY
Marika and I walked to the park and we saw the stands for the pedal cars. We didn't see anybody that was managing the bikes, and I got impatient so I said "let's just get on and start riding". As soon as we start pedaling, a big woman jumps in front of the bike. I swerve to avoid her and start heading in the direction of a light pole. I pull on the brake to stop the bike and it doesn't work so we crash into the pole!! The woman starts cursing at us in Hungarian. She also said "this car has no brake!!" to which I then reply "well, Madam, that is dangerous! We could have driven into the Danube!" There is a moment of tense silence.......and then she starts cackling at the thought of us falling into the Danube! So then we start laughing. We all laugh for about 5 minutes. There were tears coming down Marika's cheeks!
Tonight I sat with choreographer Marika Landry and watched a run-through of her upcoming show "Chispa: Ni Olvido, Ni Perdon". When asked for my input, all I had to say were minor things; in general, I was thoroughly impressed with the dancers, the choreographies, and the story. I can't wait to see it fully costumed and onstage on June 19 & 20!
