Argentine Tango (1/9): The Beginning

Career-wise, I was at the top of my game. Physically, I had severe bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. I was fatigued, with acute arrhythmia and high blood-pressure. I was burnt out. I took three days off. Before 6AM Pacific time, I was awakened by a ringing phone. It was an unusual phone call from Japan, from a friend, my former staffer, darling Miho. “Do you have the TV on? Turn on to CNN.” I turned on the TV and saw the second plane flying into the second tower. It was the morning of September 11, 2001. I was profoundly shocked, deeply saddened, and affected. While mourning the tragedy, in my mind, I played a scenario of my own life so far. I could have been a passenger on those planes. Why should it take tragedies of this magnitude to make one reevaluate one’s priorities in life? I did exactly that. I concluded I wanted to live. I mean to ‘get a life’ and live the life! It was time to do all the things I always wanted to do and never had the time for. Over 25 years of 24/7 jet-set, soul and energy-draining jobs, which kept me single for 20 years, must come to an end. I must live!

There I was, almost middle-aged. I was going to literally live the cliché, live each day as if it were my last. Once I was fully rejuvenated, I would start some kind of a low-impact, part-time job. But, until then, I had to make the most of my time. I took class after class: How to start a small business, how to be a food critique, how to write a travel book and many other “how tos” including, how to sell on eBay!

Meanwhile, I could not believe how lovely simple grocery shopping could be. It had previously been a chore, as I dashed through the aisles to gather necessities. I now had time to actually smell the produce and squeeze to find softer tissue.

Assasination Tango (2002)

One afternoon, I turned on my TV. Oprah was finishing an interview with Robert Duvall and Luciana Padraza. They were promoting their new movie, Assassination Tango, about a seasoned hit man,  John J. sent on a job to Argentina. When the General he’s sent to kill delays his return to the country, John passes the time with Manuela, a beautiful dancer who becomes his teacher and guide into Argentina’s sensual world of the tango. Spellbound by the rich and mysterious world Manuela has shown him, his idyll is shattered when the reality of why he’s there comes crashing down around him.
Oprah asked them if they would perform the dance number from the movie. The music started and the couple began dancing.  I had not seen any dance as beautiful.  Music which penetrated the soul and movements that arouse passion!

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That’s it!  That is what I wanted to do! Argentine Tango !!!

Truly, I did not know how to go about looking for classes. I asked around, but no one had heard of ‘Argentine’ tango. I searched the internet and the yellow pages. However, for some reason, I did not find any information.

One Sunday, I was with my dear, long-time friend, Janet. We were walking from the parking lot toward a newly opened, high-end shopping strip, Santana Row in San Jose, CA. I suddenly heard faint Argentine tango music. I asked Janet to excuse me and started walking toward the music. My steps got faster and faster to see where the music was coming from. In the distance, I saw couples dancing. By the time I reached the location, the dance had ended and the performers were packing to leave. It was a demonstration to promote Saturday classes being offered by Sheldon Utley. There was one brochure left on the table, I grabbed it.

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Santana Row, San Jose, CA

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At the time, I was progressing through several “how to” classes on Saturdays and it wasn’t until several months later that I called Sheldon.

Around the same time, I went to the closest ballroom hall to check out their dance lesson programs. To my delighted surprise, they were offering Argentine Tango classes on Thursdays. At the front counter, a young lady informed me that before I could take an Argentine Tango class, I had to complete a prerequisite. I needed to finish advanced American Tango. If that is what it took, that’s what it took!

To make the most of my driving twice a week, to a 45 minute class, why not take classes for other dances offered on the same evening. I took four classes in a row. Then I thought, I’m free, why not take classes on my other free nights as well. I became a dance addict. After 16 weeks, when I had completed advanced American Tango, I also had completed advanced Waltz, Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Salsa, and beginner classes in Bolero, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz and Swing! At that point, I was qualified to sign-up for an Argentinean Tango class!!!

Thursday night beginner’s class! I introduce myself to Nora!

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Tango Argentina  - By Artist Misha Lenn

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Click here for Part 2

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