Carnaval month is definitely over. The last of the Milongas del Carnaval at TV Publica Argentina took place on the 28th February 2015. A Murga group from Uruguay, where Murga is even more popular than in Argentina, opened the evening with a rousing performance. Murga groups do not sing 'carnaval' songs about festivities, but create mostly satirical versions of current international and local affairs, political, social and cultural. Albeit my understanding of the satire and humor was limited due to the rapid delivery of the stories in Spanish, the little I did understand was hilarious. Nothing is sacred...even the sublime is made ridiculous.
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| This group dressed as if participating in a padded up game of American Football. Most Murga groups are only accompanied by drums and tamborins, this one actually had a guitarist. |
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| Dancing to a live orchestra - the Orchestra Tipica de Canyengue. Six bandoneons and six more musicians played all but canyengue - Arienzo, Pugliese, Biaggio...but no canyengue. However, there is a certain 'je ne sais quoi' which makes dancing to live music so unique...every nuance is a surprise, and can be interpreted creatively by the lead - and his follower. |
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| The stands were filled with more spectators than during the previous performances. A large number of dancers (I among them) occupied the tables reserved for 'bailarines'. Quite a number of couples, but a surprising number of solo dancers allowed for non stop dancing. Of course, with an audience like that, many male leads feel compelled to 'show' their expertese', meaning introducing every known complicated amalgamation of steps in tango, vals and milonga. I was put through my repertoire by a couple of energetic bailarines, forever thinking of the mess of wires bordering the rubbery floor. With many of these dancers 'showing off, to the disgust of the old milongueros who merely aim to be elegant, getting kicked in the shins and being stepped on was only to be expected. I have the bruises to prove it. Many women outdo themselves with 'adornos' involving high kicks, which put everyone in reach of their feet and six inch heels into mortal danger. Dancing on somewhat sticky rubber made for difficult pivots - of which there are plenty in tango. However, the floor had improved over previous milongas. When I commented about that to my dance partner, he laconically responded: "Yes the floor is better, because it is dirty." There are benefits to a layer of dust.... |
