Tangue Canyengue - back to the Good Old Days

Carlos Gardel, el Idolo del Tango, in one of his many films dating back to the Thirties, dancing - what else - Canyengue.....

 

Canyengue, an old form of dancing tango, if not the first style to hit the dance floors of old La Boca and San Telmo, is still alive and experiencing a kind of 'renaissance' in Buenos Aires and a few countries around the Globe.

Buenos Aires, staged the annual Tango Canyengue Week in February 2016.

Put on by MOCCA (Movimiente Cultural Canyengue Argentino) and staged by an enthusiastic team of canyengueros, especially six Maestros, it offers an enthusiastic group of students to learn during eight hours of classes, practice during 'Penas' and Milongas, as well as watch Canyengue Performances.

 

 

 

The Flyer.....
 

Maestros from left to right..
Maria Laura Collavini, Manolo Gallego (83 yrs) Nelda Lewis - (middle: Mary Isabel Aragon, organizer of Milonga Solidaria) - Gustavo Negrotto, Roxina Villegas, Junior Abreu (Brazil)

 Some of the group of students hailing from around the Globe:
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Rumania and the United Kingdom

How' it's done....

Abrazo Canyenguero 

The classes were instructive and fun, the airconditioning in the class rooms - less fun. As a matter of fact, it was - Buenos Aires fashion - not working at all. Canyengue Week unfortunately coincided with one of Buenos Aire infamous heat waves, and la 'termica' (perceived temperature) reached 30 degrees - even during the evenings. Ceiling Fans stirred the hot air around, and one of them had to be 'immobilized' as it seemed on the verge of joining the class happening below it.
Classes were a test in perseverance and perspiration....but, we all hung in there regardless...working through abrazos, caminatas, little jumps here and there, kicks and twists. All to the regular 2x4 beat of Canyengue. Every beat has the same impact, whereas in tango only beat 1 and 3 are emphasised, and 2 and 4 are almost 'silent'.

Senor Canyengue, the workshop canine, participated in everything, except the the 'official' Milongas at Salon Canning and La Nacional. He quietly observed all classes and practicas, without voicing a single complaint, never wearing his doggie tango shoes, which were obviously made for the females of the canine species. But, instead 'warming' a few laps above the ambient furnace heat, whenever someone sat down to rest...

For the 'Pena Canyenguera', a kind of open party, pub, milonga affair, the class room was decorated for the occasion - with the help of students and maestros alike.

Hand made garlands hanging from the ceiling, chairs and tables come out of the back rooms, and lovingly prepared table decorations are placed on each 'mesa'....all turned the bare room into a little 'festival hall'...60 pesitos Argentinos got you in (students participated gratis..they danced and worked there way in) and one enjoyed ALL tango rhythm tango, milonga and valce. Solely Canyengue could turn boring even for the most ardent aficionado...

The kitchen 'at the back', staffed by a young couple, feed the hungry with home made cakes, hot empanadas, sandwiches, and other delicious tidbits. Cold beer, wine, soft drinks and water kept the perspiration flowing....

 

The 'sorteo' a kind of 'lottery' for the winning entry tickets to the 'Pena' surprised a few lucky dancers with little gifts...I had misplaced my ticket of course...

 

Los Maestros taking the honours after three great performances at La Pena, Salon Canning and La Nacional.....

All pupils received their 'Certificate', now we are licensed Canyengueros...

Senor Canyengue missed out on his certificate - AGAIN!!!

 

Last Day of Canyengue Week....Valentine's Day...one wears red

 

...and everyone is a Happy Valentine's Day Canyenguero....

 

A little change from 'serious' tango, this week was a delight, despite the suffocating heat, which almost paralyzed dancers and instructors alike, kept Buenos Aires steaming in its own juices, and put almost 300,000 of its inhabitants into the dark - no electricity. We were lucky - all classes and performances had ELECTRICITY....

 

AND HERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK....THE VIDEO

 

                                   Yes....it was fun, divertimos canyengueando....