Stress and festivals
All week long, I have heard people worrying about their dancing: is it good enough? Do other people like dancing with them? Does their technique look ugly? Is their dance boring? Can they please learn another fancy move before the Valentango festival? Why do they struggle with milonga? Or musicality?
This happens whenever folks get ready to attend a festival. Somehow, it feels like a junior high dance all over again: wallflowers, the “in” crowd, and everyone in between. Am I going to be popular? What do I need to do to be acceptable to the “in” crowd? Why do I feel inadequate? It does not help that a lot of tango dancers were NOT the “in” crowd as teenagers. There are a lot of tango dancers who are introverts, but still venture out into huge crowds for festivals because tango pulls them into this situation.
Share the tango love
Take time this week of Valentine’s to tell a favorite partner why you like dancing with them! Encourage a new leader or follower by asking them to dance. Smile at someone, even if you don’t plan to add them to your dance card: don’t pretend you didn’t see them! Dance with a stranger. Compliment a pretty dress or fancy suit. Make one other person feel good, and YOU will feel good. I promise. And: I like dancing with you!!
For Valentine’s Day and Valentango, give the gift of kindness.