a little dose of tango inspiration

i am so excited by this incredible adorable fantastic male-duo tango performance that i had to share it with you right away . . . . click it, you won't be disappointed. i promise!




{thanks to ms.heartbreak-tango for the head's up}

trying to catch up

new post, new post!

oh my, how did an entire month go by without me updating my swellspring?

what with christmas, visiting family, new years, road tripping from oregon to san francisco, getting laid off {while on maternity leave, imagine that!}, designing myself a website and raising a newborn, my blog has kind of taken a back burner. so this is just a triage post, to let you know i'm still alive, and to try to get us caught up.

so what's new & noteworthy.....

{alesia's new quilt made by her grandma....and she's 3 months old now, by the way}

{a new addition to my family: a mini cooper in peacock teal! ultra-fabulous! i took this photo at a look-out point on highway 101 on the oregon coast with one of my most favorite spots in the world in the background: heceta head lighthouse}

{alesia's 1st tango lesson, with none other than my favorite tango teacher, ney melo, at his studio tango vida. also note jennifer bratt's incredible collection of come-il-faut shoes displayed in the background....jewels for your feet!}

{speaking of feet....i'm able to wear hottie heels again, and am loving it. oh and i've only got about 5 more pounds to go until i'm back at pre-pregnancy weight. phew!}

{my first manhattan since getting pregnant. it was a long time comin' and i loved every sip!}

{i got a new queen mattress set & alesia got a new bumbo.... moms if you haven't heard of the bumbo baby seat trust me and go get it right away. it is the best baby docking station i've found so far. so now both alesia and i have new comfy places to chill ~ ahhh!}

{vicente wolf's book "crossing boundaries, a global vision of design" is a new favorite that i highly recommend ~ lots of design eye candy and gorgeous photographs from all over the world, madagascar to myanmar}

what's new with you? goodness gracious i've missed blogging, and i've missed you!

chihuly and di sarli at de young

yes, you read that right..... both dale chihuly's glass work and carlos di sarli's tango were found together in one night at the de young museum in san francisco's golden gate park. it was a magical coming together of artistic pleasures. but, before i delve into that evening specifically, this requires some background: i'm sure it's obvious by now that i enjoy tango, but less known is my affection for chihuly & his work. he is from tacoma washington & also attended my alma mater there {univ of puget sound}, so i became well aware of him in those formative college years. his work is on campus and all over town ~ beautiful adornments where ever you find them. and his studios are there too. i find it particularly perfect that so much genius beauty-making comes from a small city placed right on the puget sound.

the puget sound is one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth. not only on land but below the depths of the sound too ~ the largest concentration of cepholopods in the world are found in the waters {that run so deep the deepest point has yet to be measured}, and phosphorescent water creatures are incredibly prolific here too {full moon kayaking here is divine}.

not to mention the snow capped mountains that surround the emerald forests & vast waterways..... the inspiration for everything creative and contemplative is never ending.
and this is where we connect with tango ~ the creative and contemplative. i've been dancing since i was 4 {i still have my first pair of tap shoes} and have tried many forms of dance from west african to bhangra to ballet and none have evoked such depth of connection as tango. for me it's the perfect blend of feminine and masculine, an exchange of creative surrender and inspired decisiveness, a transfer of energies made more beautiful by mutual understanding and trust. all done to the most evocative of music.on the very same evening as the first ever milonga en el museo, you could also go down stairs and see some of the most extraordinary blown glass ever made. being able to take in the sounds of di sarli and the feelings of tango, while also getting completely absorbed into chihuly's mystical glass wonderland was something so fabulous i couldn't help but try to share it with you here. {many more photos here}


this post wouldn't be complete without a soundtrack to get you in the mood:
CARLOS Di SARLi

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{1st photo of puget sound by wild celtic rose. 2nd puget sound photo by canis latrans. all other photos by me}

a pregnant dancer

on being in the sfdc studios & performing again:

for the last month my tango teachers have been blessing european tango communities with their charm, beauty & skill. so with my extra free nights in the week i signed up for a fusion dance performance workshop {taught by the diva of delight, jenni}. in 4 weeks time, 20 dancers went from nothingness to a complete 7 minute piece that we got to perform before a live audience, twice. {this is all because jenni has vision and skill and perserverence, just so you know}. it was a challenging and fun experience to not only perform with a group again but to do it while in the middle of pregnancy. i got a bit frustrated that i couldn't jump as high or balance as long or get up off the floor as easily as my pre-baby-bump body, but for the most part i was really happy with the results. i even did a few partner lifts and had much better stamina than i expected. i was asked by several people if i should be doing all that while in my condition. i suppose the thought crossed my mind a little, but not long enough to stop me. i am a dancer. that is what i do ~ it's one of my greatest passions & joys. so why should i not continue it even if i am gestating? besides, i really think the little peach liked it too. the music, the movement, the positive energy i was flowing. so i'm glad i did it and am planning to continue dancing until i literally can't any more.
{that's me on the far left arching back, and in the photo on the right i'm the one almost in the middle of the clump of dancers pulling on that high leg while looking down at the ground}

on being back into the tango vida:

{gorgeous image by smooth}

with the performance workshop over and a week break for work & vegas reasons, now this week i've jumped right back into tango. and none too soon. ney & jennifer are back with more vitality than ever and even though i'm a bit bigger than last time they saw me, i still felt like a shining star in their capable tango hands. i've enjoyed happy reunions with my tango community friends ~ lots of belly rubs and comments like "wow you can still move that beautifully in 4 inch heels?". why yes, surprisingly, i can. sure the balance is a little off, but the strength and muscle memory is there ~ and i think my musical connection is stronger than ever. the senses are much more heightened during pregnancy, so perhaps that has something to do with it. i was worried that my embrace might be off, what with a little someone now very much between my partner and me, but that fear was unfounded. maybe for the leads to dance with me it feels kind of like how it feels for we followers when we dance with a man who has a big gut? it's not like you can't form a great embrace and walk with ease even if there is a bit more between you than with other partners. at any rate, tangoing again feels incredible, and i dare say there may be a new tango angel on the horizon ~ thank heaven's.

{my dear friend seth & i dancing at a wedding}

{all photos of me dancing taken by jendita}

invitation: milonga en el museo

would you be so kind as to join me in a celebration of argentine tango dance and music at the de young museum in san francisco's golden gate park. . . .
friday evening, june 27, 6:30 pm
hosted by terence clarke and beatrice bowles
admission to the milonga: free

come dance with me

ok fine folks, i told you it was coming ~ and now it's officially here. studio tango vida, the newest and easily most gorgeous tango studio in san francisco has opened its doors for your dancing pleasure. ney melo and jennifer bratt are the proud owners and they are offering classes every day {except sunday} for beginners thru advanced tangueros and even some special lady's technique classes.

they are also selling comme il faut's for the ladies and a custom-made men's tango shoe from italy that they became rep's for after their last trip to italia. the photo just above is ney showing off his amazon-green alligator shoes {that just so happen to match the wall paint color} from the men's line along with his new rug from argentina {he's *very* proud of both!}.

i took two classes last night & will be taking another two tonight. so now i can give you the official report that the fresh, hip space is a delight to be in! the brand new bamboo floors are fabulous for dancing ~ i don't think my pivots & ochos ever felt better. the accoustics are great ~ it's not a huge studio but just roomy enough, and di sarli sounds perfectly enchanting within. it was a warm night, so they kept the front door open to let in the breeze and many passersby stopped to take a look. i'm sure the sights & sounds were just too much to keep from stopping to take some of it in.

after the last dance everyone agreed it was a blessing to be there. also, ney & jennifer shared champagne left after their opening party on sunday, so that certainly helped with the blissful vibes. but, believe me, you won't need bubbly to come alive on this dance floor.

so if you're in the bay area please make a point to stop in for a class soon {ney & jennifer are here for the month of may but they're off to tour in europe for the month of june}

and if you're not in the bay area, now you have an even greater reason to come visit {hint hint, wink wink, mr.you-know-who}

studio tango vida

pssst.....

new word on the tango street is,

ney melo & jennifer bratt are opening their own tango studio right here in san francisco!

may 2008, make plans to head on up to pacific & taylor to experience traditional argentine tango with two of america's best tangueros at studio tango vida!

seattle report

the pictures really tell it all {click on the collage to see a larger view}. we explored intently, we dined exquisitely, we danced incredibly . . . . . it was a fabulous weekend. i got to spend quality time with dear old friends and met some lovely new ones {working artist blogger elizabeth & her wonderful husband alan, most notably}. tangobaby was a fabulous travel companion and i'm so glad we got to share these adventures together.

lead with your heart

for my dear tangobaby {and all other interested parties} i'd like to share the summary of lessons learned last night. jennifer bratt is in town so she added her beauty & charm to ney's class, always a nice bonus.

ney has been teaching us fancy milonga rhythm steps for the last couple weeks and last night was the most advanced & intense so far. we learned not only 3-beat but also 5- and 7- beat versions of some fast & fun footwork. however, far and away the most valuable lesson from the night came when ney & jennifer were talking to us about the proper embrace. this is a frequent topic in ney's class, but last night's discussion took it further than usual. he spoke about placements of hands, heads, torsos ~ the wheres and whys. did you know the lady is like a fishbowl between the man's palms? he must keep it steady & balanced, lead clearly with all of his hand, lift & lower as needed but never tip it over. and did you know the lady must lead too? but in a different way altogether. we must lead with our hearts! as ney was describing how the man should present his rib cage & lead with his chest more {he even showed examples of leading the complicated milonga steps without using his hands at all} jennifer chimed in to say, actually for the ladies we should be leading with our hearts ~ present our hearts to the lead and keep them out there no matter what comes. if we always return to this our dance will be elevated.

how beautiful is that?

speaking of beauty, all these gorgeous tango photos are from alex.tango.fuego.

he has a website, a blog, and a flickr account. he's talented, he's cute and he's charming. and head's up ladies ~ he's single.

also ~ as long as i'm blogging about tango, i must say i am just entirely too giddy about going to seattle this weekend for tango workshops with ney & jennifer, to meet the seattle tango community at milongas, and to see old friends {and meet new baby james!}. i'll also get to be tour guide to tangobaby since she's never been ~ i can't wait to swoon her with all the lovelies seattle has to offer.

long live leading with our hearts!

milonga me happy

{el valenciano}

last night in my tango class we learned some fancy steps to milonga {the speed version of tango}.
wait, let me back up a moment to exclaim blissfully that my teacher ney is back. oh yes, ney is back! his passion and kindness and teaching brilliance we sorely missed the last month, and it felt so great to get his big hugs & hear his classic "si o no?!?" and "ciao papi!". after class, the energy was running high and almost everyone went to el valenciano for a night that felt like a joyous reunion. at least to me. i haven't been there in a month and it felt great to see so many familiar faces and dance so many tandas. it seemed like everyone else felt the same way too. lots of contented smiles on the dance floor. i danced two full tandas of milonga for the first time and i must say, i didn't know i had it in me. it felt so incredible! i even got compliments from several leaders on my improved fluidity and strength. wow. really? is that what a month off does? at any rate it had me soaring and if it weren't for my feet killing me i could have done it until dawn. here is a delightful rendition of milonga ~ no, this isn't quite my skill level {yet. ha!} but it's certainly something to get inspired by and put an extra spring in your chilly january morning step. happy wednesday!

to tag & be tagged

i'm flattered to have been tagged by my new blogging friend, nunu pepe ~ a south africa based design adoration junkie {whom i'd love to go visit someday}.
as some of you may recall, i got a similar tag last year, but making it an annual thing is fine with me. and besides of course there are way more than 7 additional quirky little known things about me that i can share. :o)
here is the nitty gritty:
link to the person who tagged you and post the rules on your blog. share seven random and/or weird things about yourself. tag seven people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

here are my seven:

1. learning to tango has changed my life for the better in more ways than i could have possibly imagined and now i doubt i'll ever stop doing it.

2. i am easily chilled and i just can't stand being cold. so i do many seemingly ridiculous things to keep warm {i have a heating pad at my desk chair at work, for instance}

3. i love hot chocolate ~ especially mexican hot chocolate. i drink it a lot.

4. i wear a white lab coat every day at work {& so does everyone else i work with, including orlando}

5. i speak italian & once lived in milan, italy

6. i can never be too long away from large bodies of water and deep forests

7. if i was challenged to buy the best piece of furniture for under $300 within 5 minutes or else i wouldn't be able to keep it, i'd go directly here and buy the ghost chair {designed by philippe starck}

the fascinatingly talented ladies i'm passing the tag torch on to are {in no particular order}:

vineeta artnlight , sew sally , tangobaby , chloe, the froth , diana muse , emma's designblogg , decorno

about last night

my first real pair of tango shoes worn at my first milonga where i danced with my first tango angel. oh my.
i didn't get home until after midnight and i dreamt intense tango dreams all night. i want to keep that feeling alive, and so i offer this:



i'll be taking lessons with them {michelle & murat erdemsel} on saturday and i cannot wait.
oh and my first private lesson with jennifer bratt is friday evening.
see i told you i was addicted,and i'm not ashamed of it in the least.
also, many many thanks to tangobaby for the kindest sweetest post ever today.

tango color palette

this gorgeous painting by dvora kanegis {found on tango cherie's compelling blog} has been in my mind a lot lately. it would look really really good in my new bathroom project. hmmm.....

through another shade of grey i discovered this really fun online toy: the color palette generator. you can upload any jpg and it will automatically pull a color palette from it for you. enjoy ~ but beware there is a slight tendancy towards addiction.

el nivel siguiente

my first tango series is over and now it's on to the level two series. plus i begin follower's workshop style classes on mondays. obsession much? yes, unabashedly, yes.
my first tango guru, the always insightful tangobaby, posted about this couple recently. while she was in venice. really. this tango couple {michelle & murat erdemsel} are so romantically musically amazing she took the time to blog about them while on her vacay in venice. and i am so grateful. a whole new inspiration to behold. and to share with you ~ happy thursday!

rainy morning refreshment

{photos collected from flickr, montage composed by yours truly ~ best if viewed large, just click on the image}

and this scene reminds me of rain {the black, the white, the syncopation, the intensity} so i'm adding it in here for your friday morning viewing pleasure

{an interesting part of tango's history was men regularly dancing together, for several reasons. decent women of good reputation in the 1800's didn't want any part of the sexually explicit dance style, and brothel women had to be paid.....so if a man wanted to practice the new dance the only possibility was another man. apparently groups of men would gather to practice improvise & innovate, which is what allowed the rapid development of this dance style. to be a good dancer was {still is} a sure way of attracting the ladies' attention, so men practiced among themselves so they could surprise and attract admiration from others}

tanguera nueva

last night i not only met jennifer bratt and ney melo ~ i got to take a class with them! considered one of the most elegant, skilled & connected tango couples, it was a privilege and inspiration to learn some movement from them and watch their sparks fly up close.
to see what i mean {well if you haven't tried tango you may not understand just how incredible they are, but trust me this is way more difficult than it looks}, check out this video clip of them dancing to carlos di sarli's nido gaucho, and soak in the passion ......