These are my links for November 10th through November 12th:

• Tango Mercurio –
• Sharna Fabiano’s listing of Non-Tango tracks –
• Tango Argentino de Tejas – Stephen Brown's tango page; resources around Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas
• Cell Size and Scale –
• Irene and Man Yung’s Tango Blog: Buenos Aires 2008 – Part 4 – Your partner can be a world-famous show (or even salon) tango instructor, or the most skilled follower in the local tango community, but she would still not come close to what dancing with a milonguera like Elba (or Susy Tilbe – Man Yung had a chance to dance with her on the first day of our first visit to Buenos Aires) feels like. "Milonguera" seems to be a state of mind that could be transmitted to the leader when the milonguera follows. It is a deep feeling, which also feels like complete freedom. You don't have to worry about whether your partner can follow or not follow, or whether something would be "too tricky" or "too plain" or "too easy" or "too difficult". The milonguera dances to enjoy the dance, she is not anxious about being able to follow everything that the leader is trying to do (even though she can, and she does), nor does she care. It was as if Elba had given Man Yung the order to "dance, dance!" and that was all he needed to do – to dance.
• Are You a Leading Cheater? « Movement Invites Movement – Why can’t Jorge make the follower do what he wants? The answer lies in the question: the word “make”. It is not in his nature, his personality, or his dance to “make” a follower do anything. If he feels that his follower cannot follow a certain movement, he simply will not do it again.

Ⅰ will try to collect some hints, rules and statements Ⅰ believe are important for followers; at least Ⅰ will cover things that Ⅰ appreciate and seek in a good follower.

On good communication

These ideas are not about technique, they are not about style. These are the foundations we will need if we both want to have enjoyable dances. No matter which level we both are at.

Relax and do not think.

Do not try to think what Ⅰ might have just lead or might want from you. If my lead is clear – do the step. If it is not do not do anything. This way Ⅰ will adapt my lead and my vocabulary to a set we both can enjoy. This way we both will leave the floor with a better feeling, with a feeling of a dance that was enjoyable. Otherwise Ⅰ will be annoyed by a follower who does „things on their own“ and you will be irritated by unclear leads that put your mind at unease. Relax and do not think.

Do what you do.

Taking in mind the previous statement Ⅰ require you to do what you feel you have been lead into. The steps come naturally when the elad is clear, so do not resist them because you are unsure if they are right. When you change weight, do so in time and fully. Do not hold back, fully commit to whatever you do. If there is a miscommunication, do not worry about it, Ⅰ will adapt to it. It is my job to do so. It is yours to present me with constance, reliability so Ⅰ can do mine.

Do not go into „Robot Mode“

Yes, you might have learned steps and figures, sequences of steps and figures. But you cannot expect Ⅰ will lead them the same way, the same order. Just focus on the moment and the step that is. Not the step that was or the one that will be. Also do not do automatic steps. Watch for your automatisms and get rid of them. Do not „auto-cross“, do not do „hammer-crosses“, where you ram that leg into the cross no matter what the music and my lead is saying. Do not do steps in double speed „just because“. Please listen for my lead and do just that.

Adornos and Embellishments

When you are experienced enough (and fast enough) do small adornos, but never adornos that disturb the flow of movement, that disturb my possibilities for new leads. If you can do so and it fits the music, please go on. If you need time for a special adorno, signal me, show me you need time, you will get it, you will get any time you need. But be prepared to signal me with your body, and listen to my signals that there is time.

Anticipation

Do not anticipate movements or directions. Close your feet, do not lock your feet into a position that takes away half the possibilities for movement. You will be faster as well as more open to anything. There will be reverses of direction that you will never be able to anticipate – and you are taking away so many possibilities if you do so.