He is teacher to the teachers, mentor to the maestros and when he speaks of his pupils it’s always with the pride of a father. “I even taught Andrea Misse when she was just 10” says Jorge Dispari  bending down to emphasize her height at that age.   Dispari is an expressive man whose passion for dancing is matched only perhaps for his penchant for Marlboros. 
He was a tremendous influence on me in the brief time I took classes with him in Buenos Aires in February and here we are again, Jorge and me…in London.      

Everyone has their style icon when it comes to tango.  For me, it’s definitely Jorge Dispari.    He brought tango to life for me by deconstructing the dance and the music. . 

I stumbled on his class in Buenos Aires this past February and stumbled across him here again in London when I logged onto http://www.eltangazo.com/tango_news.php .  Like our www.Tangotang.com website, the site is a one-stop shop for milongas and classes in London—check it out!  The Dispari’s were in town June 19th-22nd 2008 for classes at the invitation of Alex and Stefano, a locally based set of instructors. (www.tangoinaction.com)

When I first meet him he’s standing in the alley, having a smoke...of course.  He recognizes immediately and greets me.  When I took his classes he was tough on me, but it was all part of his charm.   The location is The Union Chapel Studio Theatre on Compton Avenue on June 22nd, 2008. 

It may be the start of summer solstice but it feels like a Hong Kong winter.

We’ve got some time to kill before the milonga starts.  We decided to go for coffee and as we enter the café Dispari stops me. He’s agitated.  Unfortunately smoking is now banned everywhere indoors in the UK and that’s not sitting well with him.  So we go to the park in front of the church, sit down.  He lights up and begins talking about tango.

He’s feeling frustrated about the way in which milongas here, and I suspect in many parts of the world ignore the natural flow of the dance floor. 

“It’s like swimming against the current of a river” he complains.   “And what’s with all this dancing in circles?” he says exasperated, drawing deeply on his Marlboro until it goes out after reaching the filter. 

 “When we did a performance yesterday dancing in a circular way using the whole dance floor, people’s eyes widened” he explained again using his hands to express the wonderment and confusion of his audience.  

“Many had no idea what we were doing” he says.  

The Dispari’s, Jorge and wife Maria del Carmen don’t so much perform, as give a live demonstration of Villa Urquiza style.  They dance using the entire dance floor as if it was a wooden, (or in the case of Union Chapel, a plastic), canvas.  

Their steps are slow, deliberate, elegant and full of pauses, something he feels is lacking in the more aerobic “Nuevo” stylings.  He doesn’t dismiss them, they’re simply not his style. 
“Every barrio has its own style” he explains. 

“So there’s London style, Hong Kong style?” I suggest and we both laugh.  For Dispari, there’s only one style and it’s all about the “caminada”--the walk.

“I could show you two thousand steps, but it wouldn’t make a difference” he tells me.  What matters is how you walk.   Despite having worked with and mentored Javier, Geraldine, her sister, his step daughter Samantha, Andres Laza Moreno and others,  “I’m no maestro” he laughs, “I’m still learning.”  

“I’m only 50” he laughs pointing out the surviving milongueros are now in their seventies and continue to have an influence on him and others.  I’ve noticed this about many rising stars and established teachers.  Regardless of the different styles and competition between artists, all pay a dutiful respect to the milongueros. There is a sense of history and almost chivalry to those who've come before.  Jorge changes into an elegant white double-breasted suit while Maria del Carmen arrives and kisses me on both cheeks.   

This Sunday milonga is quite well-attended with a wide range of skill levels.   This is the third London milonga I’ve been to over the last three days and each one is unique but there’s a common thread. 

All are rather laid-back in that typical English manner that is both reserved and informally familiar.  It’s all “self-serve”.  If you want to make friends, you introduce yourself and make the effort.    

Thankfully there’s Anastasia and Ulyanna, two Russian girls transplanted to London from Moscow.  They’re beginners and what they lack in technique they more than make up in charm and good humour.    

Alex and Stefano’s students perform first and the Dispari’s are on their feet with a standing ovation. Then it’s time for the featured act.  The Dispari’s start with a milonga. 

Note the fluid movements.  Nothing is rushed.  All the steps are completed and deliberate.  Also, note how they flow across the dance floor.
Here’s their tango in full.

The encore is a joint performance with Alex and Stefano. 

It’s nearly 11:30pm, the tube stops in 10 minutes so the milonga clears out.  “When will we see you again?” the Dispari’s ask. 

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Last update: 26-06-2008 20:27

Published in : Blogs, Travel