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Yowei Shaw's parents practice their tango steps in Buenos Aires. (Yolan Shaw)
When Yowei Shaw was in college, her parents' relationship started to change. Maybe it was empty nest syndrome, maybe it was a midlife crisis — she's not quite sure. But after taking dance lessons on board a cruise ship, her parents turned their lives upside down for the tango.
They went from a couple who stayed home watching the History Channel to dancers going out five nights a week, perfecting their technique. They even renovated their house to make room for a dance floor.
A few months ago, they made the trip to Buenos Aires, the tango’s birthplace and epicenter. They were dying to study under the dance stars whose videos they'd watched religiously on YouTube. But their daughter observed that if tango solved some problems, it created others.
Is there a hobby that's taken over a relationship in your life?
A creative passion that brought you together, or pulled you apart? Tell us in a comment below, or by e-mail.
Contributors:
Yowei Shaw
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Comments [9]
As long as she doesn't hit him upside the head during close embrace, they're gonna be just fine. Good medicine.
Wow, Yowei, this is a really rich piece. I love how you involved all the family members in the story telling and how you gave a voice to each of your parents. You showcase many facets of your parents, of committed relationship, and of social partner dancing. Your piece is transformative, just like then tango.
Great story! I really admire your parents - both for taking up the tango and for letting you report on them.
Thanks for all the comments and for listening to the piece!
I am so lucky to have been able to produce this piece for Studio 360 - it was a lot of fun, but more importantly, an excuse for me to get closer to my parents and discover what this new hobby has done for them and their marriage.
I've tried to dance tango myself a couple times... and it wasn't pretty. I wholeheartedly admire anyone who has the focus, patience, and coordination to get through the beginning phase of this complex dance to actually have fun in a milonga.
OMG! I know many people who are in exactly the same situation. Gonna tell all my friends!!
OMG! I wrote a whole book about this! It's called Shut Up & Dance!
www.jamierosestudio.com
Amazing piece! Gonna tell all my friends.
Tango as a Music and dancing expression is either a powerful catalist and in your parents' case an opportunity to experience intimacy at a different level. For this reason it is challenging for established couples to see the partner in somebody else's arms; now remember that at the end of the night you'll reap the benefits of it...
As someone who's also danced tango, I think you've captured the transformative power of the dance and the way it can change you as a person.
It's rare for a relationship to withstand the pressure of tango - it's great to hear about one that's actually become better for it. Wonderful story. (And cool parents!)
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