Personal Lives

Dancing in the Streets

In Argentina, Tango Dance is a very rich part of the culture.  It is said that Buenos Aires gave birth to the popular dance style in the 1880s.

It was a time of significant immigration for Argentina as people came from Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Poland.  The new foreigners would gather in brothels as a way to meet women and socialize.  For entertainment,  a solo flute or guitar would strum a pleasant melody while the couples danced and laughed.

As the years went by, the dancers often spilled out into the streets and the dance spread throughout the city.  The musicians formed bands, lyrics were written and story telling became part of the new art form.  While ballrooms or dance clubs grew across the countryside, the street performers remained a strong part of life in Buenos Aires.

Numerous movies and performances have spread the beauty of Tango around the world.  Studios teach the moves and techniques to dancers of all ages.

Yo-Yo Ma said “The tango is really a combination of many cultures, though it eventually became the national music of Argentina.” Whether you think about the music or the dance, it was born out of an immigrant mix.

It is impossible to watch a performance without feeling the emotions of the piece. Watching the dancers glide across the stage, kick and turn, and lift and spin is breathtaking.  It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the lyrics, you can feel the story.

I am amazed that it continues to be a street art in Buenos Aires.  After 100 years, I would think the people would loose interest, or move onto something new.  Dance moves come and go – think of the “Jitter Bug” or the “Twist”.

The cultural heritage in Argentina is rich with Tango.  Maybe it is the mixture of cultures that makes it strong and enduring.  You know, the sum of the parts is greater than the pieces.  Maybe it is the story telling within the dance moves that captivates an audience.

I hope you enjoy the video performance from Buenos Aires.  Dance performances come in many styles with diverse cultural backgrounds.  I’m going to look at my community arts calendar and go see a dance performance.    The music, the passion… why not go and experience it?!  Joy

Best Dressed in Paris

Fashion and Paris go together.  Fashionistas and celebrities travel from all of the world to see the latest creations from the design houses.  Clothing designers are some of the most popular artists of our time.

The great French fashion names are well known – Chanel, Dior, Vuitton, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent.  Every season there are new, up and coming designers that travel to Paris for their time in the spotlight.

This video clip is from a newer designer, Gareth Pugh and I liked how it gave a behind the scenes view.  It’s amazing how these shows set the trends and colors for the next fashion season.

Christian Dior once said – “It is not money that makes you well dressed, it’s understanding.”

Understanding the fashion designers can be quite difficult.  Are they trying to shock us with an outfit?  What is the designer saying with that guarded, almost walled-up jacket?  Is that black and white striped skinny pant a “must-buy” this fall?

While most of the clothes on the runways are not going to be worn by the average person, it does give everyone the feeling of sophistication.  We follow the celebrities in their glamorous  lifestyle and try to bring it into our own lives.  If you think about it, understanding how clothing reflects our personality is easy.

Taking the time to put on an outfit and makeup, just makes a person feel better.   Dior was right, I don’t have to spend a lot of money, it just takes effort. Why do I always wear the same jeans and t-shirt?  It’s no wonder that nothing exciting ever happens in life, is it?

So today, go look in your closet and find something colorful, or flirty, or powerful.  Pick out shoes that make you stand tall and proud.  Add a great necklace or scarf and don’t forget the lip gloss.

Imagine you’re in Paris on that runway and go strut your stuff!

Something great is going to happen – Joy

Cultural Eating in NYC

One of the best things about NYC is the food.  Everywhere you go, you can see the mix of cultures and the many different foods we eat. The city is a feast of flavors, ingredients and traditions.

Immigrants from all parts of the world brought their recipes to New York.  Visiting the city’s neighborhoods can feel like an around-the-world adventure in dining.  From Chinatown and Little Italy to Harlem, a great meal is just a few steps away.

Many foods are recognized as being “New York’s Finest”.  The list has to include the obvious:  bagels, hot dogs, cheesecake, pizza, pickles, knish.

Many people don’t realize how many dishes were created in the grand hotels or restaurants over the years.  New York chefs created the Waldorf  Salad, Red Velvet Cake, Lobster Newberg, Steak Diane and even Thousand Island Dressing.

Another cultural fact about New York is that in 1837, the first, fine dining establishment in the United States opened – Delmonico’s.   The restaurant also started the “Celebrity Chef” phenomeon when Chef Alessandro Fellippini began to develop the now famous Delmonico Steak.  He is also credited with inventing Eggs Benedict and Banked Alaska.

One of my favorite books is Arthur Schwartz’s New York City Food.  The book traces over 400 years of eating history and is loaded with pictures and recipes.  I love thinking about how our cultures and foods develop.

If all this talk has made you hungry, why don’t you look in your favorite cookbook and make something new?   Or go visit that new restaurant and see what’s on the menu.

Happy Living Global with Fine Dining!   Joy