There is a waiting list for rock dancing

Anyone coming from the outside and observing what is happening in the room will remain on the sidelines, half-detached and out of tune. inside There is a kind of rock music, but it is danceYou hear the instructions first, then the music later. The faces all seem to have a mask on, because they are smiling as if the camera is running.

But none of that: they’re just having fun and having a good time, as if that wasn’t enough. The stranger, who looks out but does not take a step there, does not understand it, but gives it Bronchitis. “Move, bounce, set, triple, now,” the teacher’s voice is heard in this Night class at the tanguería in San Telmo where rock music is prevalent.

The room is full despite the cold night. The steps are synchronized, the students follow instructions perfectly, and no one is ahead of anyone else. The first part is more technical and informative, Then the music comes and magic takes over the room.

The person on the outside, the person who sits down and can move his ankles, begins to understand what is happening on the field, where he is Mixed audience of very different ages, ranging from 20 to 60 years old. The mechanism flows, the couples spin, and to the rhythm of Jerry Lee Lewis and his “Great Ball of Fire” dance and a smile of fullness, they merge a block of granite.

“It is a smile of enjoyment, luxury and contentment as well,” describes one dancer free And take some time to talk to him Clarion. Rocks stimulate the body and mind at the same time, and strengthen the heart and muscles. “It improves memory, mood and creativity, but above all I dance because it makes me happy.”leaves Lorenzo Badin speechless, who says as he passes by that he is the head of the Department of Gastroenterology at the Duran Hospital.

“I wish I could have started dancing earlier, but I was unable to do so due to my commitments,” says the 65-year-old doctor, who was born in Coronel Pringles. “About nine years ago, GooglingWe met Andrea, my partner, Gente de Rock School, and it became our favorite pastime. The social part of this school is very important because in addition to the great classes, we met people our age, who had the same passion as us, we became friends and shared holidays too.”

Paying attention to the class, but while waiting to match up with her partner, Berenice Becker accepts a quick round trip. She is the youngest, 20 years old, studying graphic design and started dancing on the recommendation of her cousin. “The atmosphere in this place is priceless… The seasons have amazing character and energy thanks to TeachersWith whom I learn a lot. I started in April, I’m so over the top I can’t take it anymore. because? On the one hand, movement is always good for the body and mind, however Especially since I always come out smiling and this changes my mood.”.

Berenice, who studies German, admits that since she was young she has been fascinated by national and international rock music. “I was amazed by the number of people in the class. When I asked about the reasons, they told me about the atmosphere, the liveliness, the happiness… my favorite songs to dance to? You never call and tellBy Chuck Berry and It’s a hot mamacitaby the Mojo Blues Band.

All praise goes to the director-couple Gente de Roque, Juan Manuel Aron (44 years old) and Ana Castro (40 years old), the creators of a trend that has gained followers, become a fad and Today is a boom where you have to sign up for dancing and be on a waiting list.

“There is clearly a return to rock dance classes, just as it used to be tango, and now it’s rock,” says Aaron. “In particular, our school has taken a gradual and steady path, and today we are at the best moment.”

“We have made Gente de Rock a meeting point, a common place for dancing and socializing, which fills us with pride,” emphasizes Castro. “The rock, which has become clearer than before, It’s a good excuse to look for other things, to fight loneliness. Therapeutically, as you’ve seen, to get out of the rut, put the problems aside for a while.

Ana and Juan Manuel met in 2012 to take rock lessons in La Viruta and later became coaches. The following year, as a fledgling couple, they opened their first headquarters in Nuñez, at her request but with his support. 12 years after that opening, Gente de Rock has 10 locations, 28 weekly classes, and over 800 students. Many of the teachers were students of the school. The cost of four classes per month is $24,000.

“It’s true that we don’t have a place, that’s why we don’t promote. On the other hand We seek to ensure equality between men and women in every category. We conducted a sociological study and found that women are more encouraged and come in greater numbers. We try to keep the ratio 60-40 percent, no more. It costs a man more He gets frustrated faster, but when he lets go, no one can stop him. Women are more flexible and unrestrained“But also more volatile,” the directors describe. “Obviously we teach rock dancing, but not so they can go out to compete but so they can enjoy the space and the company.”

At the headquarters on Siena Street the call is important, there are about 50 people eager to enter the track. There are lawyers, accountants, doctors, and employees in hierarchy and rank, but everyone in the class is equal, not only because of the lower ranks of managers, but also because Majority in jeans and jogger Having fun without being noticed becomes the limit.

A woman exchanges glances and appears ready to speak before she begins to swing. “All my life I wanted to dance rock music, can you believe it? I started in 2019, was interrupted by the pandemic and resumed in 2022. I trained in other schools, but Gente de Rock is the place I got addicted to because of the camaraderie that exists and because it is very dynamic. Dancing makes me fly, takes me out of the routine, and entertains me. It’s the one appointment I don’t want to miss. “My school days are non-negotiable.” Nieves Villa (56 years old), an employee in a perfume factory, expresses himself strongly.

What makes Nieves excited is the progress she has made in recent years. “The steps The movement, ease of my body, and stability I have achieved is noticeable.My progress is very bad, and if you add to that you are amusing yourself and You meet new people, and as if that wasn’t enough, your mood changes.“And then you take care of a space like this as if it were a treasure.”

Almost everyone is inside the room, and Alejandra Roldan, 57, is adjusting the details and allowing a quick back-and-forth before Rock “And be erased from the world.” She has been dancing rock music for 12 years, the kind that brings joy to the life of this retired artist who lives in Boydo. “Here I come and set myself free, “The mind travels, it’s the most authentic version of me, because I can express myself without bias.”The woman dancing sympathizes with Eduardo, her partner “who is just as good at rock music as I am and whom I met in class.”

The energy reverberates quickly and reaches those on the outside, those who witness but are not separated. There are over 40 people on a path that sparks sparks and exudes goodness Vibrate. Continuous movement, dynamics and repertoire ranging from Canterville Ghost, Just a gigolo and Green onions until Prison rock and A crazy little thing called love They raise the temperature. Faces light up. The bodies are equal. “There is no age here,” shouts a woman.

Thumbs up from a gentleman taking a break. “For me, it’s the before and after. When you listen to rock music and don’t dance to it, you appreciate the music from one point; but when you start dancing to it you discover a world of rhythms and times, And music is necessary to feel a feeling you have never felt before. It’s a physical thing, and it’s not easy to explain. When you notice this, another world begins in your connection with music and dance,” analyzes Gustavo Tahmsyan, who dances with his wife Gabriela, both of whom are specialists in systems and technical support.

Gustavo highlights the importance of sharing the game with your partner. “It opens the game up to other activities, such as trying different pitches, listening and looking for new musical themes And even adding other outings, now with classmates. “Undoubtedly, it helps to break the routine and refresh the bonds, especially in our case, when we work together.”

“And when does it start?” Juan and Anita ask mischievously once class is over. In the face of what might previously have been a resounding no-no, after noticing how people enjoyed it, An unexpected “nor” is installed and the needle seems to tip the scale.