At the end of the pandemic, maybe a new start?

Tangogal said:
I like your rose-tinted glasses!

Sports hall: can be expensive to hire. Often has a strict closing time (usually 10pm where I live). Often has a shoes code e.g. no outdoor shoes, non-marking soles only and definitely no high heels! A lot of competition from other groups.

Hidden costs: obviously organisers’ time! But also advertising, insurance (venues often require organisers to have their own), heating and lighting - sometimes there’s a meter and sometimes there’s an additional fee, sound equipment and storage- a cheap system won’t last very long and an expensive system can’t just sit in someone’s car all week. Stationery: most venues require you to have a sign-in sheet for fire safety. A lock box for money. These days you also need to bring disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer.

You can’t run a milonga without either a bar or a refreshments table. A practica can be run without either but it’s best to have some water on hand.

I also think that if tango can’t sustain itself then it’s going to die out. So it’s better to have a few for-profit organisers than to have many hobbyists. Burn-out is very high among voluntary organisers.
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The key issue is that we now need a reasonable floor - which usually means indoor, or at least covered. And that brings all the extras: chairs, changing, water, etc. (BYO)

Whilst I've spotted a few videos from Argentina during, or probably with some relaxation post-lockdown, of milongas in the park or similar, it's become less practical in Europe (depends on country) - even if you take a floor! First, there's the weather. Then there's the developing issue of private 'public' space, e.g. some covered area adjacent to some building. It's owned by the building's owners and you have limited access. You may get permisdion to use it if it's considered 'art' or 'cultural'. Bylaws can affect use of park space (no picnicking, no ball games, etc). Can't even access some bandstand (protected against vandalism). About the only place I can think of might be a public beach (apparently sand is ok to dance on - barefoot or flats; no high heels!)

You're right. Unless someone owns a barn with a suitable floor and makes it available, it's going to cost. As you said, there's liability insurance and the rest unless you go for an illegal rave or it really is a small 'private' gathering.
 
Tangogal said:
..think that if tango can’t sustain itself then it’s going to die out..
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I understood itwillhappen's contribution in such a way that the current situation is not only due to the lack of hardware, but to the lack of commitment and struggle on the part of the aficionados. I see the salsa scene coming back in my town Hamburg: There are nine salsa parties from Thursday to Sunday, five of which are not organized by the established studios. And there is only one independent tango milonga among the many professional offers. The tango dancers leave the field to the full-time stuff.
 
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opendoor said:
The tango dancers leave the field to the full-time stuff.
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Few full-time staff for AT here. You need the big city, or travelling teachers for that. It's a secondary interest for teachers, health workers, etc. Another dance venue is hired by a retired agricultural worker - but they don't teach AT; just provide a venue. The music probably means it isn't a milonga by some definition.
 
I have difficulty classifying the actors as professionals, commercial or full-timers, let alone aficinados. I think only very few in Europe can earn their living with tango - I mean at least a rented apartment, midsize car, health insurance, an adequate pension fund, maybe a family, and so on.

I do think that commercial teachers are good and necessary for the influx of new beginners. In a crisis, the pure operation of milongas can probably be maintained without them. I think I will join a tango club again that organizes both.
 
I think there are more cooperation now!
We have several organizers in town and it has been problematic with events hitting the same weekend. The new trend is to more regularly cooperate around those occasions and I suppose some weekends are cooperation all the way. When two and sometimes up to four organizers are taking the risk and their active members to the events the dancers can get two orchestras and/or high level performances on one weekend more often.
 
LadyLeader said:
I think there are more cooperation now!
We have several organizers in town and it has been problematic with events hitting the same weekend. The new trend is to more regularly cooperate around those occasions and I suppose some weekends are cooperation all the way. When two and sometimes up to four organizers are taking the risk and their active members to the events the dancers can get two orchestras and/or high level performances on one weekend more often.
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Cooperation is good!
 
Well, I guess my continuing resolution to not get back to dancing yet feels justified. Another of my hobbies is hiking / trekking / climbing mountains, which can find me on trails without seeing another soul for hours, and I've done a heck of a lot of training since January for an upcoming climb. If I get even mildly sick now it would blow my chances to make the summit of Mount Baker in the Northern Cascades.
Our reported covid rates here are running at about 10x what they were last July, but the health authorties think it's higher with unreported at home testing positives.
I think after the climb I'll be willing to take my chances with being out dancing again, "a new start." But man do I miss it, and especially the social part.
 
I’m back doing a limited amount of dancing but only because I’m currently immune! I caught covid in April (despite being vaccinated, boosted, generally cautious and always wearing a mask in public spaces). Unfortunately covid stole all my energy and most of my concentration so I’m not physically able for too much activity.
 
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