There is room for different types of events as long as there are enough dancers to sustain them. What works in other social dances doesn’t work for tango. A tango scene doesn’t need to be “Buenos Aires Lite” it can be New York Tango or Berlin Tango and incorporate the culture and ambience of the locale.
Cabeceo and Other "Rules"
- Thread starter Gssh
- Start date
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Well, some do, some don't. While it's true generally that tango dancers don't drink much, there are some venues where they drink. Places that serve alcohol always try to encourage people to drink but it doesn't always work and few of them have full bars. The one place here with a decent bar seems to do okay though. I almost never drink while dancing. And I dislike eating and dancing. But that's just me.
We have one more or less successful milonga at a small Argentine restaurant. I went once. A lot of the dancers go for supper and seem to enjoy it. The floor is *very* small, though, and fsix couples can fill it. Often they have a singer or a duo. It doesn't draw a large crowd but the folks who go seem to like it. And it's on a Tuesday, a slow night for them, so they do okay on an otherwise slow night.
Depends how you get there and how you're getting home. In a city with a useful public transport system, yes, you can drink, otherwise it's nominating the designated driver if you're a couple. In that case it's take your own water anyway since there's no point in having a bar for anyone there.
Done the ballroom dinner dance - eat first, dance afterwards. Also a New Year's Eve party milonga with food. Again, eat first.
Can't see a regular weekly/monthly milonga incorporating eating out. Just want to use any worthwhile space on offer. It wouldn't benefit the restaurant, my waistline or finances.
Can't see a regular weekly/monthly milonga incorporating eating out. Just want to use any worthwhile space on offer. It wouldn't benefit the restaurant, my waistline or finances.
I personally dislike eating and dancing. Even finger foods and cakes. There’s something about food and a clean dance floor that doesn’t mix in my head. Again I’m a little out of step as I see plenty of dance events with food. I’m ok with running a Christmas party with mice pies and wrapped sweets but only once a year!
I can, however, make an exception to some 'finger foods' - well away from the dancefloor. A Sunday afternoon or a very late Friday milonga can be helped by empanadas or cake (still not good for my waistline). Hmmm, back to topic: are empanadas a codigo we've been missing, or shouldn't be doing?
Mice pies? Is that down to economic, food safety, or a new, trendy, menu (along with the slug vol-au-vents and cream of rat's tail soup)? Or that published US misunderstanding of mincemeat? Yes, someone really published a recipe with actual minced meat - ground beef over apple. Reported here (apologies for the newspaper). I've done plenty of typo and spellcheck errors myself
I'm afraid it was an autocorrect on mobile. Didn't spot until too late to edit.I can, however, make an exception to some 'finger foods' - well away from the dancefloor. A Sunday afternoon or a very late Friday milonga can be helped by empanadas or cake (still not good for my waistline). Hmmm, back to topic: are empanadas a codigo we've been missing, or shouldn't be doing?
Mice pies? Is that down to economic, food safety, or a new, trendy, menu (along with the slug vol-au-vents and cream of rat's tail soup)? Or that published US misunderstanding of mincemeat? Yes, someone really published a recipe with actual minced meat - ground beef over apple. Reported here (apologies for the newspaper). I've done plenty of typo and spellcheck errors myself
TTanguero
Forum Master
I've definitely experienced that. In London, it seems ingrained to the point where even when the band leader said 'Please, dance' in the first song, people still sat.
I think I'm responsible for most of the thread drift in this one. Apologies everyone. Now to continue the drift:
What exactly do tango dancers want from an evening?
My observations:
1. Alcohol - they want the option to drink even if they don't actually buy any alcohol
2. Dance floor - they want a real dancefloor not just a corner of a pub or restaurant. In fact they want one of those nice sprung wooden floors that can be found in some hotels and clubhouses from the 1950s
3. Someone else to do all the organising! They'll turn up if it's made easy for them but any extra effort will really put them off.
4. Music - they want music that is easy to dance to and are not concerned about authentic golden age recordings or rare orchestras.
5. Food - meh! Most dancers don't care either way.
6. Hosting - tango dancers love a good host. They expect a lot from them too. I've come across visitors who introduce themselves at the door and expect the host to show them around and introduce them to suitable dance partners as if they're in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
What exactly do tango dancers want from an evening?
My observations:
1. Alcohol - they want the option to drink even if they don't actually buy any alcohol
2. Dance floor - they want a real dancefloor not just a corner of a pub or restaurant. In fact they want one of those nice sprung wooden floors that can be found in some hotels and clubhouses from the 1950s
3. Someone else to do all the organising! They'll turn up if it's made easy for them but any extra effort will really put them off.
4. Music - they want music that is easy to dance to and are not concerned about authentic golden age recordings or rare orchestras.
5. Food - meh! Most dancers don't care either way.
6. Hosting - tango dancers love a good host. They expect a lot from them too. I've come across visitors who introduce themselves at the door and expect the host to show them around and introduce them to suitable dance partners as if they're in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.
They sound like a lazy bunch, you should train some new ones
Alcohol - depends on the location of the venue and how the majority get there. If there's a public transport system that works at all hours, or I can walk there, then I'll have a glass of wine. Tea/Coffee - no, it's mostly jus de chausette. I don't need overpriced mineral water, so chilled tap water is fine, and I usually take my own.
Dance floor: if it's ok for dancing (not sticky, no broken glass or food, not rough concrete or wood), it's fine. Sprung dance floor - great. A local club from the 1930's has one, as did a church hall from around 1900. But it's not necessary.
Music: if it's a curated mix, then fine. Some golden age recordings were rightly forgotten. Just because they came from that era doesn't mean they're good. It needs to be danceable and not plinkety-plonk. Sound system - ideal, but if all you've got is a basic bluetooth speaker which is adequate for the size, then fine.
Food: depends on the length of the milonga and time of day. Practilongo/milonga-lite - don't care. Otherwise empanadas, pirozkhi, biscuits, buns, all help keep the energy up, but not strictly necessary. Happy to supply some on a rota.
Hosting: depends on the occasion. I do recall a host introducing some newcomers loudly to the gathering. So embarrasing and cringeworthy. They crept away early and didn't come again. Otherwise, if you have codigos that are published, then help people to conform. I'd also say at the moment to actually check vaccine/test status rather than health theatre, or say you're not bothering. If they're strangers, then pay attention and assist discreetly and politely.
Dance floor: if it's ok for dancing (not sticky, no broken glass or food, not rough concrete or wood), it's fine. Sprung dance floor - great. A local club from the 1930's has one, as did a church hall from around 1900. But it's not necessary.
Music: if it's a curated mix, then fine. Some golden age recordings were rightly forgotten. Just because they came from that era doesn't mean they're good. It needs to be danceable and not plinkety-plonk. Sound system - ideal, but if all you've got is a basic bluetooth speaker which is adequate for the size, then fine.
Food: depends on the length of the milonga and time of day. Practilongo/milonga-lite - don't care. Otherwise empanadas, pirozkhi, biscuits, buns, all help keep the energy up, but not strictly necessary. Happy to supply some on a rota.
Hosting: depends on the occasion. I do recall a host introducing some newcomers loudly to the gathering. So embarrasing and cringeworthy. They crept away early and didn't come again. Otherwise, if you have codigos that are published, then help people to conform. I'd also say at the moment to actually check vaccine/test status rather than health theatre, or say you're not bothering. If they're strangers, then pay attention and assist discreetly and politely.
I hired an Ice-cream truck for a Sunday afternoon Swing event - it was a big hit! Everyone took a little break outside in the sun before going back to dancing and there was no clean-up for me and the team! We paid for it from our slush fund and had a charity collection bucket for donations.
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Sometimes it's nice at a practica. I'll skip the mice pie though, thank you.
ArbeeNYC
Forum Master
Yeah, that's pretty much it. I'd take an exception to number 4 though and restate it as "wanting a good DJ who plays good music they can dance to." It doesn't have to be easy to dance to. And YES, we are DEFINITELY concerned about authentic Golden Age music. I'm not sure what rare orchestras are though. If you don't have the music, you don't have a milonga.
Also 6. The host just has to be there to collect the money at the door (or hire someone to do it) and be around to maintain some kind of order. That's all. Dancers can find their own seats.