Encuentros.. Please explain. thx

[TTanguero]

Half a page dedicated to codigos and prerequisites… in a condescending tone no less. No thank you.

I wondered whether it was a cultural (US) thing, but apparently not!

I'm someone who actively looks for mention of the codigos when making a decision about a new event, but this was too over the top for me. The killer was the explicit ban on cabeceo in the refreshment area!

There have been a number of times when I've decided to take a break and get a cup of tea when a favorite song or an orchestra I've been waiting for has started playing. At that point, a questioning look to a follower in the immediate area is a very natural form of cabeceo. Banning that just seems to be control freakery.

 

[Brummbaer]

The floor was like a chess board and for one tanda, every space was taken. Couples had to stay in the SAME square for the ENTIRE tanda. There were NO collisions and kicks from boleos.

Interesting as a 'feature'. It was a necessity in early group lessons during Covid once we were allowed to gather. The floor was indeed marked out with tape and we had our allotted 2m space (and bring your partner). More 'open' than at home, unless we used outside - a sense of 'freedom' and approaching normality. An interesting one was a dance, rather than a lesson, where we progressed from marked out area to the next, such that only one couple was in each area - without calling 'move on'.

But, if you have to publish a list of 'rules' as part of the contract (attendees don't understand basic, common, etiquette, nor some past relics?), then to be avoided. Unless, of course, you like playing that retro game. Were there any infringements such that the milonga police threw them out? Maybe CCTV monitoring? At least the food area also served for invitations to dance.

 

[Tango Distance]

... I think this event is organised by and targeted towards people who think (consciously or subconsciously) they're better than others because they follow these códigos and dance in a such a prescribed way.

I do know someone who does encuentros because she gets dances, but struggles at regular festivals. Per her, it tends to be a more mature crowd and there is more of everyone asking everyone. Also I believe many encuentros advertise being role balanced. She also said the dancing was more boring (but at least she is dancing!).

 

[opendoor]

..The killer was the explicit ban on cabeceo in the refreshment area!

I found this understandable, because what cabeceo invites to is context-dependent.

 

[opendoor]

Pure fantasy. There are simply people there who think that's the best opportunity for them to dance that weekend.

With other words, they do not read the codigos and do not care?

 

[pianistamediano]

Banning that just seems to be control freakery.

Add the fact that it seems like you can't verbally invite your friends even if they're sitting right next to you...

 

[pianistamediano]

I do know someone who does encuentros because she gets dances, but struggles at regular festivals. Per her, it tends to be a more mature crowd and there is more of everyone asking everyone. Also I believe many encuentros advertise being role balanced. She also said the dancing was more boring (but at least she is dancing!).

That's the problem right there: festivals generally have little to no role balancing!

But yes, encuentros do appear to be the best type of event that will maximise her enjoyment.

Boring... well, opinions vary!

 

[Miradamiranda]

Many websites are full of codigo-related nonsense with no real basis; I wouldn't put much stock in that.
What's more interesting is the person the organizer, the team. And if this encuentro has already taken place a few times, then there should be pictures, videos, and facebook posts, e.g.:

Thanks for locating the video. It tells a different story. Based on the look of things here, I wouldn’t shy away from it. Plenty of space, nice setting, and I immediately recognized half the people on the dance floor, half of which I rather enjoy dancing with, and a few of them, I really enjoy dancing with (but they are only seen here in the background).

 

[TTanguero]

Add the fact that it seems like you can't verbally invite your friends even if they're sitting right next to you...

Which is a complete misunderstanding of the codigos. It has always been the norm to use a verbal invitation with those sitting at your table. (Sure, I'll still often use a playful non-verbal invitation in those circumstances, but that's just a bit of fun – I'm not pretending it's really a cabeceo when I'm sat two feet from the follower!)

 

[TTanguero]

I found this understandable, because what cabeceo invites to is context-dependent.

I'm not sure there's much risk of someone thinking they are being invited to your hotel room when exchanging a questioning look over a cup of Earl Grey 20 feet from the dance floor ...

 

[Brummbaer]

That's the problem right there: festivals generally have little to no role balancing!

But yes, encuentros do appear to be the best type of event that will maximise her enjoyment.

Boring... well, opinions vary!

Isn't it quite simple? If you don't like, or aren't capable, of dancing with the general 'public' milonga attendees (ranging, maybe, from beginner to advanced, with everything in-between), then you sign up for the select 'club' - if you pass the 'committee's' vetting procedure (any secret signs, or handshakes, or hidden códigos?). You get the perceived advantages (PLU), and disadvantages. I thought that was the intention of encuentros - so that they didn't have to associate with the hoy polloi. Of course, they might be marketing a myth - you're now amongst the 'elite', or it's a club where you wouldn't want to be a member...

 

[pianistamediano]

I'm not sure there's much risk of someone thinking they are being invited to your hotel room when exchanging a questioning look over a cup of Earl Grey 20 feet from the dance floor ...

Perhaps it might be closer to a lascivious look if one pairs a cuppa with a hot buttered scone with a decadent slathering of jam and a generous helping of clotted cream... Oh, how salacious! What a libertine!

 

[itwillhappen]

Isn't it quite simple? If you don't like, or aren't capable, of dancing with the general 'public' milonga attendees (ranging, maybe, from beginner to advanced, with everything in-between), then you sign up for the select 'club' - if you pass the 'committee's' vetting procedure (any secret signs, or handshakes, or hidden códigos?)....

The first time you look away at your local milonga because dancing with someone else seems more appealing - even if it's your wife instead of a creepy female - isn't that the original sin?

This continues when you attend a festival where you find more agreeable dance partners. Or when your ego suggests that you're not responsible for "perpetual beginners". Aren't we all equally important?!

 

[Brummbaer]

The first time you look away at your local milonga because dancing with someone else seems more appealing - even if it's your wife instead of a creepy female - isn't that the original sin?

Whoever I'm dancing with is 'appealing' at the time!

This continues when you attend a festival where you find more agreeable dance partners.

Festivals don't necessarily introduce 'more agreeable' partners. Different - yes. Some more disagreeable.

Or when your ego suggests that you're not responsible for "perpetual beginners".

But sometimes they're more challenging for the ego!

I don't need to sign up for the 'select' club of self-selecting egos - but I get that some do.

 

[itwillhappen]

I don't need to sign up for the 'select' club of self-selecting egos - but I get that some do.

Why should you have to?

Your imagunation is also a projection of your ego. I'm currently with ten other vans at an improvised campsite in front of the former monastery where an encuentro is taking place. Everything's relaxed, everything's cool. Not much different from the "liberal-progressive" marathon last week.