Encuentros - pros and cons

[opendoor]

...All invites at the tables between those who clearly knew each other...

So they knew the traditional rule: Never cabeceo people sitting at tables. And did you ask them whether they also meet at the same encuentros?

 

[Brummbaer]

Could you tell me the name (here or in private) so that I know to avoid it?

No.

There were quite a few teachers there, some we knew, some recognisable from internet. I just took it as their social evening. No apparent host. If you're there with friends, i.e. that 'clique', dance with them or maybe expand to their 'friends'. Any group can descend into being a clique, which has some not in that group because of many reasons: stranger, too good/too poor a dancer, unattached, old/young (check for grey hair and dress style!), etc.

Other events in a metropolis can, and have been, similar where dancing with random choices is not the objective. Any metropolis is traditionally unfriendly and assists small, protective, groups unless being 'friendly' is a specific objective. Smaller milongas ensure you have to mingle, and there's more likely to be a recognised host. Maybe that's also a potential 'pro' for the encuentro or marathon, depending on the objective(s).

 

[itwillhappen]

Why should open-minded and modern women take part in gender-balanced encuentros, especially if they are also able to lead?

For my favorite dance partner, a convinced double-role dancer, to accompany me to such an encuentro, I had to reflect and argue quite a bit. If something like this doesn't bring any obvious advantages to men, and women don't (any longer) think it's up-to-date, then we can indeed live without it.

Well, there are different flavors of encuentros, but the organizer here was a very reserved and friendly person, and that has impact. If barriers for personal protection, which the intimacy of tango in my opinion immanently creates, are delegated to the organizer and moved to the outer borders, it looks very elitist from the outside. But at the same time it can be very relaxed inside. In addition, the participants feel less threatened by new developments than one would think. Hey, they've been around for maybe 20 years on average, they've seen some fashion trends come and go, they've their experience, they've the money, they've the self-image of "beeing" the tango in their country, they just keep going on.

Most of the men can also dance well (while selectively) at other types of events, they mostly attend encuentros for the recognition of their long-term female partners. Of course, these women could refuse in a snub, then these encuentros would stop immediately. But while the men then shrug their shoulders at a loss, there will be no equivalent substitute for the women to dance, let's say, three to five pleasant tandas in a row. And that's why they prefer (for now) to realize their ideas of equality and double-role dancing on another weekend...

P.S.:
In the messenger I read the well-deserved recognition of my favorite dance partner for this outstanding weekend.

 

[Brummbaer]

Why not?

Look for gray hair and less revealing dress at those.

 

[Brummbaer]

it's quite noticeable in my section of the community that when any non-traditional music gets played people immediately stop talking and fill up the dance floor quickly

It depends on the music. Scouring the catalogue for something popular with an AT rhythm is one thing; new performers, interpretations, styles is another.

 

[itwillhappen]

Look for gray hair and less revealing dress at those.

At a common (European) encuentro, if someone's hair isn't gray, then it's most likely colored.

 

[Rabbit]

But you'll find, as you age, you're no longer part of that clique who go to encuentros or marathons. Or they'll be for the veterans whilst the young have moved in, or back.

I meant that encuentros are already aimed at an older, more conservative crowd, that want to stay within their zone of familiarity.

 

[TTanguero]

There were quite a few teachers there, some we knew, some recognisable from internet. I just took it as their social evening. No apparent host.

Teachers present, and no obvious host would be ... well, most London milongas. Cliquey would be ... the majority of London milongas. Cabeceo not successful when used by visitors ... again, the majority of London milongas.

The bit I'm struggling to recognise is cabeceo not seen in use. I can't think of any London milonga, however cliquey, where people don't use cabeceo. (And I've been to all of the central ones, and most of the outer-London ones.)

 

[Brummbaer]

I meant that encuentros are already aimed at an older, more conservative crowd, that want to stay within their zone of familiarity.

Maybe. The younger look for their next new thing; the older drop out/off or it progresses to an oldies thing. It's been so forever.

 

[Brummbaer]

Teachers present, and no obvious host would be ... well, most London milongas. Cliquey would be ... the majority of London milongas. Cabeceo not successful when used by visitors ... again, the majority of London milongas.

A valid observation in any major metropolis. YMMV. But the local 'village'/suburban community can be totally different in any metropolis. That's what distinguished BsAs and its barrio styles. You join, or are acknowledged, by the existing group (maybe the clique to come), and you go to that big event with that group, or join them there.

If it's all tables occupied by groups, why cabeceo? And impossible to note across a large space. Effectively need the walkeceo to someone you know, or chat at the bar, or food, or talk to someone in the group, or ...

 

[pianistamediano]

If it's all tables occupied by groups, why cabeceo? And impossible to note across a large space. Effectively need the walkeceo to someone you know, or chat at the bar, or food, or talk to someone in the group, or ...

Yes, I was at a milonga recently that was held in a massive venue, and the best place for leaders to invite followers was at the refreshments table, simply because not many dancers were good enough at long-distance cabeceo/mirada, and most people sitting at the tables were pretty much in their own cliques/groups.

 

[Brummbaer]

simply because not many dancers were good enough at long-distance cabeceo/mirada,

It's not just about being 'good enough'. I figure those Argentinians sat at tables could do cabeceo/mirada. It's partly whether you need a telescope or similat to see across the room, it's mainly because why would you cabeceo someone sat at your table in your social 'group', or someone who comes to talk with someone else they know there. Cabeceo/mirada has a place, but sometimes not in that environment.

 

[TTanguero]

If it's all tables occupied by groups, why cabeceo?

Depends whether you want to dance with anyone not at your table!

I've successfully cabeceo'd between different group tables in BsAs, as in the UK.

 

[Brummbaer]

Depends whether you want to dance with anyone not at your table!

I've successfully cabeceo'd between different group tables in BsAs, as in the UK.

Indeed. If that's the game in play. Sometimes it's not.

 

[TTanguero]

Indeed. If that's the game in play. Sometimes it's not.

Yeah, I haven't yet encountered anywhere cabeceo doesn't work, but I'm told Berlin is an example.