How to build a tango community?

[dchester]

Basically, the wife and I always have to drive elsewhere to get our tango fix on the weekends, so the thought was, why can't there be a (real) tango community in our hometown? (although we can drive an hour or so in most directions and hit a decent sized milonga).

A few notes: We live in a city of just over 180,000 people. It is primarily a blue collar city, but there are around 10 colleges and universities. A couple years back, the one local organizer called it quits, once she figured out how much money she was losing.

The goals are pretty simple:

• Have a monthly (or even twice a month) milonga where the majority (at least 2/3) of the music is from the golden age.
• Not lose too much money.
• Have a large enough group that is serious enough (probably 20) where it might make sense to occasionally bring in a traveling teacher.
• Keep my day job.

The wife and I have started doing some things to try build and grow the tango community there, but it's too early to determine if any of it will bare fruit. I've started a weekly practica. I've tried to be supportive of one of the local colleges, where I do know a few people, (even though they seem mostly interested in alternative music). We also teach a beginners class through the city's adult education program. One thing I know I need to do, is figure out how best to market tango to people who might be interested. But there's probably many things I don't know, that I should be doing.

Any constructive ideas are appreciated. TIA

 

[Mladenac]

How old are you?

I believe you are on the right track.

I hope you can get younger population coming to milonga and classes.

 

[opendoor]

Re: insemination strategies

It sounds so good what you are starting over, but I fear, it will take a long time till the car will run under own steam.

To bank on the college thing is really a good sustaining strategy. But (please forgive me) the students need some role models of their own age. So could you invite a young teaching couple? Also a weekly taster course in a well frequented salsa or swing venue may bring the students into contact with tango. Later on, both tango sub-communities may merge. But let the young folks first find their own identification with tango. By the way, couldn´t you instruct one of the young local salsa teachers in tango, too? Usually the salsa scene is a bit younger than her tango sister. And, concerning our own age, couldn´t you poach in foreign territories? I mean couldn´t you offer TA for BR converts, as well? Over here a lot of BR schools (international/standard/latin) offer special TA classes for advanced dancers. I dont want to discuss the quality of this TA syllabus here, but I think, there is some demand, too.

.

 

[dchester]

I'm in my 50s, so I'm not someone who college kids will identify too much with. My limited experience thus far with the college kids is that they are interested mostly in alternative music. That in of itself wouldn't be a problem, except that I only like about 25% of what they seem to like. Still, I have let them use my sound system, and I post their events on my web site, but mostly, their milongas are college kids dancing to non-tango music. They haven't expressed any interest in me teaching there. They have a dance club where some grad students teach, and I'm not looking to compete, but just supplement where I can, along with figuring out how to get others interested (as the college kids will always come and go).

In any case, the real trick is how to get to the critical mass where I won't go broke by bringing in teachers (and of course the hall rental), and of course have a milonga with (at least mostly) tango music.

I actually don't desire to do a lot of teaching, but it's far cheaper than paying someone (when there isn't enough of a base yet to break even). The prior organizer lost a lot of money by paying for expensive teachers (they were good teachers, BTW) when there weren't enough students in the area to support them. There was one teacher they brought in, who was popular enough to draw people from other communities for the classes, but that was the exception, not the rule (and it didn't help much in getting people to local milongas).

 

[waltzgirl]

What is the population in the cities you go to that have well-attended milongas? I don't mean to discourage you, but I think you have to have a sizable population base for the tiny percentage who will be dancers to be big enough to sustain a regular event.

 

[ant]

What you are describing is what is happening in my local village, where the prime mover is my DP.

Things she has done or has had available to her are;

1 She has found a venue that allows parking in a charming English village. A venue that has the right type of feel for a small tango community
2 She has started a Facebook group.
3 We have been lucky because a local female teacher is now partnering a well trained Argentinian teacher and they have been giving weekly classes.
4 In addition that Argentinian teacher has attached maybe half a dozen London based teachers to come regularly to their milongas
5 She networks all the time. Part of which is to ask people on her Facebook group to suggest to their friends to become members.
6 She cooperates with other small communities within the general area (say 1 hour drive) and they agree to take groups to each others milongas
7 At the moment they have been arranging monthly tea dances on a Sunday afternoon. they have not yet had an evening milonga.
8 The Argentinian teacher is the DJ and he has stuck almost exclusively to Golden Age music and has been getting good write ups from Tango Bloggers etc that have attended an event(s)
9 She posts all her events on the Yahoo groups and other email alert type groupings that would have readers in our area.
10 They make sure that when they do have a tea dance the room is well dressed and good hospitality (plenty of cakes, tea, coffee and empatadas).
11 They make sure that they do not clash with other events which are more established.

They are now planning monthly visits from teachers well known within the small community travelling fraternity that may frequent such events.

Other small community groups that seem to be have become successful over the years appear to me to have some of the follwoing characteristics.
1 They are committee based and so spread the administrative laod.
2 They have some sort of internet presense-website and/or Facebook group and/or yahoo group
3 There is some sort of teaching base
4 They have established a stable venue

I wish all the best for the future.
Good luck.

 

[dchester]

What is the population in the cities you go to that have well-attended milongas? I don't mean to discourage you, but I think you have to have a sizable population base for the tiny percentage who will be dancers to be big enough to sustain a regular event.

All are similar sized or smaller, except for one, which is quite a bit bigger. The demographics are different, though.

 

[dchester]

What you are describing is what is happening in my local village, where the prime mover is my DP.

Things she has done or has had available to her are;

1 She has found a venue that allows parking in a charming English village. A venue that has the right type of feel for a small tango community
2 She has started a Facebook group.
3 We have been lucky because a local female teacher is now partnering a well trained Argentinian teacher and they have been giving weekly classes.
4 In addition that Argentinian teacher has attached maybe half a dozen London based teachers to come regularly to their milongas
5 She networks all the time. Part of which is to ask people on her Facebook group to suggest to their friends to become members.
6 She cooperates with other small communities within the general area (say 1 hour drive) and they agree to take groups to each others milongas
7 At the moment they have been arranging monthly tea dances on a Sunday afternoon. they have not yet had an evening milonga.
8 The Argentinian teacher is the DJ and he has stuck almost exclusively to Golden Age music and has been getting good write ups from Tango Bloggers etc that have attended an event(s)
9 She posts all her events on the Yahoo groups and other email alert type groupings that would have readers in our area.
10 They make sure that when they do have a tea dance the room is well dressed and good hospitality (plenty of cakes, tea, coffee and empatadas).
11 They make sure that they do not clash with other events which are more established.

They are now planning monthly visits from teachers well known within the small community travelling fraternity that may frequent such events.

Other small community groups that seem to be have become successful over the years appear to me to have some of the follwoing characteristics.
1 They are committee based and so spread the administrative laod.
2 They have some sort of internet presense-website and/or Facebook group and/or yahoo group
3 There is some sort of teaching base
4 They have established a stable venue

I wish all the best for the future.
Good luck.

Thanks for this list. Some of these things I'm am doing, but not all of them. I'll have to see which additional ones I can do.

 

[ant]

Thanks for this list. Some of these things I'm am doing, but not all of them. I'll have to see which additional ones I can do.

Your welcome.

If there are things that you are doing, not on my list, could you let me know please so I can pass the ideas on th my DP. Thanks

 

[ant]

I don't mean to discourage you, but I think you have to have a sizable population base for the tiny percentage who will be dancers to be big enough to sustain a regular event.

That is not case in the UK.

For instance in Totnes, Devon (pop 5,000) they have a thriving Tango community.

There are many other smaller towns that have also managed to build up reletively successful tango communities.

In fact I would say the reverse of what you have said is true. Because the next two biggest cities after London, Birmingham and Manchester have very small tango communities.

Even in the USA that pattern does not neccessarily hold true. It appears that Philadelphia (pop1.5m) does not have have a big tango community but Portland (pop.5m) has a thriving community.

It appears to me anything is possible with regard to setting up a tango community.

 

[Captain Jep]

Having a couple prepared and able to teach seems to me the hardest thing.

Do you have a small group of competent social dancers who are supporting you DC? Or do you have to do most of it alone?

 

[Dave Bailey]

The goals are pretty simple:

• Have a monthly (or even twice a month) milonga where the majority (at least 2/3) of the music is from the golden age.
• Not lose too much money.
• Have a large enough group that is serious enough (probably 20) where it might make sense to occasionally bring in a traveling teacher.
• Keep my day job.

Blimey, you say that like it's easy...

A few suggestions:
- Marketing marketing marketing. You need to do a lot of this, it's a real art and takes a lot of time.
- Online communities; Facebook is your friend - especially considering the target audience.
- I reckon, to get a regular crowd of 20+ at a milonga, you'll need a community of at least 100 real participants.
- Sacrifice your principles, play the funky stuff (e.g. the new VW Polo ad) and similar music, at least some of the time to pull people in.
- Get a ponytail and a Spanish name

 

[Dave Bailey]

That is not case in the UK.

For instance in Totnes, Devon (pop 5,000) they have a thriving Tango community.

Yeah, but that's coz they're all weirdo hippies...

Seriously, I think that's more because the AT community there's been driven by people like Ruth (and Andreas of course ) over a long period.

In fact I would say the reverse of what you have said is true. Because the next two biggest cities after London, Birmingham and Manchester have very small tango communities.

Yes, AT dancing tends to "clump" - for example, there's a larger scene in Oxford (150K population) than in Birmingham (1m pop.)

It appears to me anything is possible with regard to setting up a tango community.

I think the area needs to be receptive to the idea, more than anything else. Jokes aside, tango seems to be more appealing to areas which are a bit more, I dunno, "bohemian" than "working class"...

 

[AndaBien]

...
The goals are pretty simple:

• Have a monthly (or even twice a month) milonga where the majority (at least 2/3) of the music is from the golden age.
• Not lose too much money.
• Have a large enough group that is serious enough (probably 20) where it might make sense to occasionally bring in a traveling teacher.
• Keep my day job.

The wife and I have started doing some things to try build and grow the tango community there, but it's too early to determine if any of it will bare fruit. I've started a weekly practica. I've tried to be supportive of one of the local colleges, where I do know a few people, (even though they seem mostly interested in alternative music). We also teach a beginners class through the city's adult education program. One thing I know I need to do, is figure out how best to market tango to people who might be interested...

It sounds like you already have at least a few dancers. That's good news.

Milongas: When we began dancing here we had house milongas. Anyone with a room or space they could clear out could sponsor a milonga at their house. You can get 9 couples dancing apilado in a fairly small space. These milongas were very friendly and people mixed a lot more than at larger milongas where people tend to stake out tables and stay put. For a few years we had house milongas every Saturday night, rotating among 5 or 6 different houses. Open the door, play music, ask people to contribute food or drink.

College Students: I usually found college students less than devoted and also plenty distracted. Sometimes they disappear after graduation. I suggest that you appeal to a more stable population.

Teachers: As soon as you get some capable couples, begin teaching them how to teach. Give them some experience in your classes, then encourage them to start up their own groups. This creates diversity and alternatives.

Money: In my group the treasury was dedicated to paying operating expenses and bringing teachers to town, in that order. I blew the bank account about twice a year. My payment for teaching was creating a tango society.

Teaching: In my experience, most students do not stay around long enough to become capable dancers. Focus your attention on students who might. I developed the idea that beginners classes were mostly for the sake of building the treasury, which would then be used to benefit the more devoted students.

Assistance: Get a few people who will help you run things, and give you moral support when you get frustrated.

Good luck.

 

[dchester]

Blimey, you say that like it's easy...

Well, saying it is easy. As for actually accomplishing the goals . . .

A few suggestions:
- Marketing marketing marketing. You need to do a lot of this, it's a real art and takes a lot of time.

And of course, I have next to no skill in this area.

- I reckon, to get a regular crowd of 20+ at a milonga, you'll need a community of at least 100 real participants.

Gee thanks, and I thought 20 was going to be difficult.

- Sacrifice your principles,

Finally, something I know how to do.
:bouncy: