Practicas vs. Milongas

[jantango]

There are 2 aspects of 'preparation' for milongas -

1. Social codes
2. Skill

It seems to me that when practicas are structured like milongas, it will help with social codes, but will deter (esp beginners) from focussing on skills. When somoene sees a floor full of dancers focussed on dancing, affected social codes that are tending towards structure/formality (dress codes, cabaceo, high emphasis on floorcraft), they are likely to think that this is just another milonga, and will be less inclined to be the only person on the floor who makes mistakes, stops to figure stuff out, works on technique and potentially stands out.

To me the key question next is this - how do you structure a practica to look like a milonga, yet keep them from 'feeling' like they are in a milonga, and instead get them to feel and act like they are in a practica? If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's surely not a chicken.

Why do you think people should feel and act differently at a practica? It's preparation for a milonga where they get to practice dance floor etiquette and learn the difference between a tango and a milonga, Troilo and Di Sarli, etc.

The one thing that will contribute more than anything else to the practica environment is feedback between partners. This is not appropriate at a milonga.

If you want to guarantee the practica won't be considered a milonga, let the men practice with one another and exclude women. Then you'll have a true BsAs practica.

 

[quixotedlm]

If you want to guarantee the practica won't be considered a milonga, let the men practice with one another and exclude women. Then you'll have a true BsAs practica.

How do BsAs women get better? Do they just take lessons, and show up at milongas without any skills, in the hopes that they will just learn by dancing with more skilled men?

 

[dchester]

Why do you think people should feel and act differently at a practica?

Because it's not a milonga. If I wanted to be in an environment that was like a milonga, I'd just go to a milonga. I suspect either I'm missing your true point, or it's just a cultural difference (or something).

It's preparation for a milonga where they get to practice dance floor etiquette and learn the difference between a tango and a milonga, Troilo and Di Sarli, etc.

Not all (probably not most) people at practicas here consider it to be a place to practice dance floor etiquette. It's more to practice their dancing. The floorcraft rules/codes are more relaxed, people don't dress up, we may go over moves that we don't know well enough to do at a milonga, etc.

The one thing that will contribute more than anything else to the practica environment is feedback between partners. This is not appropriate at a milonga.

Agreed. Same here.

If you want to guarantee the practica won't be considered a milonga, let the men practice with one another and exclude women. Then you'll have a true BsAs practica.

Here, just calling it a practica works for most people, although there are some places that use the term "practilonga", which does confuse me.

 

[twnkltoz]

We have a practilonga here, and it's very popular. People dress a little more than they would for a practica, but not as much as the milongas and it's OK if you're casual. The music is played in tandas with cortinas, but it's OK to stop and practice. There are snacks for sale, but no food provided unless someone brings something to share. I really like it, actually--I'm going tonight.

 

[Madahlia]

We have a practilonga here, and it's very popular. People dress a little more than they would for a practica, but not as much as the milongas and it's OK if you're casual. The music is played in tandas with cortinas, but it's OK to stop and practice. There are snacks for sale, but no food provided unless someone brings something to share. I really like it, actually--I'm going tonight.

Ditto - in fact, I don't think I'll go to any more milongas. The ponderous formality just doesn't suit me. I have a much better time at the practicas.

 

[Shaka]

Ditto - in fact, I don't think I'll go to any more milongas. The ponderous formality just doesn't suit me. I have a much better time at the practicas.

What formalities? C'mon just **** them! As long as you don't crash into others it should be ok. One thing you should care about is density. You may have space in practicas, but that won't help you with improvisation which is yet the top quality that distinguishes dancers.

 

[Madahlia]

What formalities? C'mon just **** them!

Thanks for that inspiringly untangoesque sentiment! I guess I find them just frustrating, done up in my frock and heels (got to, 'cos the other ladies do), can't chat too much (too noisy), can't ask people to dance (tut, tut, cabeceo), just, well, straight-jacketed.

But it's not much of a loss because I only go to a milonga once a month or so, anyway. Whereas practicas happen twice a week.

 

[Peaches]

Thanks for that inspiringly untangoesque sentiment! I guess I find them just frustrating, done up in my frock and heels (got to, 'cos the other ladies do), can't chat too much (too noisy), can't ask people to dance (tut, tut, cabeceo), just, well, straight-jacketed.

But it's not much of a loss because I only go to a milonga once a month or so, anyway. Whereas practicas happen twice a week.

LOL. I hear ya'. It's great for posture, but after a while stick up one's backside becomes a real, well, p.i.t.a. I wonder how others stand it.

 

[DanceSveta]

I want to go!