Tango Ambassador Program

[Someday]

I'm going to just throw this out there as I have thought about it for a while...

I travel on business and for pleasure, and I have often wished for something like a Tango Ambassador Program (I made up the name so don't get too excited). The TAP program would consist of individuals who could give feedback on Tango in their geographic area. So, it might answer questions like:

* I am going to <fill in city>. What are the resources to find out classes and milongas?

* I'd like to chat with someone on the tango scene in that community. Is it formal or laid back? Are there any events that might be coming up of interest? (Sometimes events happen in a close by city but I've missed it because I've narrowed my scope only to the target city proper).

* Social - Make friends - compare notes - get together for a bite to eat or coffee prior to a class or milonga just to meet people who share the Tango passion.

The idea is that there is an individual who is responsive to incoming questions and likes to help out other dancers.

One downside I see is that if a teacher were to be an Ambassador then there might be a conflict of interest. This has been the case on the popular TangoMango.com site.

Perhaps something like this has been done or maybe it's as easy as opening up a TAP portion of the Tango dance forum.

Is it just me that has an interest or do others find this of interest?

I'm off the New Zealand in search of mountains, wine, photography and Tango!

Cheers.

 

[Steve Pastor]

What? You aren't going to search for Hobbits, orcs, etc?

I did a search and it looks like Portland, OR is the only place that has it's own thread. Although you had a pretty good post about the Bay Area.

My two favorite dance genres have a pretty low amount of organization involved: AT and CW, and I guess in my mind a "program" lessens the appeal.
Anyone can make inquiries here, though, by starting a new thread, or posting in an old one. The only caveat is that we save the brutally frank stuff for PMs, I'd say.

 

[jantango]

With so much information available at our fingertips on the internet, it's easy to find what we want. It sounds like the OP wants everything provided to him without having to do any searching himself. I think he's forgetting the enjoyment of discovery and going without any expectations, not having anything planned. Isn't that what travel is about?

That said, there are hundreds of tango community sites with information. All that is required is time to read and then make connections.

I've lived in Buenos Aires for 16 years and know the tango scene very well. If I provided information to a small number of foreigners each week, I wouldn't have time for myself. There are tango magazines online that provide lists of classes and milongas. There is BAexpats forum for meeting people in Buenos Aires. I write a blog providing information on the milongas, etc.

Let your fingers do the walking. Take time to search the internet and find what you're looking for. Even a tango ambassador will have opinions that may not agree with your own. I know that I do.

 

[Lui]

Someday, I perfectly understand that it would be very convenient, especially when being on a tour with only 2-3 days a place. Organizing such a worldwide network will need a lot of work and dedication.

Therefore: How should the participants be compensated and how can one develop fair standards to characterize each scene. “Laid back” for example depends pretty much on personal preferences.

 

[Lilly_of_the_valley]

I wish to add: if you talk to different individuals within the same community, the pictures you will get may significantly vary. At times it gets borderline comical: I read two reviews/accounts on Facebook the day after I attended a milonga, and it seems that those two people were at completely distinct venues, and I was yet at the third one! LOL.

 

[Bailamosdance]

This is a great idea. And varying views are welcome, not a problem!

 

[Someday]

I've been lapse in responding because I am currently traveling in New Zealand with intermittent internet connections. I did a lot of research to find contacts down here and have met a few wonderful folks, shared dinner and then some dancing. I am not looking for some else to do any work for me, but looking for a few friendly voices in a new environment. some issues i encountered down here are calendar entries that were incorrect or info on venues that was deeply buried in links upon links. This happens everywhere. Its obvious that one can search on milongas or practicas, but personally i find it nice to meet a 'local' with whom to get to know the area and perhaps make a new friend. This international bond in sharing the tango experience is part of what I enjoy about tango and of course meeting friendly people. And the locals often are more aware of the current tango resources. In addition, they can give recommendations on teachers and events in other cities being visited. My experiences with impromptu 'ambassadors' has been very good.

If any one is visiting the San Francisco area and Wants a friendly overview for whatever its worth, drop me a line. Cheers.

 

[Zoopsia59]

With so much information available at our fingertips on the internet, it's easy to find what we want. It sounds like the OP wants everything provided to him without having to do any searching himself.

That said, there are hundreds of tango community sites with information. All that is required is time to read and then make connections.

I don't think it is fair to judge the OP's motives or imply that s/he is being lazy. You can't always find out what s/he is looking for just by visiting websites. For instance, there are boatloads of milongas and practicas in the large metropolitan places like NYC, DC, London (etc). However as a stranger at some, you will probably not get asked to dance while others are more open and friendly. Some are very traditional while others play more alternative and have relaxed "codes". I've heard of events in large cities where it's a struggle to even get other people milling around to talk to you!

Most places don't exactly advertise that a large portion of the community snubs newbies or that floorcraft is generally so hazardous that it's worse than driving the autobahn. They may not tell you on the website that they play no alternative music or expect you to always use cabeceo (or the opposite). However, talking to other people both in and visiting the city, you can get a better feel for which of the many choices is best for you in your limited time frame.

 

[Milja]

I agree that this is a good idea although for larger cities the workload may get rather heavy. Here in Cambridge there is information online but about half the events I go to are spontaneous/organised in the last two weeks and would be missed.

 

[Someday]

Hi Milja,
When I was in Boston, I went to Tango in Somerville and MIT as was recommended by one of the folks on this board. It was helpful to have some guidance due to the number of events taking place. My experiences with Boston tango events was awesome with friendly people. Cheers.

 

[Zoopsia59]

Hi Milja,
When I was in Boston, I went to Tango in Somerville and MIT as was recommended by one of the folks on this board. It was helpful to have some guidance due to the number of events taking place. My experiences with Boston tango events was awesome with friendly people. Cheers.

I've gone to that Somerville milonga. I found it to be pretty friendly also.

 

[dchester]

Hi Milja,
When I was in Boston, I went to Tango in Somerville and MIT as was recommended by one of the folks on this board. It was helpful to have some guidance due to the number of events taking place. My experiences with Boston tango events was awesome with friendly people. Cheers.

FWIW, I'm one of the rotating DJs at the Boston Sunday Practica in Cambridge, and I occasionally DJ in Somerville at Dance Union, as well. The next time you're in the area, ping me.