Thinking of going to first milonga

[DoWrongRight]

So I started taking some AT classes about a month and a half ago. I have really enjoyed everything about AT, especially the music. I attended a practica a few weeks ago and had a good time. The classes are mixed with new and long time AT dancers, so it is helpful to dance with folks that know what they are doing. Although I spend most of my time dancing with a beginner like myself. ANYWAY all of this background is to say I am thinking of going to a milonga the instructors are hosting in early December. I was curious as to others experiences at their first milonga? I am not 100% if I will go or if I should go. I am still very very new, but the instructors and community are quite encouraging for new people.

 

[opendoor]

.. if I will go or if I should..

You must go, because the community will be happy when there is offspring. Everyone will welcome you and forgive your inexperience.

 

[Cabbit]

You should go. Most people will welcome you and some might even dance with you.

I don't remember my first milonga, so it must not have been terribly traumatizing. A few weeks ago one of the schools here organized a milonga and especially invited their (a month old) beginners group to come to the event. The idea was that the first hour of the milonga would be reserved for the beginners to get some out of the classroom experience. Everybody else is fashionably late anyway so it works out just fine.

Not many showed up but those who did got some nice tandas.

 

[itwillhappen]

Leadership after six weeks - that sounds like stress. I did it the same way. Today I can't quite explain why I didn't wait to go there with a partner. But I think all in all the stress stays the same - I was quite relaxed in the classes afterwards.

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

Leadership after six weeks - that sounds like stress.

Maybe as a brand-brand-brand-new beginner, one is unaware of all the potential causes of stress?

 

[Rabbit]

I am still very very new, but the instructors and community are quite encouraging for new people.

You just answered your own question there, you should go

 

[opendoor]

..Leadership after six weeks - that sounds like stress...

Not at all, I went to my first milonga 32 weeks before my first tango lesson. It was the best tango time I've ever experienced. As soon as you have lessons, the doubts and comparisons begin.

 

[Tangogal]

A milonga is more of a party. There will be spouses and friends of other dancers who don't tango. Go and encourage the rest of your class to go too - worst case scenario you just dance with each other.

 

[TTanguero]

Go for sure. I first danced in a milonga five weeks after my first lesson. I walked and paused. Nobody died, and there weren't even any broken limbs!

Honestly, the sooner you get onto the dance floor, the less intimidating it is precisely for the reason PNP said: You don't know what you don't know. After that, you start to know, but you also know you can give someone a nice dance, so it's all fine.

 

[WhiskeyPapa]

I am not 100% if I will go or if I should go. I am still very very new, but the instructors and community are quite encouraging for new people.

From what you have described, it sounds like you should go. I would ask the instructors to be sure. Some milongas simply are not appropriate for inexperienced dancers. Others are absolutely appropriate.

I remember once inviting a women who told me “this is my first milonga” (it was in fact her first dance at her first milonga). “What a great honor for me!” I said to her—and really meant it too.

 

[TTanguero]

Absolutely, it really is a privilege. I've enjoyed that one many times because one of those followers recommends me to the next one and so on.

 

[Greybeard]

a milonga the instructors are hosting

Not only is the community welcoming, but this type of milonga sounds like what the instructor ordered.

My first mlonga was probably about four months after my first lesson. We had a teacher come down from Kentucky to Tennessee once a month for lessons. One Saturday the studio had a mixed dance showcase with the KY and TN studios participating. They came down for the Friday party, Tango lessons Saturday and Sunday PM and then milonga Sunday night. So I was sitting at a table with a group and was able to dance with several experienced dancers. A lot of the regular participants came over to welcome us.

Tell us how it goes.

 

[Gssh]

I would absolutely go - (IMHO) the milonga is what it is all about, and experiencing what it is like is important to have some context to what we are actually doing. Have fun, watch people, try some relaxed dancing if you are in the mood for it.

 

[DoWrongRight]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I will keep in touch about how the experience goes. I think it could be quite enjoyable, especially seeing other dancers that I don't typically see at the classes.

 

[Steve Pastor]

You do You.
Me... I took lessons for 6 months before I went to a practica. Can't remember when I first went to a milonga, but when I did go, I just watched.
My experience with beginner classes, etc, is likely quite different than yours. So, again...
You do You.