What is tango doing wrong: #3 - men & women

[opendoor]

..Only a few people do from my observation..

The birthday vals has a specific group dynamic function. It shows who belongs to the celebrant's inner peer group. Those who aren't part of the inner circle but still cut in are seen as hypocrites. Of course, the minute in the spotlight is a kind of mini-show. You make the person look good and show off all your performing skills, tricks, and gimmicks.

 

[TTanguero]

I have never participated in birthday Vals

I'm not a fan where it's just the birthday person dancing with a series of partners, but I was once given one (a surprise I would never have agreed to if asked!!) as a snowball tanda – so as soon as someone had danced with me, they could bring someone else onto the dance floor, and that seemed the most sociable version.

 

[Bailango]

The birthday vals has a specific group dynamic function. It shows who belongs to the celebrant's inner peer group.

Indeed. I never seen more than 4-5 participate. Some have a larger peer group but not everyone is at a milonga.

Those who aren't part of the inner circle but still cut in are seen as hypocrites.

Why should they be hypocrites? I seen sometimes well meaning or good natured ones participate.

Of course, the minute in the spotlight is a kind of mini-show. You make the person look good and show off all your performing skills, tricks, and gimmicks.

Not sure. Rather it exposes weaknesses.

In salsa, the bday circles are very common. They are democratic and everyone takes part. A visiting dancer also might get one.

 

[Rabbit]

It's one song for a member of the community, I don't mind

 

[opendoor]

..in salsa, the bday circles are very common. They are democratic and everyone takes part..

So it is inthe swing scene.

 

[Bailango]

So it is inthe swing scene.

Yes but less than in salsa.

 

[Pryn]

I always looked forward to the salsa birthday dance. I still send wishes to my friend's for a good birthday dance.

We followed an unspoken etiquette that the experienced salseros and salsera led off the birthday dance for the honoree, and the rest of us mingled the crowd and gently encouraged others to dance with them as well.

When someone left the honoree for a few seconds too long with no substitute partner (usually a non-regular), another experienced regular would step in and dance with the honoree while we continued to try to find the next victim... I mean dancer... to step in... and the cycle repeated until the song completed. Fortunately, it was only a 3-4 min song.

Tango seems a lot more exclusive so some of these perspectives on the birthday vals seem very different, but still interesting to learn about.