Which UK/European festivals/marathons/encuentros would you recommend?

[Miradamiranda]

(I'm not sure what your definition of high level is,

Quoting myself:

. I found the level rather high of everyone I danced with, so maybe there’s a natural pre-selection of dedicated dancers who really appreciate the music.

Since musicality is also important to me, I find a high level has a lot to do with ability to connect to the music, also music one has never heard before.

 

[pianistamediano]

So not only are you a high maintenance dancer but also a high maintenance musician.

I'd rather be playing in small, intimate salons than to the masses, a la Chopin!

(I meant as one of the seated music enjoyers! It's already annoying enough to have people whispering or coughing during my favourite Rachmaninov piano concerto, let alone dancing!)

 

[pianistamediano]

Ever since I heard of the concept of Encuentro (never been to one), I thought of it as an exclusive, elitist minded, egalitarian, where everyone respects common codigas. So kind of a sandbox for good dancers of traditional tango.

Maybe an encuentro generally takes from these two things (exclusivity, elitist, egalitarian when it comes to codigas; and replication of some semblance of the Argentine experience) to varying degrees, based on how they want to look like?

 

[ArbeeNYC]

Maybe an encuentro generally takes from these two things (exclusivity, elitist, egalitarian when it comes to codigas; and replication of some semblance of the Argentine experience) to varying degrees, based on how they want to look like?

Are they elitist or simply limited in size? I think they want to attract dancers who know and follow the codigos, especially floorcraft. And they look for a certain style of dancer, at least, as far as I know, and given that many of them (all?) work through recommendations.

 

[pianistamediano]

Are they elitist or simply limited in size?

No idea, I'm quoting Bailango directly.

 

[Bailango]

Are they elitist or simply limited in size? I think they want to attract dancers who know and follow the codigos, especially floorcraft. And they look for a certain style of dancer, at least, as far as I know, and given that many of them (all?) work through recommendations.

That sounds like a very definition of elitist to me. What’s the certain style I am not sure.

 

[TTanguero]

That sounds like a very definition of elitist to me.

Is it really elitist to want to share a floor with other dancers who know how to share a floor? It would be a sad indictment of today's tango if you were right.

 

[itwillhappen]

Ever since I heard of the concept of Encuentro (never been to one), I thought of it as an exclusive, elitist minded, egalitarian, where everyone respects common codigas. So kind of a sandbox for good dancers of traditional tango.

This is how outsiders see tango, this is how the outer circle of a milonga sees the inner circle, this is how the inner circle sees the encuentros, this is how the outer circle of the encuentros sees the inner circle, ... I haven't got any further than that.
But I think it's clear that the type of people is the same and they know relatively little about themselves or even learn a lot.

And a "sandbox" is a protection concept in the IT, so yes.

 

[Bailango]

Is it really elitist to want to share a floor with other dancers who know how to share a floor? It would be a sad indictment of today's tango if you were right.

Let me put it other way. Is it elitist to demand good manners? No. However elitist in general sense connotes certain expected pattern of behavior and a conformance to an extent. Good manners may be only one aspect of it. But having good manners by itself is not going to give you an entry or acceptance into elitist circles

What if your are a heretic with good manners? Such person is likely not accepted in elitist circles.

 

[TTanguero]

Let me put it other way. Is it elitist to demand good manners? No. However elitist in general sense connotes certain expected pattern of behavior and a conformance to an extent. Good manners may be only one aspect of it.

I mean, I'm as far from an expert on encuentros as you could possibly get – I've been to exactly one (which I very much enjoyed, but not enough to justify the travel cost and time). I was subsequently invited to two others, whose organisers were there. My experience was that only two criteria were being used for acceptance:

- You respect the codigos (mirada/cabeceo, floorcraft – including the ability to dance small)
- You dance in close embrace

Neither strikes me as elitist.

 

[itwillhappen]

The noun "elite" is often connoted with the adjectives "self-proclaimed" or "so called".
We should perhaps first define what kind of elite we are talking about.

 

[itwillhappen]

The event "Tango Celebration" can hardly be categorized as elitist. The main hurdle is registering for an event lasting several days. (Which, by the way, is quite effective, as I discovered at the public after-party.)

At the event itself, I will for sure behave in an elitist manner. I travel with my "preferred dance partner" and a campervan, know the location, one organizer and some helpers, quickly recognize who is (presumably) on my team, identify other targets, so I am well trained for the assignment. And it also has something to do with dancing skills.

Encuentros form their elites in a similar way, only the selection element is stronger.

I have already reported on elite training. My "preferred dance partner" organizes a series of workshops in which she effectively homogenizes the participants, so you can't just register. And of course they are not always my favorite dance partners, there are practical constraints, for example the female counterparts of her preferred dancers. And of course I try to adapt to the group, that has a direct influence on my behaviour. I'll give them a chance beyond a "hard" mirada/cabeceo, we all will try build a common expericence. If I wanted it to be different, then I would have to organize myself...

 

[ArbeeNYC]

That sounds like a very definition of elitist to me. What’s the certain style I am not sure.

It's not my definition of elitist by a long shot. Elitism implies intentional exclusivity.

 

[ArbeeNYC]

However elitist in general sense connotes certain expected pattern of behavior and a conformance to an extent.

No that's conformity. Elitism is intentional exclusion of others simply because they are others, regardless of their skills or abilities. It's a form of social exclusivity. Has nothing to do with how you dance, really (even in tango).

 

[Bailango]

It's not my definition of elitist by a long shot. Elitism implies intentional exclusivity.

Isn’t that the very basis of Encuentro. From the very first time I heard of them, it reeked of intentional exclusivity.

It is very narrow definition to say elitism is about intentional exclusivity. It comes in different forms from attitude to behavior. That’s why there is so much talk in the press about people getting tired of elites telling them stuff.

No that's conformity. Elitism is intentional exclusion of others simply because they are others, regardless of their skills or abilities. It's a form of social exclusivity. Has nothing to do with how you dance, really (even in tango).

Who is talking about a type of dancing. We were talking about a certain type of event and who chooses patronize them.