#tango event

Milonga Definition Ah, sit down. Let the mozo bring you a cortado. You ask about milonga? You ask about the very heartbeat of our nights. You see, the word does not have one simple meaning; it has three, and they are all braided together like a dancer’s legs. First, milonga is a type of music. It is faster, more playful, and more rhythmic than the tango. It is the mischievous older brother who…

I will be honest and I am a little ashamed about what I will write. I can't remember the names of the people I danced with last week end. I met a lot of dancers during this event and even if I asked their names between the tandas or between some songs... the names flew away from my head.

I try sincerely to remember when someone tells me the name but I think my mind is too focused on the dance. However there is always one exception. Obviously I always remember the name of an exceptionally nice girl. But only one per event. Not more because two nice girls is already too much. 

I am less ashamed of this bad habit when I speak with other dancers. They have quite the same problem. It even becomes a good subject of discussion and the source of a lot of embarrassing situations.

We didn't organise a championship of the biggest mistake but we could all easily win as we all have stories with names: switch two names, forget one name in one song, asking three times the name in one tanda... There are so many possibilities to appear as an idiot. 

Last night, a tanguero told me the woman wearing the dark blue skirt is a calculating woman.

He was whispering some stories as she was dancing. He told me:

"If she comes to speak with you at a milonga, you can be certain that it's just because she wants to dance. She really doesn't care about your thoughts or ideas." (I let you imagine the tone...)

I didn't try to understand the reason that motivated him to "warn" me about this tanguera. Instead, I was rather wondering if there was someone here who was NOT calculating.

If you think about it though.. If you want to dance with someone in particular and if you don't/can't ask him or her to dance - you will surely have to find a way to attract and convince your dancing target. In this situation, everyone is calculating in their own way. You are even more calculating if you are trying to dance with the best dancers of the milonga and avoiding the bad dancers. 

As you know, there are more women than men in tango. This situation clearly doesn't help to fight the concept of "the calculating woman". Just think about how difficult it is to register for events like a tango marathon, where you have to find a partner several months before the event. Girls are sort of forced to be extra nice to guys if they want to participate.

To my experience, it isn't rare to discover a new "best friend" who wants to go to the grand marathon of the year. And then when you tell her you can't participate... She'll lose all interest in you. 

At a tango marathon, the situation is different because the parity is respected - in principle. As there is an equal number of girls and guys, the girls shouldn't need to do tricks to dance. However, it doesn't mean you can't still be confronted with some obvious "baiting" behavior (I'm not being paranoid here..) Like someone who's totally ignored you in the past, now approaches you as you were childhood friends. Possibly because she feels lost or alone in this new environment...

Arguably you might start doubting some women when you really don't have to. For example, when I spoke with Panther about one girl who for me is really kind - she asks for news and send warm messages -  she was for him just a calculating one (she asks for news and send warm messages..heh?).

Your own perception and personal relations with others are elements which will influence your thoughts.

The event

takes place at the old docks of Antwerpen. The place contributes to the special atmosphere with a lot of furniture in wood and a softened light. There was enough place to rest. Most of the dancers were regional dancers (Netherlands - Belgium - Germany). All levels of dancers too. 

It was a rather huge place and dance floor which made it easy to circulate, even if the first part of Saturday night was a bit messy (after midnight it was fluid again). On the other hand I found it a bit tricky finding the girl I wanted to invite. Where IS she standing? Or sitting?

The selection of the DJ was pandastic. There was no quiet moment during the second part of Saturday night (a really good choice of strong tandas).

The style of the tandas on Sunday afternoon was a little repetitive but still good quality.

I found the reception at the door to be warm and welcoming and the bar staff very friendly. Especially one girl warmed my fuzzy heart. The price for an event of this quality is really cheap. 23€ for a weekend of dance. And local people were so kind and open to host people for the night.  An event to recommend to everybody. I will come back! Here are some photos of me and and my new friends:

Boca Antwerp and my friends

Specs: 2 days of dancing, 23 EUR for Saturday and Sunday. Or pay by milonga. Afternoon 7 EUR and evening milongas a 12 EUR. The event was organised by www.estarbien.be in cooperation with Tangofabriek El Sur - La Luna - Ojos Azules - Pasion Norteña.  AND here are a few

photo albums