So
at last London has a regular 'cabeceo milonga'. It started late in
August with an afternoon and evening session, and it was a big
success. There were tables for men and tables for ladies, and also
tables for people who wanted to sit together. Perhaps almost as
important... everyone actually had a chair! (That exclamation mark
explains what it's usually like here.)
Why
is it a good idea for organisers to take this step? Well, think about
it. These days, most men and women expect to agree at a distance on a
dance, so we're almost there already except for the seating
arrangements; it seems a simple step to organise the seating to
optimise this new (to us) custom. And it's surprisingly good fun: you
sit opposite partners most of whom you know at least by sight waiting
for that magic moment when the cortina dies away and a new tanda
starts. There are a few moments, a buzz of excitement and
anticipation as eyes dart back and forth, then leads start to stand
stand up and cross the floor to greet another partner, and the ronda
begins again. Generally you wait for the music: ah! it's a vals, and
I know who I'd like to dance a vals with right now! It's more or less
what we already do, but it is so much clearer when it's organised
like this. Of course it's helpful to have some kind of common space –
a refreshments area or a bar – where conversations can be
continued, or started. But the difference the cabeceo in good light
makes is that the dance to the music becomes the real focus, the
dance with different partners is what we focus on and enjoy, and the
result is we enjoy a much better evening or afternoon.
'It
can't happen here...' It's what people were saying about dancing in
close embrace six years ago in London: how wrong they were! Suddenly
we find there's nothing extraordinary about dancing close, even with
partners we've never met before. I always hoped a 'cabeceo milonga'
could happen here but I think I wrote that it seemed unlikely that it
would ever happen. Of course, it now happens just within the context
of recent 'tango clubs', rather than in the context of public
milongas, but it's a great achievement, and thanks and
congratulations to the organisers. Tango has moved on fast in London,
and we have to thank the people who've created the foundation for
this, and those who have made it happen.
3 comments:
What is this wondrous place, of which you speak?
I must try it myself. It'll save me long journeys out of London to find cabeceo milongas.
Good news as you say.
How attractive that sounds.
Hi Mascarita, and thanks for your comment.
I think I've explained enough why I don't name this milonga. I mention it not to give it publicity (which it doesn't need) but so that people will know there's another way to organise milongas, which results in a good afternoon of dancing.
That's all!
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