[Tango-L] Another Update on the North American Tango Festivals

[Stephen.P.Brown@dal.frb.org]

Unfortunately, much of the information that can be used to assess various 
characteristics about the announced tango festivals is not uniformly 
available.  Some organizers provide extensive information about their 
events, including past attendance.  Other organizers don't provide much 
more information than, "I'm having an event, please attend."

Rather than deciding what is a festival and what is not, I erred on the 
side of inclusion--accepting organizers' claims about what is a 
festival--even though some "festivals" appear to be not much more than a 
workshop with some milongas.  Maybe they are regional festivals?  Perhaps, 
I am too gullible.  I learned through a private communication that one 
"festival" I listed has never taken place, despite a long-standing website 
touting the event.  Non-existent probably shouldn't be listed as a 
festival--even though the so-called organizer has updated his website for 
the coming year's event.

In compiling my list, I did not equate close-embrace or milonguero-style 
tango with social dancing.  Rather, I have used past statements by the 
organizers and the mix of milongas versus classes as identifying festivals 
that place the emphasis on social dancing rather than instruction.  Those 
who view such identification as biased are free to ignore my identifying 
asterisks.  Perhaps others would prefer a list with indentifiers for 
festivals intended for young-hearted dancers, festivals with 
milonguero-style tango, festivals in which nuevo-style tango is taught 
with too-soft an embrace, festivals recommended by the list maker, etc.? 
Such people are free to compile their own lists of festivals and send them 
to Tango-L.

With best regards,
Steve