[Tango-L] Milonga Codes

[Janis Kenyon]

I am a regular viewer of Codigos de Milongas, a new program on Solo Tango
which follows young men at home to the milonga with a commentary by men who
have danced tango for many years.

Program #2 presented Damian (23)  who spoke about taking many classes and
then privates to learn.  He learns the hard way when he approaches a girl at
her table in Plaza Bohemia.  She refused him, so he went to ask another girl
who accepted.  Carlos Matera (organizer of Sunderland) was speechless when
he saw Damian wearing jeans to a milonga.  Matera wasn't in agreement with
anything Damian did or said.

Program #3 had Jonathan (21) showing his white shirt and jacket, but putting
on a black t-shirt and pants.  He talked about the importance of the codes,
but complained about getting excuses when girls didn't want to dance with
him.  He carried his shoes in a bag, which never existed when Roberto
Dentone was young, who commented "muy loco."  Jonathan went to invite a girl
to dance as soon as the guy at her table went to the men's room.  After he
danced with the girl, Roberto commented, "Tango is an embrace.  He broke the
embrace.  He needs to keep his head straight to be more elegant."

Program #4 showed Gaspar (20) wearing a t-shirt, pants, and sneakers.
Salvador A. Molinari (Tito) pointed out that he's wearing comfortable
clothing, but if a woman spends an hour doing her hair, makeup and getting
dressed to dance, the least a man can do is to wear good shoes.  Tito noted
that he didn't bother to use deodorant or cologne.  Gaspar went to La Viruta
and approached a girl at her table.  Tito remarked that this obligates a
woman when she might have a commitment with someone else.

Program #5 has Hernan (24) calling Gricel for a reservation on a Friday
night.  He wears a t-shirt and sneakers, so he feels out of place entering
Gricel where all the men are wearing suits.  He walks around looking for
someone close to his age and finds a table nearby.  He's the first one to
use a head movement to invite a young woman.  In his critique, Julio Cesar
Rodriguez says sneakers are for the gimnasium, shoes are for the dance
salon.

In Program #6, Hugo (28) goes to Villa Malcolm where he invites a woman to
dance before he has seen her dancing.  He approaches her table and motions
with his arm to invite her; she accepts because she has been looking at him
since he sat down.  He soon realizes that she isn't at his level, but makes
the best of it.  Oscar Steimez predicts that he won't want to dance with her
again; later Hugo confirms this.

I would like to see this program follow a real milonguero at home and at the
milonga.  New dancers could benefit from their many years of experience.

Saturdays at 5:00pm; Mondays at 10:00pm
Solo Tango TV - Canal 7 Cablevision
www.tangocity.com