[Tango-L] Susana El Pial -- 15 years

[Janis Kenyon]

A few years ago a documentary film was made about Susana Minana and her
milonga in Salon El Pial in Flores.  This past Sunday was her 15th
anniversary--not a small accomplishment for this tiny woman in her 70s.

All I can say is that she's a real firecracker.  She greets everyone--all
400+ dancers--and knows their names.  She wears her tango shoes all night
long without ever sitting down.

The first hour from 6:00-7:00 is a solid hour of dancing without cortinas
while everyone is arriving.  El Pial is the largest dance floor I know in
Buenos Aires.  Tables of ten surround the dance floor.  It's like a big
party where friends have been getting together for years.  Most have the
same table they've had for years.  There is a small section of tables near
the entrance where singles are seated.  The majority are couples, especially
on Sunday.  There are only a handful of couples under the age of 60.  Most
are in their 70s and 80s.

Susana had two couples for exhibitions.  One of them had represented El Pial
in the Campeonato Metropolitano.  Susana took the spotlight for a tango and
vals with Hector "Coco" Guaraldi.  She also paid tribute to many couples who
have attended her milonga from the beginning.  They danced to D'Arienzo's La
Cumparsita while friends cheered and applauded them.  There were so many who
came for her anniversary party, that tables had to be set up on the stage.
And Susana had cake and Sidra served to everyone!