[Tango-L] Truth in Tango Advertising & Tango Detente

[Vince Bagusauskas]

>What do traditionalists need to do to let attendees know that at their 
>milongas, one adheres to a line of dance, keeps feet on the floor, and 
>generally respects the space of other dancers on the floor?

It would be good as part of educating what traditionalists and nuevoists 
(sic?) want is to advertise what you are seeking to attain.  Just saying it 
is "Tango milonguero" or "classical tango music" will not on its own create 
the sort of atmosphere you want.  However, "alternative milongas" says very 
clearly to everyone what is allowed I think.

>Tango milonguero dancers have 'traditional' milongas with 'all classic 
>tango music'. The classes they teach are 'Argentine Tango'.
I see a problem with this. A majority of tangoists are not Argentine, do not 
tango in Argentina on a regular basis and some never go.  They are 
influenced on what happens around their local city.  90% of the tango 
workshops I have gone to in Australia have taught nuevo elements.  I had a 
quick look at the Berlin and Montreal tango festivals and their programs had 
a lot of nuevo.  Even Denver had a "Nuevo milonguero classics(?!!!)" 
workshop. So the majority of the worlds tango dancers believe that nuevo 
moves are OK at *any* milonga is what I am proposing.

Previously, in all seriousness I said milonga hosts/organisers/clubs should 
set-up a sandwich board outside the door on what "codes" are to be respected 
at their milongas.  Alternative ways to educate (promotion/"truth in 
advertising"/image) the vast majority of tango dancers outside Argentina and 
who never read this list (actually how many subscribe to this list are 
there: 1000?) can be thought of, like reminders in newsletters, sheets of 
paper on the tables etc.  It will take time, but eventually there will be an 
understanding of what is expected in each tango milonga outside BsAs.

People will then vote with their feet on whether they want to go to certain 
milongas that promotes "older style tango" keeping feet on the floor etc. 
Some milongas will die as people decide the music and image does not agree 
them, but the as long as the remaining people are having fun, that is OK.

Fair enough?