milonga

by

Wearable Art!

Although I’ll take a taxi if it’s raining, I usually go to the milonga on the bus. Since tango clothes can look a bit over-the-top outside the milonga, I always strive to cover them until I get there.

Some time ago, I saw a woman wearing a full length kimono with a design all over the back, and I was inspired to do something like that as a tango clothes cover-up. I thought about embroidery, but it’s not something I enjoy doing. Since I was in painting mode at that time, I decided that was the way to go.

I went to Once (pronounced ohnsay), which is the garment and fabric district of Buenos Aires—and always a fun visit—and bought some black material. I had neither a pattern nor a sewing machine, so I used another kimono as the pattern and stitched the pieces together with a needle and thread. Sound very tedious, and it was, but I did it during the lockdown while watching YouTube videos.

I wanted something vibrant and bright for the design, so I did the kind of colourful doodle I’ve been doing in my spare time since I was a child, using fabric paint. I finally finished the whole thing a couple of weeks ago and it’s just the thing for its purpose. I have to say I’ve also had some nice compliments about it.

I decided you might enjoy seeing it, so last night I got Lina to take some photos as we were leaving the milonga. Starting at the back, where most of the design is, and moving around to the front, which has just enough to keep it from being blank. What do you think?

by

Day 2, Wednesday — later that night

I was tired after my tour and had eaten dinner in town so that I could stay home for the rest of the evening. However … I was walking down the main street on my way home when I saw a sandwich board on the sidewalk outside a bar announcing a milonga at 10 pm! I groaned inwardly because I really was tired, but of course I was curious.

A young woman from the bar told me the milonga was only held on Wednesdays and I should definitely come. I kind of thought I wouldn’t, but as I walked along I realized that if I didn’t go, later I would be sorry I hadn’t. Decision made, I hurried home and got changed. I didn’t wear actual tango clothes, as it looked like a casual kind of place, but I did take my tango shoes of course.

I took a taxi and arrived about 10.15 pm. It was a simple bar, with a small space at the end for dancing — mirrors all around made it look a little larger! There were a few people at the tables, and two young men took pity on me and invited me to join them. They told me there was no table service and if I wanted a drink I would have to get it at the bar. I changed into my shoes and headed over.

I asked for a glass of red wine. After conferring with her boss, the bartender said she couldn’t open a bottle(!) I asked for a glass of champagne. Another conference brought the news that they had small bottles, so I settled for that. In Buenos Aires milongas, I get a glass of champagne for 100 pesos including tip. Here, it was only slightly more than a glass for 225 pesos before the tip! Bariloche is expensive.

Anyway, I took my champagne back to the table and sat down. Before I could even pour my glass, I looked up to find a young man inviting me to dance. Most of the people there were young, and I wasn’t sure I would be asked to dance, but this young man was in charge of the music and it was nice of him to take a chance. He was a great dancer, so he showcased me and I had several lovely tandas in the hour I stayed.

All in all, I’m glad I sampled the tango in Bariloche!

by

Tango Togs!

Well you already know about my tango shoe obsession, but I’ve recently been updating my tango clothes collection.

  When my friend Venetia came to Buenos Aires a few years ago, she thought she would dance tango. So she went out and bought this beautiful (and obviously very expensive) black silk chiffon skirt. Then she decided tango wasn’t for her, and she forgot about the skirt. She recently unearthed in in a cupboard and gave it to me. I love it! It’s cut on the bias and swirls beautiful when I pivot!

I bought this skirt on Friday afternoon and wore it Sunday night! Red crushed velvet with a fishtail — the milonga is the last bastion of over-the-top dressing!

At Sueño Porteño, where I went last night, they take random photos of the dancers for their Facebook page. This is me with one of my first partners of the evening. What a great dancer he was!

As if all this weren’t enough, I went shopping again today and bought more! My challenge tonight will be deciding which outfit to wear.

And today I secured another new client — so you know what that means! Stay tuned for photos.

by

Milonga Obelisco

This is the milonga I went to last night with my friends Lola and Viviana. We had such a great night!

It’s a friendly crowd, with what we call here buena onda — similar to good vibes in English. All three of us danced a lot, and I was delighted I was even able to dance a presentable milonga. The milonga is not only the place to dance tango, but it’s also a variation of tango. I love watching people dance it because it’s fast, and it’s such a happy dance, but I’ve been a bit intimidated by it in the past because of the fast footwork. But I had a lovely partner who led me beautifully into it, and I danced blissfully, eyes closed, around the floor.

Love tango. Love the milonga. Love Buenos Aires!!

by

Special Milonga

On Sunday night I went with my friend Lola to the milonga at La Nacional, but this was a special charity milonga. There was no fixed price to get in, and you just donated whatever you wanted. I put just a bit more than I would normally pay, but some people must have been extremely generous because they raised 90,000 pesos, or almost $1,400. The money goes towards education in the rural areas of Argentina, so it was a good cause. They do this every month for a different charity — sadly I’ll have left by the time next month’s rolls around.

At one point during the evening there was a break from the dancing, and we were treated to two exhibitions. One was a couple dancing a very nice tango, and the second was this exhibition of a folkloric dance called the Chacarera. Its origins are in the mountains, and it’s a very lyrical, romantic dance of flirtation between the couple.

As I have just over three weeks left before I leave this time, I’ll be going to a lot of milongas between now and then!

by

Afternoon Milonga

I’ve never done this before, but today I went to an afternoon milonga — and I really enjoyed it. The place is called El Beso, and it had been recommended to me by a couple of people, so today I decided to give it a try. It started at 1.30 pm and went on until 8 pm, although I actually left around 5 pm.

The first man I danced with was French Canadian, and the second was Scottish! But both danced tango well, so that was OK. Actually, the Scottish man was on vacation here with his wife, and I spent a nice time with them explaining some things about the Buenos Aires milonga scene they didn’t know. It was fun.

I have to say that coming out of the milonga into the light of day was a bit strange — kind of like going to a matinee at the movies, I guess. But most of the people there were of my vintage, and I rather enjoyed that. I’m going to go back next Saturday and hopefully my friend Lola will come too.

Tango on!