28  El Beso in continuo

Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 13:06:55 -0000
From: Nauj Ozneirad <jozneirad@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: El Beso in continuo

Thank you to all who responded to my request for info about this milonga,
both on the list and privately. It inspired me to use some of my last
nights to attend, and I found I take exception to the one singularly
negative post. Allow me to clear up some facts, based on first hand and
second hand knowledge. I quote the negative post from Janice Kenyon as
reference:

>>Before it became the dance studio of Susana Miller, the space was the

milonga REGIN, open 7 nights a week.<<
Sorry, Regin was only open two nights a week...

>>I simply don't like the place for several reasons. It doesn't have a

professional DJ. I have been dancing while the music was suddenly cut
possibly due to the lack of expertise by the person in charge.<<

The dj at El Beso, since its inception, is Osvaldo Natucci. Sr. Natucci is
compensated fairly for his work, and thereby is definitely a professional.
Moreover, he is, by invitation, the dj at the two other milongas held at
this location. In fact, he is the co-sponser of the Tuesday night milonga
known as La Milonga de dos Osvaldos, because his co-host is Osvaldo
Buglioni. Furthermore, Sr. Natucci is a highly regarded historian of tango
music, often called upon to lecture on same, and has one of the most
extensive collections of tango recordings in Bs As. He is held in high
esteem by the other major djs in El Centro. Perhaps the music was cut due
to other reasons. No one at El Beso seems to remember this incident.

>> The quality of the music is not as good as I find it in other
milongas.<<

Interesting. More about this momentarily.

>>I have never been welcomed by anyone there. The staff does their jobs,
>>but I sense a lack of friendliness and hospitality towards "outsiders".
>>This is not the case in the other milongas I attend where they make me
>>feel as if I am visiting their home for a gathering of friends with a nice
>>social atmosphere and good music. <<

Odd that you should experience this. I was quite warmly welcomed. I know
of 17 responses from North Americans, almost all women, who have recently
gone to the club and felt as at home as at any milonga in the city. I know
of a story about one in particular, an instructor named Robert Hawk of
Portland, Oregon, who was actually so well accepted that he was thrown a
farewell party by the milongueros after his first visit to Bs As. El Beso
appears to be a big clique. The regular are warmly welcomed and don't have
to even pay the entrada. I was kept waiting for 30 minutes one night to be
seated at a table. I was ignored by the unfriendly gentleman in the black
shirt and then left.

>>Since the studio teaches tango milonguero, this is the style danced.
>>There is no room for ganchos and voleos to be done. I don't remember ever
>>seeing anyone dance other than in a close embrace.<<

Strange. How could such a horrible dj, who plays an inferior quality of
music, put so many people on the dance floor that there is no room for
ganchos? I found the music to be stimulating and entertaining, with
interesting choices for cortinas. Yes the dancing is apilado, which I
prefer.

>>I know people who go there regularly, but I just don't like the
>>atmosphere.<<

El Beso has become know as a clean, well run venue. The seedier proponents
of tango, yhose invovled with recreational pharmaceuticals
( we all have seen this unmentioned aspect of the milongas!) are not
tolerated. The decor is fresh and very tasteful, fashionable in a
non-intimidating way. The food available is good, if not outstanding.
Service is very reasonable, given the number of people who were there.

>>Dancing is a challenge since the space is an odd shape and has a post.<<

The space is not oddly shaped. It is a simple squre, or slightly
rectangular depending on how the tables are arranged at the end of the room
with banquette seating. There is a single supporting column slightly off
center, but the space outside of it permits two lines of dance. There are
other spaces in the city far more unusual. No one appeared to be challenged
by the space the nights I was there.

>>Yes,it's a place where the "in crowd" goes, but if you're a tourist, good
>>luck.<<

Please refer to the story of Sr. Hawk above.

>>I have been to El Beso on a Wednesday night when it seems more like a

practica for the class which just ended. <<

That's because on Wednesdays, it IS a practica for the class just ended, and
is advertised as such. However, so many people like to go to this clean,
tasteful club, that it has become more like a milonga than a practica.

>>I haven't been there on Friday or Saturday. When I've gone there on
Sunday night, it has been with my partner and friends. I have been there on
Tuesdays, but there is nothing that makes me want to go back.<<
Pichi de Buenos Aires


I was there on Saturday. The club is very well attended, but it starts to
thin out about 2 am. The dancing was spectacular after 3 am. I am told
that the Tuesday milonga is not as crowded, but is really attended by the
highest level of dancers.

I am so sorry your experience has been negative. If it's that bad, why have
you gone back so many times?