1935  the ever-changing milongas in Buenos Aires

Date: Wed, 29 Oct 2003 20:04:05 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: the ever-changing milongas in Buenos Aires

It takes time to build a good milonga in Buenos Aires to the point that many
good dancers come on a regular basis. During the past four years, I have
seen the best milongas close for a number of reasons. Club Juvenil closed
because the court ordered the owner to sell it to pay all the bad debts and
it eventually became another salsa club. Club Almagro closed so that the
space could be converted into a health club. Italia Unita closed and was
coverted to a salsa club. Caribean (already a salsa club) closed because
there were major repairs necessary in the bathrooms which the owners never
made.

A few weeks ago, Enrique Rosich, one of the organizers of Milonga de Los
Consagrados, had a mild stroke a few days before his 65th birthday. He
celebrated two years of his milonga on September 3. I remember one of the
early days of his milonga when there were five couples, five single men, and
five single women. Through Enrique's hard work and determination, he
succeeded in having the best milonga in Buenos Aires. Saturday afternoons
were packed, and Wednesday and Friday afternoons had more space to dance and
milongueros.

Once again, a great milonga is gone. One of the most difficult things to
understand about the milonga scene in Buenos Aires is why things change; in
this case for no apparent reason. The place is the same. The music is
provided by the same DJ. The only thing that has changed are the
organizers. Two milongueros have assumed the responsibility for continuing
the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoon milongas, formerly hosted by
Enrique and Ruben. I went a couple weeks ago after the change in management
and couldn't believe the difference. All the women who had reserved front
tables were gone. There were many new faces, but the milongueros were still
there. And there was more space to dance--one good improvement.

Why do people go to one milonga and not another in Buenos Aires? Many go to
a milonga because the organizer is a friend, and they go to support him.
Some go because their friends go. Others hear about a milonga by word of
mouth, and go to see for themselves. I went to Enrique's milonga because he
was always there at the door to welcome me, take me to a good table, and
thank me for coming when I left. His milonga has the best music in BsAs.

Wednesday afternoons are now hosted by Luis Trapazzo; Hector Pellozo
hosts Friday and Saturday afternoons. Nothing has changed except the person
who warmly greets you at the door. It's still a 3 peso entrada for women;
5 pesos for men. And you can dance to the best music in Buenos Aires.

This club has a square dance floor with good lighting so that one can see
across the room to make eye contact to dance. The cabeceo is used (unless
you will accept a verbal invitation from a walker who can't dance) by the
best dancers. On three sides of the room there are three rows of tables;
there is walking space between the second and third rows of tables so that
those entering do not walk on the dance floor. The third row is against the
wall. The majority of men sit on two opposite sides of the room, and the
women on the other sides. Front row tables are reserved for the regulars.
There are no sections for non-smokers; the milonga has 3 air-conditioners
running year-around and additional fans going in the warmer weather.

By the way, Enrique is doing fine and is recuperating at home for a few
months. The first question to his doctor was, "how long will it be before I
can dance?" He suffered only a mild paralysis of one side. When he
has fully recovered, I am certain he will be teaching classes again and
opening another milonga. A couple weeks ago, Hector Pellozo gave all the
money collected for entradas on Friday afternoon to Enrique. We all hope
Enrique has a speedy recovery.

Celia Tango Club
Humberto Primo & Entre Rios
Wed, Fri, & Sat from 5-9pm


Pichi de Buenos Aires
www.totango.net/milongueros.html