538 'milongueros'
Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 11:41:21 -0500
From: "Frank G. Williams" <frankw@MAIL.AHC.UMN.EDU>
Subject: Re: 'milongueros'
Hi Pichi!
I always read your posts with interest and now I have a question
for you.
You write:
> I hope that you get to study with him,
> because he is one of only three milongueros who teach in BsAs.
With much curiosity, I've been meaning to ask you what you mean by
'milonguero'. It seems you often use the term as a superlative when,
originally I'm told (and could easily understand), it was not a
flattering designation. Is it style, age, experience, clubs they
frequent, circle of friends, or something else? Your insights could
be very interesting.
I ask because many healthy changes that are afoot in the art of tango
dance are, in my opinion, being made by milongueros. ...people
whose individuality and creativity are adding to the richness of the
dance and extending the meaning and relevance of the music. Isn't it
that kind of dancer from a generation (or two) ago who today are
recognized as original luminaries? (like Juan Bruno, Todaro, etc.,
etc.)
But regardless whether one's tango is rooted in the '50s or is rooted
in the revival of the 80's or later, the milonguero life-style of today
would seem the same for all. I think we would agree that outside of
Bs.As.,
the milonguero/a nightlife probably can't exist. I recall last week
seeing one of the younger teachers appear at Salon Canning about
3:00 AM and his face had that fresh and puffy appearance that he just
woke up... Yikes! For me, just that suggests he's a milonguero even
though artistically he's almost avant garde! ;-) ...not to discount
the daylight venues such as C. Ideal, I think that my point remains...
What distinguishes the gentlemen you refer to as 'milongueros'?
With best regards and looking forward to hearing about your further
adventures,
Frank in Minneapolis
Frank G. Williams, Ph.D. University of Minnesota
frankw@mail.ahc.umn.edu Dept. of Neuroscience
(612) 625-6441 (office) 321 Church Street SE
(612) 624-4436 (lab) Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 281-3860 (cellular/home)
Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 01:38:57 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: Re: 'milongueros'
-----Original Message-----
Date: Monday, April 29, 2002 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: 'milongueros'
>Hi Pichi!
>With much curiosity, I've been meaning to ask you what you mean by
>'milonguero'. It seems you often use the term as a superlative when,
>originally I'm told (and could easily understand), it was not a
>flattering designation. Is it style, age, experience, clubs they
>frequent, circle of friends, or something else? Your insights could
>be very interesting.
>
Marisa Galindo, in her tribute to the milongueros (published in B.A
Tango--Buenos Aires Tango), wrote that "they know how to follow the line of
dance; they have a great sense of the music; they know each orchestra,
singers and the lyrics; dance without choreography and effect an exchange of
emotion and pleasure that can lead to ecstasy, allowing the woman to close
her eyes and surrender; they lead very gently and precisely using the entire
body; they dance self-centered--for themselves and their partners; they
dance protecting the woman; they exhibit respect for others on the floor;
and they have a sense of the music, variations of rhythm and pauses
demonstrated in their synchronization with the music, the woman and other
dancers."
The term "milonguero" was used to describe the men of the milongas who spent
all night dancing and drinking, who worked very little or not at all, and
who always had a woman or two to support them. I know milongueros who have
raised a family and who have worked all their lives. I also know
milongueros who have never been married, have never worked a day in their
lives, and have always been supported by women. This is troublesome for a
society to accept which values long work hours and making lots of money.
Everyone choses how they want to live.
It's interesting how some people want to be considered milongueros or don't
mind when they are given that title by someone who doesn't know otherwise.
There was a time when I thought a milonguero was any man over a certain age
who went to the milongas in BsAs every day and night. It is so much more
than that.
The milongueros don't go around telling people--"hey, did you know that I'm
a milonguero?" You have to learn it by listening to them talk about their
lives in tango. This is what I was hoping to do when I organized the
Congreso Milonguero last year, but which was cancelled. I'm hoping the
tourist travel to BsAs will return and I can reschedule it.
A milonguero is a gentleman and conducts himself accordingly. He dances
elegantly. He wants to dance well or not at all. All the women want to
dance with him, but he dances with only a select few. He can dance with
any woman and knows how each woman wants to dance. He respects others and
the codes and customs of the milonga. He learned by watching others, but
developed his own unique style. He would never copy another milonguero, but
appreciates watching others dance well.
I have had many long conversations with milongueros, so I understand they
are truly a different breed. They are a small group of men who all know
each other from the 50s when they went to dance in the central milongas of
BsAs.
>I ask because many healthy changes that are afoot in the art of tango
>dance are, in my opinion, being made by milongueros. ...people
>whose individuality and creativity are adding to the richness of the
>dance and extending the meaning and relevance of the music. Isn't it
>that kind of dancer from a generation (or two) ago who today are
>recognized as original luminaries? (like Juan Bruno, Todaro, etc.,
>etc.)
The music has always been relevant to the milongueros. They live for it.
They have probably danced a few thousand times to a certain tango, but they
never get tired of hearing it again. They may remember who they danced with
for the first time to a particular tango.
It is unfortunate that so few have experienced what it is like to dance with
a milonguero. You would't recognize the names if I gave you a list. They
have never been out of BsAs to dance or teach (although that will be
changing soon). It's like flying first class when you've always traveled in
coach. You can't go back to the old way anymore after you've experiencing
dancing with a milonguero. There is no comparison.
One tanda with a milonguero is enough to satisfy any woman for the evening.
I describe dancing with a certain milonguero as floating in the clouds--it's
heavenly.
>But regardless whether one's tango is rooted in the '50s or is rooted
>in the revival of the 80's or later, the milonguero life-style of today
>would seem the same for all. I think we would agree that outside of
>Bs.As., the milonguero/a nightlife probably can't exist.
That's probably true, although I know a milonguero who works at night and
has to go to an afternoon milonga where he dances a tanda or two before
work.
Milongueros lived for the night. There were no milongas in the afternoon
during the 1950s as there are today in BsAs. Times change.
>What distinguishes the gentlemen you refer to as 'milongueros'?
They don't dance to show off or for exercise. They dance with feeling to
please their partner. They have to be inspired by the music to dance. They
don't dance often. Tango is not a routine for them. They go to the milonga
when they need to dance. They can explain what the lyrics mean. They feel
the music in their soul and it makes their heart dance.
Pichi
