3216  Still trying to get back to normal

Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 13:40:07 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: Still trying to get back to normal

As it is with all things political in BsAs, the beaurocratic wheels are
turning slowly, allowing a milonga or two to reopen each week after the
complete shutdown during the month of January. The milongas now have the
status of cultural entities, but that doesn't seem to be helping the
situation return to normal.

It's no longer a case of arriving at an afternoon milonga when you want to.
There used to be two or three each day of the week. During the inspection
process, we're fortunate to have a few during the week. That means that
more dancers are going early so they aren't turned away at the door because
the place has reached capacity.

Last Saturday, I went to Enrique's milonga in Region Leonesa. The dance
floor was full when I arrived. El Arranque and Lo de Celia are still
closed. The serious dancers in BsAs go to the afternoon milongas, so they
were out in full force at Enrique's. Hector and Norma have temporarily
moved to Villa Malcolm on Saturday afternoon until they can return to
Celia's soon. I'm remaining positive that Celia's will be inspected and
open on Feb 20 according to her employees.

Wednesday afternoon was jammed at Canning, the best day of the week to dance
there in my opinion. This is where your skills are put to the test while
dancing among the milongueros. I was there with three couples from Chicago
who were challenged, not intimidated.

An announcement at Canning was made that Viejo Correo would be opening on
Friday afternoon, but after checking with La Tana the organizer, she told me
to call her on Thursday to confirm it. It's early in the afternoon on
Friday, and they are still waiting for the inspection to be done to open
today at 4pm. It's a crazy situation which we are all learning to deal with
patiently. I'll be checking later to know whether or not we'll be going to
Viejo Correo this afternoon.

Friends told me they arrived at Club Espanol on Thursday at 4pm and it was
completely full by 5pm. The milonga usually has tables until 7pm, but at
this time it's the only afternoon milonga that day. There's no competition,
so they are enjoying a full house during this period of adjustment.

Tonight, La Baldoza will be honoring Carmencita Calderon for her 100th
birthday. I called this afternoon to make a reservation for a table, but I
really wasn't surprised to hear a message that the place was completely
reserved.


Janis Kenyon
Buenos Aires