Melbourne Tango
Melbourne Tango: an exposé of the Melbourne tango scene - what can beginners to tango, as well as tango dancers visiting Melbourne, expect of the local tango scene?Melbourne tango elicited
It is evening. The air is cool, fresh, with a hint of excitement; the street you walk along is nondescript, the drivers pass you without a thought. You stop in front of a door - the door is always bland, grimy, ancient - and take pause. The silence, given how close you are to the other side of darkness, is surprising. You take hold of the handle, pull the door open, and slowly move from one reality into another. That other reality is dimly lit, the music is both sensuous and sad, the dancers - even in the middle of the week - are dressed to reflect the passion they feel and desire. It is the tango scene, and it could be - it is - anywhere in the world.But each tango community around the world of course is not the same; it has different players, different venues, different teachers and different movers. It is a unique subculture within a unique subculture. Given this website is dedicated to the Melbourne tango community, I thought I would include my perspective, share my thoughts, on Melbourne Tango.
Tango teachers at Melbourne
We start here because any tango community fundamentally revolves around its teachers: they tutor us both in classes and privately; they hold the majority of the practicas and milongas; they take groups to Buenos Aires and beyond; they guide, encourage and correct us; they take anchor whilst the community and the dancers within it evolves.So what about the teachers? That Melbourne's tango community is thriving and dynamic is owed in very large part to the fact that its teachers are a most welcoming and warm bunch. Yes they are all different - as you would want and expect (how could it be otherwise?). But when one enters their sphere, whether in a class, a practica or a milonga, you are welcomed with open arms, and made to feel privileged that you are there. It is self evident that our teachers take care and go to great lengths to make the experience a pleasurable one for all concerned; whether it is throwing in humor, quick assistance to someone a little behind in a group class, or the beautiful decoration of their venue.
Melbourne tango venues
Which indeed brings us to Melbourne's venues... Melbourne is fortunate that there is a very reasonable number and range of venues in which to learn, practice and dance.There is a sufficient number to ensure healthy competition, but not too many such that there are not enough dancers to go around. A sign of a thriving tango community is that classes, practicas and milongas are happening every day of the week - and in fact the Calendar page shows exactly that.
Each venue brings its own unique experience: music, lighting, space, number of beginners, regulars, etc. This article shall not be a comparison, as it must be left to the dancer to try the venues and derive a favorite, as dancers invariably do. What should be said - again - is that it is quite obvious the teachers take great pains to ensure their venues are warm and inviting, that their venue is special.
Tango visitors to Melbourne
Through the Contact page on this website, visitors often ask two questions:1. Which practicas or milongas are running during their stay? Assistance is always provided, and invariably the Calendar page is noted, which is kept up to date.
2. Do the practicas or milongas have a majority of dancing couples or singles? The answer is that all the venues will be comfortable to the casual visitor without a dance partner.
For those visitors who are wondering if indeed Melbourne is a welcoming place, this website very recently had an international visitor who requested 'a milonga/practica that I can come on my own (no partner in tow)'. She was recommended a milonga; and her email after the event said: 'Thank you so much for your suggestion. I went along last night and had a really good time. Everyone was so very nice and made me feel very welcome. Thank you again for all your tips'. (Both visitor and milonga shall remain nameless to protect the guilty).
New beginners to tango Melbourne
Melbourne is a beautiful place to begin learning tango: the teachers are great, the community is of such size that you will soon begin to recognize regulars and chat with them (and nearly all of them are extremely friendly), there are lots of beginner classes on almost every day of the week (see Calendar), and what's more the cost is very low. Anyone thinking of experiencing tango should at least try it, without a doubt. The following suggestions may help:- Have a look: many milongas will allow people in at no cost if they say they want to look and not dance. A milonga is a thing to behold!
- Coordination: everyone has terrible coordination and posture when they start. The excuse 'I have two left left feet' should not apply.
- Persist: tango is not easy, it takes a long time to master (more so for men). This challenge should be enjoyed, because the trip to enlightenment, as they say, is lifelong.
- Practicas: you will never improve until you go - and ideally go the day after you learn a new step.
- Milongas: this is very confronting for a beginner but they should go as soon as they feel they can dance without holding up everyone else - and expect a range of experiences. Some nights will be magnificent; others will not - don't be put off because the more you learn, the better you become and the more enjoyable will be those experiences.
- Etiquette: the etiquette of the milongas is fairly simple, learn it and follow it (see the Milonga Etiquette page).
- Motivation: the most important thing to remember is the reason you are dancing tango: to enjoy yourself. This means don't take things too seriously, don't get (too) frustrated when you completely forget a new step; immerse yourself in the music.
People who liked this page also viewed the following pages:
The Melbourne Tango Calendar
Special Tango Events in Melbourne
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What worries? I am just here to dance! Tango is one of the great wonders of Argentina. -Alberto Pajesz
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