Sunday night Milongas

On my way to the Glorieta Milonga I walked into a Jazz concert in the Olleros subte station. It was such an unusual venue to see three jazz musicians set-up in a corner and people on the stairs, sitting on the floor while others tried to walk through the crowd to get a subway. It was a mini Sunday afternoon jazz festival in various subway stations around the city.

The Glorieta was fun to be out be out dancing in the bandshell/gazebo in a park. Apparently next Sunday is its 14th anniversary or something. Part way through the DJ put on a couple of songs and I got to watch some traditional Argentine dances. One was the Chacarera and the other someone called the Argentine Samba, which is danced with scarves and is nothing like the better known brazilian version.

After that I was invited to join a few others to go to the Milongita. It was much more formal and they were having a special Spring dance. It was definitely the place to be because I got to see a short performance from the recent winners of the Argentine tango world championships (Aug. 30, 2009). Hiroshi and Kioko Yamao danced a more traditional tango and then a faster paced Milonga tango.

My tips from the evening were to not rush the steps, close my eyes to feel the lead, and to trust my partner. Happy Spring everyone!