Welcome to the Milonga (Social Dance)

Etiquette

One of the things that makes Argentine tango unique is the etiquette at the milonga. These things will be covered in the intro class but if you are curious here are the basics of Argentine Tango Etiquette:

Hygiene:

Tango is danced with partners close to each other. Because of this make sure to shower and wear deodorant. You know your body, if you know you sweat a lot, consider bringing a handkerchief or even a change of clothes. Milongas often get very warm and it is important to be aware of your personal hygiene.

Cabeceo: How to ask someone to dance

in Argentine tango we use a nonverbal glance, and nod (or cabeceo) to ask someone to dance. Generally this is offered by the leader from some distance away and a follower can choose to accept with a nod, or look away to decline. This may feel foreign at first but once you get the hang of it you may find that it makes asking someone to dance much less awkward. If you are having difficulty, ask an experienced dancer or the host of the milonga to help. You may verbally ask someone to dance but it is considered best form to use the cabeceo.

Ronda: “The Tango Highway” 

Argentine tango is dance in a round (or ronda). The dancers always move counter clockwise in a single lane called “the line of dance”. Think of this as the tango highway. To enter the ronda, the couple stands in a corner of the dance floor, the leader meets eyes with the next leader coming to make sure they have room, and then they can enter and begin dancing. Once in the ronda it is important that you do not pass the couple in front of you, think of it as a double yellow line. You also don’t want to take multiple steps backwards as it could cause a crash. If the milonga is crowded couples may form an inner ring or ring(s) of the ronda. You may choose to move into an inner ring for more space, but once you move in you may not move out. These rules keep the dancefloor moving nicely and prevent accidents between couples. 

Tandas: A set of Dances

Once you have agreed to dance with someone via the cabeceo, you have signed up for a set of songs (or tanda). All the songs in a set will be by the same orchestra and or have similar styles. In Montana we often play sets of 3 songs but in larger events 4 is common. Generally if you say yes to dancing with someone you are saying yes to the whole tanda. However if you are uncomfortable at any time you may leave the dance floor. You will know the tanda is ending when you hear a curtain song (or cortina) it will sound vastly different then the rest of the songs. For example, imagine hearing 3 songs by Beethoven (the tanda) and then a song by Led Zeppelin (the cortina). The cortina gives time for the couples to exit the dance floor before the next set starts. Bonus: “the thank you rule” a quirky rule of tango is to only say thank you when you are finished dancing with someone. Aka if you say thank you after the second song your partner may think you are wanting to be done dancing with them.

Talking: Let The Dance Speak For Itself

In general, once the dance has begun partners do not talk. It takes a lot of concentration to dance tango as it is a completely improvised dance. Between songs or after a tanda feel free to socialize and talk as much as you like.