16th of May, 2024
Silvina Pugliese
Dancing more at Milongas: tips for leaders
One of the challenges for new tango dancers is getting to dance more at milongas (the social tango events). Here are some tips that might help you secure more and better dances as a leader!
1. Appreciate Simple Tandas
Limiting yourself to only dance with the most experienced followers will limite your opportunities to dance and have fun. Dancing with beginners and showing that you can enjoy dancing simply and nicely with the music will make you more popular among all followers, including the experienced ones!
2. Good Navigation Skills
As a leader, if you don't navigate the dance floor well or don't follow basic tango etiquette, followers might avoid accepting your dances. Improving these aspects will make you a better dancer, even when your dance skills are not super advanced.
3. Polishing Your Technique
Having good technique foundations and ensuring that your dance is comfortable for your partner is crucial in tango. Working on your basics and having an elegant and comfortable walk, will make you a popular dancer!
4. Understanding Tango Music
Being musical when dancing will turn your dance into an art. Follower and leader are connected by the music, and the musicality of the leader is essential for a beautiful dance that interprets the music in the moment.
5. Being Elegant
You don't need to wear super fancy clothes for tango, but your outfit should suggest that you put care into it and that you can move comfortably. Shoes are a key aspect of the dance, so make sure you have shoes that allow you to pivot smoothly (ideally, tango shoes). Wear your favorite clothes, and if you tend to sweat a lot when dancing, having an extra shirt to change into can be very beneficial. Hygiene is very important when dancing in close embrace with a partner.
6. Mastering the Art of Cabeceo
This is a very tricky one. It’s good to have a clear cabeceo, but if it's too persistent it might scare followers away. Make sure you are friendly and clear, but always subtle and respectful. And keep in mind that your invitation can be rejected sometimes and it’s never personal.
Attending milongas as a beginner is a big step! I hope these tips are helpful, and I'm sure friends and teachers in your tango community will be happy to share their insights with you as well, to help you get more dances.
Happy dancing! 🎶