Hello Everyone,
I’ve been back in the Bay Area awhile now and I’m enjoying it. The food is way excellent, the city is quiet, and the air is clean. But enough of these trivial things…what about the tango? Today I’m going to props (proper respects) to the milongas here in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Props to Abrazo Dulce for the friendliest crowd, a vinyl spinning dj (Daniel Peters) and the best food ever at a milonga. Seriously. I would go back just for the food. I had some rosemary popcorn, goat cheese, toasted oatmeal cookies, some palenta, some awesome crackers…dang, it was good.
Props to Cell Space for having a huge number of dancers. I saw people relaxing and doing their own thing which was good to see. It didn’t feel restricted at all. Its an “alternative” milonga…interpretative dancing is allowed…encouraged? Note: I try not to be negative but this is important. The floor (the floor itself, not the dancers) is dangerous. Holes, dips, bows, and cracks abound. No bueno.
Props to Verdi Club and Milonga El Arrabal for having the best dancers, best floors, and best dressed.
Props to Tango Magdalena for having a commitment to live music. Live music the standard? Way to go. I’m very much loving that. They have the best Bay Area bands come in and play, like Trio Garufa, Seth Asarnow y su Sexteto Tipico, & The Redwood Tango Ensemble.
Props to El Valenciano and the attendees for actually using the cabaceo. Wow! I also really enjoyed the “lack” of space. Being in closer quarters made me dance in a way I have missed since Buenos Aires. This milonga is also a great place to meet new people, there always seems to be someone I haven’t seen before in attendance.
See you on the floor.
-Nicholas Tapia
