IMHO 2 Milonga milonga milonga
At the present time, there is a lot going on in the Tango community and I hear several comments such as “now we don’t know where to go” or “everyone is divided”, etc…
As a mother of two young boys, I know how important it is to have a passion, which is something I hope to transmit to my boys….a passion for something because this motivates us and gives us energy to create!
When a new establishment opens its doors in the community I think “oh here is someone else who has fallen in love with tango”.
As an organizer, I know that milongas are an essential part of the financial health of an establishment. However, if milongas and classes are popping up everywhere, it does dilute the community and essentially dissipates it. There are those who believe that the more activities there are, the more people will get involved, but I beg to digress. I believe that people want to go where other people are; this is also the image that I think we want Tango in Montreal to have.
When activities are planned, its prime goal should be to invest time, knowledge and energy in the community while always respecting the history of tango and the people who have built this community over the past 24 years. It is a known fact that financially, life
in the field of arts is a challenge. It’s unfortunate that we have to compete with people who seem to be in it just for the quick buck!
Speaking with the fabulous painter, Léa Rivière, she spoke of similar problems in her field. People with no formal training who were painting for fun and clearly not in need of painting to survive started to sell their paintings. Nonetheless, they were taking away from the lifeblood of the art they loved! Isn’t that a strange paradox? So the message is, I think that if we want the community to thrive and continue to grow in a healthy way, we need to be more conscientious of tango artists……..do you know who these artists are here in Montreal?
Another theme is that I think people have this false idea that there is a reigning climate of competition amongst organizers. I personally LOVE it when people from other studios/schools come to my Friday night events. The last time Carol from Studio Tango came we stayed until 4 am with Allyson Manta talking about them good old times… and this attitude is shared amongst organizers.
I remember the time when I used to have my shoes in hand going up the stairs to a milonga and how excited I was! I had the rare chance this weekend to go to the Tango Queer night at the Tangueria, again Paul and I had a good time chatting on a number of things! I am so looking forward to going to all your milongas, but as you know for now I pretty much have my hands full!
And in any case who would want to leave these men at home alone anyhow 
But one day, I will have more free time and it is with pleasure that I will be more present at other people’s milongas. In the meantime, let us work together towards maintaining Montreal as one of the best tango communities in the world.
