This Saturday, December 6, celebrates the National Day of Tango, and also the birthdays of Carlos Gardel and the great orchestra leader, Julio de Caro. The city is celebrating with La Gran Milonga Nacionale at 8 p.m. on the Avenida de Mayo, which will be transformed into a dance floor eight thousand meters square from Bolivar to Bernardo de Irigoyen. Among the orchestras that will participate are the Sexteto Milonguero, Los Reyes del Tango, Siri Robert and his Show, Typical Orchestra " The other Vereda," and the Orchestra of the Navy of the Argentine Republic. More than 10 orchestras will perform on 3 stages. Last year more than 20,000 people attended.
Comfort stations will be provided, as well as vendors and foodstalls. The government is going all out to promote tango, and thus, tourism. The artists are not paid, but volunteer their services "para la patria" (y para la publicidad.) Ruben was invited to participate along with other milongueros, but he respectfully declined.
Where shall he be, this Saturday at 8 p.m.? Where he always is at that time on Saturdays, dancing at the Milonga de los Consagrados with his friends, students, companeros.
It's fantastic that Argentina has a "National Day of Tango," but the truth is, it's for tourists and locals who wish to enjoy a free night of tango. For the die-hard tango-loving milongueros, they will be found in the milongas as always, dancing on smooth floors to music they love.
Note: There seems to be some confusion as to the date of the National Day of Tango. Officially it is December 11, but it's being celebrated tonight, Dec. 6, here in Buenos Aires.
After eleven years living, dancing, teaching tango, and writing in Buenos Aires, I came home to L.A. in 2014, where I'm reconstructing my life.
2 comments:
A note to say I admire your spirit Ms. Magnus, uprooting and off to Buenos Aires. Visited in September and was mesmerized by Argentine. By chance, stumbled across the Mundiel de Baile and for three days did what I do best, "people watch." One of the best experiences of my life was watching the interaction of young and old at that event. Renewed my faith in humanity. There are not too many things in this old world that have impressed me as much as that experience. For me, Argentine is really all about the people. They truly live for the day with a lot of grace and style. Hard to explain, but know what it is when I see and feel it. Guess it is a mixture of renaissance-romantic eras. Only thing I can think of at the moment. Take care, and enjoyed your writings.
dennis
I think your confusion resides in the fact that the milonga nacional is an event concocted by Horacio Ferrer and the Tourism office of the city government, conveniently exploiting the official celebration of the Dia Nacional del Tango which is always on December 11.
Good for those who know best and stay away from the circus dancing where it really counts.
Post a Comment