The “Hoy Milonga” Guide launches a special section of online tango classes to dance during quarantine.
The “Hoy Milonga” guide launches a special section of online tango classes with renowned teachers to dance from home during quarantine, in a context where tango becomes increasingly necessary for the mind, body and spirit. More information in https://www.hoy-milonga.com/buenos-aires/es/
"Tango is the deepest popular dance in the world" like waldo frak said, and in times of pandemic both regular milongueros and those who have just started in the 2×4 they look for alternatives that allow them to stay connected with dance, while they wait for the reopening of the milongas and meet again in the long-awaited embrace of tango.
In this context, Hoy Milonga -the only guide that keeps the information of more than 900 monthly milongas-, launched a new section of online tango classes, both paid and free.
Hector Villar, creator of Hoy Milonga
Holds: “We have been accompanying the tango scene in Buenos Aires and in other parts of the world for more than 5 years. In this context, we adapt the guide to the new needs of dancers, teachers and all those for whom tango is their passion, his life style, and their livelihood. And close: “Creating this new section of online classes is faithful to our style of being 'ridiculously' updated -as we say internally-. Today dancing is essential for the health of the body, mind and spirit. Having a list of online classes on hand is a great incentive for our more than 170 thousand users keep learning. And it is a great opportunity for all those who once thought of taking a tango class but did not have time, or they were not encouraged. Now is the time to dare!”.
Oscar Garcia, teacher and organizer of milongas
Holds: “You can learn the tango steps alone and at home. With the classes we seek to take advantage of this moment to learn and when this ends, return to the tracks as better dancers. Classes for those who are alone generally focus on technique and playing with music, and for those who are accompanied in elegance and bodily dialogue with the couple. The students really enjoy learning and dancing despite the confinement ".
Today Milonga, was declared of Tourist Interest by the legislature of Buenos Aires in the year 2016. With this initiative they seek to bring more people to the world of danced tango, support teachers and continue to install tango in the country and in the world. The guide is in five languages and is the leader in updated information on all the milongas in Buenos Aires, Berlin, NRW (Germany), Montevideo and Turkey. It has directions, Map, phones to make reservations, etc. It also communicates the tango shoe and clothing stores; the current orchestras; brand promotion, events or services related to the sector; the tango schools; and now added the online teacher and class guide.
Tango in quarantine
"Before the pandemic, the numbers related to the tango ecosystem in the city of Buenos Aires (they are not official data) they were around: 940 milongas per month, in 140 venues; 77 boutiques of shoes and exclusive tango clothing; about 21 schools; Y 39 musical groups and orchestras.
Although I have no doubts that tango will resurface from this world calamity, we will be attentive to the damage caused ", explains Villar.
In this sense, Villar describes below the various actions that tango is taking during the quarantine:
- Some milongas are holding virtual meetings with their community so as not to lose the bond, as Yira Yira or La Viruta.
- A support network was created between tango lovers who can make donations and tango workers who are in a desperate situation. (CAST = Embrace Solidarity Tango Crusade)
- Paid and free online festivals, like the festival “Embracándonos”.
- Live broadcasts of DJs playing music.
- Tango boutiques that were reconfigured to sell online and within the country.
- Online classes: tango, ballet for tango, yoga for dancers, stretching, Tango dj, etc.
Gender equality in tango
In addition to the changes that danced tango has had to experience due to the pandemic, it has also been deconstructed to become a more inclusive space.
On this Villar maintains: “Tango is changing in the same way as the rest of society. The issues that are being reviewed in Argentina and in the world such as machismo, Gender equality and the acceptance of sexual diversity generate changes in the culture of the milonga giving rise to new behaviors. The ‘codes’ such as that a woman accompanied by her male partner is not invited to dance, or that the woman never invites a man they leave aside. In most milongas you can see same-sex couples dancing. In the milongas of younger people you see women in the role of conductor and the man following ”.
Today Milonga
Today Milonga has the most complete information, Accurate and updated in real time of all the practices and milongas of Buenos Aires and the main milongueras cities of the world, including shops, tango schools, orchestras and everything related to this environment. All the milongas and practices appear regardless of the style, be it traditional or new, free or to the cap, or sexual inclination. If you dance tango, is in Hoy Milonga. For this it uses the latest technology and a lot of development of its own software.
Today Milonga Club
It is an association whose members have as their main interest dancing tango socially. Membership in the club is through a subscription that helps to maintain the tango guide Hoy Milonga and that offers its members significant discounts on tickets to the milongas, ropa shops, shoes and shows, among others. Access to Hoy Milonga Club membership and benefits is obtained by downloading the Hoy Milonga Club application from the App Store and subscribing.
