It turned out that they have monthly evening milonga on 1st Saturday, and monthly Sunday afternoon milonga on 2nd Sunday. This month, the 1st Saturday and 2nd Sunday fall in the same weekend. Combining a Friday evening milonga, they set up this three milonga weekend and dubbed as "mini milonga marathon".
For us out of towners, the setting is convenient. So I drove to Dallas on Saturday, had two parties, and came back on Sunday.
The Saturday milonga had a crowd of decent size. I counted about 25 couples dancing on the floor at one time. There were seven people from Oklahoma. The Dallas people were welcoming and I had good dances. I appreciate it.
I also enjoyed watching as well. Milonga is like Sushi train. While I sit, couples come dancing, allowing me to observe up close, then move away. Some may be more interesting than others, but each couple is unique.
There are many different points you can watch. Each dancer's skill level, how they manage to cooperate, interesting moves and musical interpretations, body usage, pattern habits, style match-up, simply appreciating good dancers, ...etc. While watching I'd pick up interesting moves, or figure out dancers' habits so that later I can lead informed.
Since I am from out of town, speculating bunch of things by just watching was also fun.
For Sunday afternoon milonga, the dress suggestion was white ("Winter White"). The crowd was mostly white, including myself.
There was a kid (teen?) in the afternoon milonga. I danced a couple of Tandas with her. Kids are lighter, so it takes extra care to place her in the right spot with good axis. No rush. Once adjustment was done, it was nice and easy dance. The kid was dancing fine and catching on quick. Fast progress is also a kid thing that I like. Hope she'd enjoy dancing many good Tangos.
But there was a sad realization also. In Oklahoma Tango communities, we do not have kids.
Starting young can give you some edge in any dancing. Some dance professionals I know started very young. I've seen some kids in Swing dance club, ballroom parties, Salsa studios, hip hop class, etc. Yet, I don't recall kids in Tango parties.
(...is it because of wine? Maybe.)
Anyhow, it was a nice weekend excursion. They'll have these mini marathon again in May and in November in 2020. I'll keep an eye on the calendar.
PS. On the Sunday the journal office sent me their decision; another revision. They gave me two weeks. I'm on it. Tomorrow we''ll have Holiday lunch for our lab. Year end is going quickly.
