I had zero idea what to expect.
How many people would be there?
Would anyone talk to me?
Was what I planned to wear okay?
Was it far too early in my tango journey to have the cheek to go?
Let’s be honest — I didn’t even know the different styles of tango music.
And then I discovered there were tandas… argh, more terminology!
Music is played in sets — a number of songs together depending on whether it’s Tango, Vals, or Milonga.
And just to add to the confusion — milonga can mean two things. A social tango dance… or a style of music.
Take that!
You think that’s it? Oh no.
In between tandas there’s something called a cortina.
WTH?!
A short, non-tango song — maybe Rock ’n’ Roll, maybe something classic — played to signal the end of a tanda. Traditionally everyone leaves the floor.
Then there’s the mirada and cabeceo.
A leader looks around the room. If they catch your eye and you return it, they give a small nod. If you’d like to accept, you nod back. If not, you simply look away.
All these rules. All this mystery.
And then… my very first dance.
The song was Poema.
I danced with Tony F. I’m 5’. He’s 6-something.
I was nervous and excited all at once.
He gently led me around the floor, making sure I felt safe. And I have to say… I felt special.
The tanda was beautiful. Not because I was a great dancer — far from it — but because he was truly dancing with me.
What began as my first rocky steps opened up a whole new world.
Keep it simple. Keep it connected.
Meg 🤍