Encuentro Milonguero Rules
- Counter-Clockwise Movement:
The ronda (dance circle) moves in a
counter-clockwise direction around the dance floor.
- Constant Speed:
Maintain a constant, smooth speed to avoid
disrupting other dancers and to allow for a natural flow.
- Maintain Distance:
Leaders are responsible for keeping the
correct distance between their couple and the couples in front and behind them.
- No Backwards Steps:
Do not move backward in the ronda, and never try to pass or overtake other dancers. Avoid large, invasive movements like high boleos, sweeping planeos and deep sacadas that can injure or obstruct other dancers.
- Enter and Exit Carefully:
Enter and exit the dance floor from the
corners, always asking permission from the couple whose path you are crossing.
- Empty Floor During Cortinas:
The dance floor must be completely clear
during the cortinas.
Invitation and Acceptance (Cabeceo)
Invitations to dance are made through the
cabeceo, a combination of eye contact (mirada) and a slight nod of the head.
- Mutual Agency:
Both leaders and followers use the cabeceo
to invite and decline, giving both partners agency in the process.
- Polite Declining:
If you do not wish to dance, you can
simply avert your gaze to decline the invitation politely.
- One Tanda Rule: Dance with the same partner
for only one tanda (a set of songs) per milonga. This encourages participation and allows more people
to dance.
- Respectful Conversation: Talking between
songs is fine, but never while dancing.
- Escort Partners: After a dance, the leader
is obligated to escort the follower back to their seat.
- Closed Embrace:
Encuentro milongueros are typically for
dancers who prefer the close embrace style of tango.
- Respectful Connection:
The goal is to foster a magical and
harmonious dance experience, with respect for the music, the dance floor
conditions, and fellow dancers.