[Tango] Fw: [TSOM-Announce] Festival words of wisdom and etiquette

[Lois Donnay]

If you're heading to the Heartland Festival this weekend, here are some great words of
advice from Andres, who is a frequent festivalgoer here in the US. I would also add - about 
floorcraft, eye contact is really important for leaders.
Before you enter the floor or pass or do something else unexpected, catch the eyes of the
leaders around you. Conspire with each other to make the dance flow smoothly for everyone.

I will be at the festival classes, so if you have trouble or a question, come and ask me 
and we can work it out later. Don't forget your tango notebook!

Loisa
www.mndance.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andrea DuCane" <andrea at kettlebellfitness.com>
To: <tsom-announce at mntango.org>



> Hello Twin Cities Tango community,
>
> I would just like to take a few moments to say a few things about
> hosting and participating in national festivals.
>
> First, floor craft is of the utmost importance. Here are a few things to
> keep in mind: Dancing within the "lanes".
> No cutting across from outside to inside or vice versa. No "passing" the
> couple in front of
> you. If they've stopped, you stop, this is where your creativity as a
> dancer comes
> in. Little rock steps or small turns in place are good examples.
>
> If you want to enter the dance floor, best to pick a corner or at least
> wait till the
> coast is clear. Be respectful of the dancers around you.
>
> The floors will be more crowded. This is your chance to dance in close
> embrace!
> Please leave the big boleos, ganchos at home! Legs flying can and will
> lead to
> injury.
>
> Second and very important, please dance with as many new people as possible.
> Take a chance on someone new. That is how you grow as a dancer and we
> grow as a community. Follows, please accept dances from new leaders. And
> leaders... this is
> especially important.. please ask new follows to dance.
>
> I'd like to ask a special favor of the leaders within out community to
> please keep your
> eyes out for ladies who have been sitting a long time, one tanda is not
> too much to ask
> from you and it could make the entire festival for the follower.
>
> I hope we as a tango community can be welcoming and inviting to all
> those new
> and visiting dancers. Introduce yourself to new people, offer rides when
> necessary, you might meet someone form another city to visit on your
> next tango travels. Let's make this a "must do" festival, it starts with
> the
> openness and friendliness of the the tango community!
>
> Let's get ready for a great weekend, put on your best outfits and dance
> shoes.
> Take lots of classes and dance into the wee hours of the morning. Let's
> have some
> fun!
>
> Best wishes for great dancing and great fun!
>
> Andrea
(Here's her PS.)
There are a number of ways to increase your chance of getting asked to
dance.
   #1  Cabeceo: keep your eyes open and scanning the room trying to
catch the eye of a leader you want to dance with.
   #2  Be available.. look like you are ready and really want to dance.
   #3  Start conversations with leaders.. getting to know them will
increase the likelihood they'll ask you to dance.
   #4  Take classes and get to know leaders there, that is one of the
best ways to get dances at the milongas.

Second, to be honest most festivals have a gender imbalance.  Many are
closer to 2 to 1 follows to leaders.
I've only  been to one or two  festivals where the gender balance was
more equal, and one of those the organizers LIMITED the number of
follows who could come.
Unfortunately, it is a fact of social dance life.. it doesn't matter if
it's west coast swing, lindy, or salsa congresses.. it is the same for all.

It just means as  a follow you have to be "working" it,... keep your
eyes open, be available, talk to the leaders, get to know leaders from
the classes, dress nice (good hygiene) and of course the harder you work
on your own dancing and the better you get the more dances you'll likely
have.

Again, it may not be fair, but it's life.

I do hope this helps and I wish you all fantastic festival.

Andrea
PS below is a link from "To Tango" website on how to do the Cabeceo, enjoy!
http://www.totango.net/cabeceo.html