Milongas in the Park
Roberto González
Compared to Buenos Aires, the number of milongas that exists in Mexico City is still small.With the influx of
people from around the world, these social gatherings in the heart of the Mexican capital are growing. While
Buenos Aires may have twenty milongas in a single day, Mexico City has at most, ten events.
On one side of Lindbergh Theatre, amidst colums that
define this iconic venue and the Condesa neighbonrhood of Mexico City, a group of people gathered. Away
from children playing scabs in the forecourt, the adults
follow the steps that were shown them their instructors.
The proportion of milongas which are held in parks,
with respect to those made in ballrooms of Mexico
City, is greater than that in Buenos Aires. According
to Miguel Garcia, Cultural Promotion Coordinator
for the Mexican Tango Association
The sounds leaving a small amplifier are nearly lost in
the immensity of the space. Movements seem simple
to those who teach, but not to the pupils who go
every Sunday to Parque Mexico. This is only one
of the many public places in the capital where locals
tango ais alive.
The milongueros seem to develop a detector of
space for milonga; see a smooth floor and almost immediately comes to mind that this place
is good for milonga.
About seventeen years ago when this landmark
milonga began in Mexico City, it was not onlythe
first milonga in the capital but first in the country.
The parks have since occupied a special place in the
hearts of Mexican tango dancers.
There are about eight milongas located in no-charge,
outdoor venues surrounded by extensive green areas. This is very unique, when compared to other
world cities. There are milongas at Deer Park, Park
Xola-Moderna, Parque Mexico, Naples Park, Rose
Garden, Central Alameda, Alameda and Santa Maria
la Ribera Sur Alameda.
In Mexico City there is almost an equal number of
milongas held in parks, as are held indoors. Although
the difference may be subtle, sdancing in parks is not the
same as dancing in other public places. In Buenos Aires,
for example, dancing at the Plaza Dorrego is quite different surrounded by large green areas, such as is the
case of the River Plate milongas, or those at the Glorieta de Belgrano of Parque de los Patricios — a small
kiosk located in the park of the Barrancas of Belgrano
neighborhood.
—3—
To Subscribe, Click here