Re: [TANGO-L] NA-W: Admission prices

[Carlos Rojas <crojas @HACIENDACDC.ORG>]

I went to El Encuentro in LA in August of last year, and I have to agree
that their food has been the best I ever seen in a milonga.

I had a great time, lots of good dancers and a very friendly community.
(also true of other milongas that I went in LA)

Abrazos

Carlos Rojas
Portland, OR

-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango
[mailto:TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of JFPaloma @AOL.COM
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 2:05 PM
To: TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: [TANGO-L] NA-W: Admission prices

Here in L.A. on Saturday nights at El Encuentro we offer much more than
"light snacks" for the $14 admission.  We prepare a beautiful buffet
table (with
flowers and candles) and platters of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, an
assortment
of crackers and chips, 3 or 4 kinds of dips, olives, nuts.  Sometimes we
put
out chicken wings or taquitos or mini-quiches.  For those with a sweet
tooth we
have a special area with a variety of cookies, cakes, candies.  We
provide
plenty of juice, soft drinks, wine and beer.  There is no limit to how
much one
can eat or drink (although there have been times when we wanted to
politely
inform some people that the food was meant for everyone and not meant to
be a
replacement for dinner).  We set up the dance area with lovely table
cloths and
candles and romantic lighting.  Since our milonga is on a Saturday
night, we
make every effort to make our guests feel that it is a special night
out.   And
yet, it never ceases to amaze us that occasionally there are those who
are
outraged that we charge $14.  Even though our rent had been increased
three
times in the years we have had El Encuentro, we never passed the
increase onto our
guests but finally this last February when the rent was increased again,
we
needed help so we went from $12 to $14.  Since I'm the one at the door,
when
people complain I always ask them (with a smile) where else can they go
in Los
Angeles to dance until 2 or 3 am and eat and drink to their hearts
content for
that price?   After a moment's thought, they usually pay the admission
with a
smile in return.
Our hats are off to everyone who organizes a milonga, no matter what the
charge, no matter how big or small, because we know how much work it is
and what a
tremendous commitment it is of time and effort.

El Encuentro
4633 Van Nuys Blvd,
Sherman Oaks, CA
(818) 997-9419 or (818) 758-9167