[TANGO-L] A change in music format in the milongas of BsAs

[Janis Kenyon <jantango @FEEDBACK.NET.AR>]

The current topic of conversation is last week's closing of Salon Nuevo
Argentino on Bme. Mitre and Callao.  The DJ played a cumbia for the cortina
between tandas, and the police shut the place down.  The city government
recently passed a new law which prohibits any music other than tango,
milonga or vals to be played in the milongas since they now have their own
classification.  Most dancers feel this is outrageous since salsa, cumbia,
and jazz have been played in the milongas and confiterias bailables since
the 1940s.  It's interesting to note that at last night's concert during the
city's annual tango festival, the Portena Jazz Band was on the program at El
Dorrego playing the big band standards.  I estimate there was an audience of
4,000 for the Baile de Carnaval which lasted 3-1/2 hours.

Dancers are waiting to hear what Dr. Anibal Ibarra will think of next.  He's
the equivalent of mayor in Buenos Aires.  At least the city has finally
realized that the tango festival deserves its own venue.  El Dorrego is a
massive space in Palermo Hollywood which can handle the enormous crowds that
turn out.  If you are in BsAs, I recommend going to see the exhibitions,
movies, and concerts scheduled there through Sunday.  You will find vendors
selling everything tango--books, CDs, calendars, shoes, clothes, jewelry and
even a new line of bed linens with a BsAs design.