Exclusion seems to be a common theme here when we talk about tango. I am excluded from Chester and by association also from Shrewsbury. I am by no means alone in this apparently; there is a long list of those who are no longer welcome. Only the risk of embarrassment prevents me naming them, but you can gather who they are by the tone of their blogs or by the way they are keen not to talk of certain teachers.
In some ways this exclusion is no bad thing, many of the excludees have set up their own tango scenes in various places around the midshires and N.Wales, myself included.
We have become, in our own way a mutually supportive group, welcoming each other to our respective venues and creating many new and exciting places to tango.
The point is though that many of these would in time have set themselves up anyway and just as we share our pupils/customers so we would have shared with the group we are now excluded from.
Interestingly I have recently come across a new group, those who although are not excluded they are not included either. While Viv and I can go to any venue and it does not matter how cliquey it is, we still have each other to dance with. Singles, on the other hand, are reliant on being accepted or they will never dance.
These singles are on the verge of quitting tango altogether as they find it difficult to get dance partners and are sometimes even ridiculed. Come on, we have all been beginners at some point, and even the best will never improve, if they are not given the chance to practice.
I remember myself at the first Amsterdam festival getting bullied and ridiculed by “better” dancers. Now after so many years of experience I have learned that this attitude achieves nothing.
If you can do nothing but walk, then walk to the music, only the odd ocho, well just fit them in when you can. My only criteria is that you enjoy the music and are kind to my beginners.
We all have to start somewhere, the best dancers are the ones who can help, and the beginners will have the most room to improve.
So if you feel left out or bullied or even just lacking in confidence, then come along to one of our Gresford practicas and feel included. We may never be Confiteria Ideal or produce a Tango Fire, but what we promise is friendship inclusion and a good time.