Encuentros

Encuentros in North America differ from what you may have heard or experienced of encuentros in Europe. In North America, encuentros have been small, cozy tango retreats hosted by rotating communities; attended by those communities and our larger network of dancers.

Encuentros can offer the opportunity to learn from highly respected milonguero maestros from Argentina and around the world, or can just be a place for like-minded people to gather and dance. Encuentros are a place for committed milongueros to learn from and dance with each other in venues that encourage and support the códigos with an atmosphere like traditional Buenos Aires milongas. We also encourage having at least one community meal during an encuentro, as we have found these to be an excellent way to grow bonds between communities.

Music at encuentro milongas will be exclusively traditional tango, almost entirely from the Golden Era. Seating at encuentro milongas will conform, as much as possible, to the seating arrangements at traditional Buenos Aires milongas, and participants at encuentro milongas are expected to be familiar with and conform to the códigos, including use of the cabeceo to ask for and accept dances. In this way we gather to dance together and support our hosting communities in outreach and education.

See the Latest News page for the current list of encuentros in North America.

Please be aware that North American encuentros have become very popular. Most of these encuentros are relatively small, have limited registration, and strive to be role-balanced. Subscribe to the email lists, and visit the websites of the events you are interested in to receive first-hand information about registration dates and other details. Most encuentros are “by invitation.” Let an organizer know you are interested in attending their encuentro. The organizer will notify you on whether you have been invited, or placed on a waiting list. Events may have twice as many applicants as available spaces, and organizers consider diverse factors when making their decisions.