Why This Blog ???

After seeing the typical listings for milongas (world-wide), I decided to publish this blog with information that is usually accessible only by going to various sources..

A very useful addition to this blog is the map at the beginning of each days posting with the location in the Los Angeles area of all the milongas on that day of the week..

This blog will also contain photos and a detailed description of all (hopefully) of the Argentine Tango Milongas in Los Angeles &  surrounding area... It is a "work in progress" and I will attempt to keep it up to date. I will also try to include some videos.

If I can't attend the milonga personally, I will rely solely on the organizer for the details and photos... but, the "My Impressions" section, will be just that... my own experiences, and possibly some comments (that I have heard more than once or twice) from other attendees of that particular milonga . Comments (to the blog) are welcome.. but please no extended conversations in this blog.. Use my email for that... For any corrections, please use my email also... barskyart@netscape.net

For a complete listing of all of the milongas, practicas, classes and special events in Southern California:
Los Angeles and surrounding area: http://www.tangoinla.com/
San Diego and surrounding area go to: http://www.tangosandiego.com/
Santa Barbara and surrounding area go to: tangomilonga.biz, or http://www.tangosb.com/
Ojai area, email: sbauer@west.net

The day by day postings will be in chronological order.. starting with Friday. Although almost all of the milongas are listed.. not all have the details and photos, but it is published.. and you can view the information by scrolling down to the appropriate day.. or milonga. Please email me if are aware of a milonga not shown here..

At the end of these milonga listings are four postings of very useful advice and information about certain practices and traditions at milongas in almost any milonga in the world (Buenos Aires is different especially in asking for a dance). These are titled:
1. What is dance floor etiquette?
2. How do I ask for a dance ?
3. How do I decline an invitation?
4. How do I end a dance?
They are reprinted here with permission by Jay Rabe, the webmaster of the Portland Tango website. Click HERE to visit that informative website about their very active Tango community.

Also at the end of these milonga listings is a posting titled "General Comments Regarding LA Dancers".. my opinions.. If you want to take out a few minutes. please read it.. I welcome your comments..

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FRIDAY MILONGAS

Click on map to enlarge it to see locations of
Friday Milongas, but for more detailed information and actual addresses, scroll down in this blog..

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(LA4) Milonga Los Amigos 4th Friday of Month, Alhambra

Milonga Los Amigos

Milonga Los Amigos At The Granada
Fourth Friday of every month 9:30 pm - 2 am
The Granada
17 S. First St.   click here for map
Alhambra, CA 91801
$10 per person; full bar and food service

• For more info call Linda at (323) 653-5883
• email her at lindav@apurotango.com, or see her A Puro Tango

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(RC) Rose City Milonga, Every Friday, Pasadena

8:30-9:15pm - Mixed Levels Class with Sandor & Parissa
9:15pm-until it's over... 

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Fees
$15 class
$20 class + milonga
$10 milonga

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Location
Rose City Ballroom Dance Studio
Paseo Colorado
(Street Level in the interior Paseo Colorado, close to Macy's)
280 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101

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(MB) Michael's Bailonga, Every Friday, Westwood

plenty of seating

SCHEDULE: Every Friday

HOURS: 9:30 to 1 am, (beg class: 8 to 8:45, intermed class: 8:45 to 9:30)
GEN'L LOCATION: West Los Angeles, south of Westwood (UCLA)
MUSIC: DJ.. Michael and guest DJ's
COST: $ 10, student $8, milonga and class $15
ORGANIZER/HOST(S): Michael Espinoza
VENUE: L.A. Dance Experience
ADDRESS: 1941 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles 90025. At rear of parking lot. MAP
Middle of second block south of Santa Monica Blvd
PARKING: In adjacent parking lot and street.
FLOOR: very large nice floor.
FOOD: Selection of snacks, fruit and soft drinks.
AVG. ATTENDANCE (from organizer): 75 to 100
CONTACT: Michael Espinoza, 818-996-1228, email: michael@tangoelegant.com
ADD'L DETAILS:

MY IMPRESSIONS: Music (and quality of milonga) varies by DJ.. Very nice danceable floor.. Wide range of dancers, from beg to adv...

Food table

Michael,
Organizer and DJ

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(CT) Cal-Tech All Nighter, One Friday per Month, Pasadena

  

Sometimes an "all nighter"

Click here for Cal Tech Calendar

Usually nice spread of snacks and Dessert

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(MQ) Milonga Querida, First Friday of the month, Alhambra

How often: First Friday of Month

Place:
The Granada
17 S. First Street    click here for map
Alhambra, CA

Host/Organizer: VARO/Yuliana

Time: 8:30-9:30pm Class
9:30-2 Milonga

DJ: Always invired guest DJ

Price: $10 milonga
$15 milonga and class
(occasional guest teachers and class is extra $)

Full service bar and restaurant food.

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(SR) Sonata Room, Second Friday of the Month (see exception) ARCADIA

 The Sonata Room Milonga.. Every second Friday, except when the Cal-Tech milonga is moved to the second Friday.. If that occurs, the Sonata Room Milonga is moved to the third Friday.

 

çlick here for map



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SATURDAY MILONGAS

Click on map to enlarge it to see locations of
Saturday Milongas, but for more detailed information and actual addresses, scroll down in this blog..

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(EE) El Encuentro, Every Saturday, Sherman Oaks

Lots of seating

SCHEDULE: Every Saturday
HOURS: 9:30 pm to "until the candlelights go out" (about 2:45am).
GEN'L LOCATION: Sherman Oaks
MUSIC: DJ: Angel/Julie/Juan Carlos + guest DJ's
COST: $ 12 before 10 pm... $15 after 10 pm
HOST(S): Angel, Julie
VENUE: The Tango Room Dance Center
ADDRESS: 4346 Woodman Ave. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. (MAP)
PARKING: Adequate free parking in adjacent 3 lots or street.
FOOD: Nice variety of fresh fruits, veggies, cheese, crackers, etc, plus soft drinks (included)
FLOOR: Nice medium size floor
AVG. ATTENDANCE (from organizer): 90
CONTACT:  (818) 981-6500 (818) 997-9419 (818) 606-5895


MY IMPRESSIONS:
Been to this milonga many times. A pretty and nicely-decorated venue*.. Many Saturdays it's "the only game in town" Many, many "regulars" attend. Up there with the milongas that have the highest percentage of advanced dancers. DJ's vary, but usually Angel, Julie or Juan Carlos... I like the music (most seem to). I'd say it has the best spread of snack foods of any milonga in LA...

Like many milongas, some first-time attendees, and dancers from out-of -town say that "the regulars" are not friendly, tough to get dances". Actually, I see many "regulars" asking new attendees to dance.. ( I know I do). I think, like in many milongas, dancers needs to establish themselves. I see Angel and some men asking "sitting" women to dance.

*Interesting fact: It's the only venue in LA, leased (the whole week) by Milonga organizers, and has dance-related activities all week... That is probably why it is so nicely decorated. (a woman's touch doesn't hurt) . After all is said and done.... This milonga is still going strong... started in 1999.. and the organizers are very active in supporting and promoting Argentine Tango with other important events locally and in other cities... 

Last dancers at 3 am

sometimes later!

Hosts/Organizers:
Angel, Julie

Large spread of fruits, veggies, cheeses, etc.. and beverages.


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(CS) Con Sabor a Tango, 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month, Pasadena

Con Sabor a Tango Milonga & Class
First and Third Saturdays of the month
Join us for authentic Argentine Tango taught by professional Argentinian teachers, Claudio Otero and Makela Brizuela. Enjoy a night of passion as you travel back to Buenos Aires...
Location : 1368 North Lake Ave Pasadena, CA 91104 Contact : Rosie (818) 968-2500
Hours: Class 8:00pm-9:00pm Milonga 9:00pm-2:00am Prices: Class only $10.00 Milonga only $10.00 Class & Milonga $15.00 Students with ID only $5.00 **********************************************************************************

(QF) Westwood Saturday Night Milonga, First Saturday, Westwood

Westwood Saturday Night Milonga

monthly, first Saturday

L.A. Dance Experience
1941 Westwood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA
 

Contact: Yolanda Rossi 818.244.2136

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(LA2) Milonga Los Amigos, Second Saturday, Pasadena

SCHEDULE: Second Saturday of each month
Milonga Los Amigos in Pasadena
Second Saturday of every month, 8:30 pm - 1:30 am
Fred Astaire Dance Center
1368 N. Lake Ave.  click here for map
Pasadena, CA 91104
$12 per person; $10 full-time students and that month's birthdays
includes snacks & drinks

CONTACT: For information call Linda at (323) 653-5883 or see the website at
www.apurotango.com

MY IMPRESSIONS:  large well-lit, spacious studio.. nice music.. My experience was that there was a high percentage of beginners and intermediate dancers.. leaders and followers.. Linda has large classes and attracts all these student to her milongas. BUT, with such a large attendance, there seemed to be quite a few advanced dancers.... Music very good.. Tandas and Cortinas..
and.. . big crowd !!



Linda Valentino,
Organizer, Host,
DJ, Teacher.

comfortable seating

Very nice spread of food and drinks

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(OV) Oxygen Verdemar, 2nd Saturday of the month, Mar Vista

Held at Oxygen Tango, Mar Vista (West LA near Culver City)

•  112958 Washington Blvd  90066 (Click address for map & directions.)
• CLASS: 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
• DANCE: 9:30 pm-7:30 am
• Donates $1 to The Nature Conservancy's Plant A Billion Project for each dancer
• For more info http://tangomarvista.org/milonga.html

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(ER) El Rincón, Last Saturday of Month, Downey

 

New Day! New Format! Dance to your favorite classic tangos. La Milonga El Rincón is the place to be on the LAST SATURDAY of the month every month except DECEMBER. Join us for an authentic taste of a Buenos Aires-style Milonga. 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. Milonga admission $12 ($7 students with ID) (Except for announced special events where pricing may be different.)

Location : Downey Elks Lodge, 11233 Woodruff Ave, Downey, CA 90241 Contact : John 714-206-2220 or Betty 949-510-8919

We are dark December 2011. Special events may be priced differently.

Organizers Betty & John

DJ: John Tice

Food

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(OM3) Oxygen Milonga, 3rd Saturday of month, Mar Vista

Third Saturday of the month.. in MAR VISTA.. near Culver City

•  112958 Washington Blvd (Click address for map & directions.)
• CLASS: 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
• DANCE: 9:30 pm-7:30 am
• Donates $1 to The Nature Conservancy's Plant A Billion Project for each dancer
• For more info http://tangomarvista.org/milonga.html

Personal Comments: After hearing from a number of people about how good this new milonga
was... I finally went myself...  Crowd was a bit younger on average than most milongas, but... In all my experiences at milongas in LA ..I would say that there were more really wonderful dancers there than any other milonga I've been to (in LA)... and the great music just made it better !!






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(MP) Milonga Porteña, every 4th Saturday, San Pedro

Milonga Porteña, every Fourth Saturday, 9pm-1:30am, 

Gallery 381, 

381 W 6th Street

San Pedro, CA; 90731 

  Click here for map

 hosted by Silvia and Annie of Tango San Pedro, music by DJ 
Emmet; $12 cover 

Any questions, contact:

SILVIA ASKENAZI

www.tangosanpedro.com

(310) 902-8503

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SUNDAY MILONGAS

Click on map to enlarge it to see locations of
Sunday Milongas, but for more detailed information and actual addresses, scroll down in this blog..

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(M3) (Monthly Mobile Milonga), One Sunday a month (Varies) , Various Residences.

Cafe Laurent

Residences










SCHEDULE: Sundays (as announced)
HOURS: as announced
GEN'L LOCATION: Various locations
MUSIC: DJ: Emmet usually
COST: Usually free
HOST(S): Emmet + home occupant
VENUE: Various homes
ADDRESS: look for announcements
FOOD: Varies
FLOOR: Usually in home (Living room, Patio ?, sometimes other places.. restaurants, dance studios, schools. (see photos above)
AVG. ATTENDANCE (from organizer):
CONTACT: esoconlon@yahoo.com (emmet)

My Impressions: These milongas are always fun!! You have to be flexible !! some of these milongas are far away..some close ... Emmet's idea (and a good one!) is to provide a milonga in many different locations .. accessible to lots of dancers.... But, you know, us dancers will go anywheres to dance !!..

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(NT) Noche de Tango, Every Sunday, Burbank

SCHEDULE: Every Sunday
HOURS: 7:30 to 12
GEN'L LOCATION: Burbank
MUSIC: DJ: Juan Carlos
COST: $ 10
HOST(S): Argentine Association of Los Angeles (AALA)
VENUE: Argentine Association of Los Angeles
ADDRESS: 2100 Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank , CA 91504 (MAP)
PARKING: Street

FOOD: Nice spread from the AALA kitchen

FLOOR: very nice floor medium/large size
AVG. ATTENDANCE (from organizer):
CONTACT: 818.567.0901 or 818.567.4108

Organizers, cooks, bartenders, etc

Lalo, Ricardo, Terecita, Mariela and Tito.

Nice spread from the AALA kitchen
many hot items fresh from the kitchen

DJ  Juan Carlos

 

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(MD) Milonga Dulce, 2nd Sunday of Month, Glendale

     No Performances. No classes. Just DANCE!

New Milonga hosted by Laura Fremont 
in her newly refurbished dance studio

For those of you with a QR scanner

Pacific Studio for Dance

1123 N. Pacific Ave.    click here for map

Glendale, CA  91202

Who:               Laura Fremont’s Milonga Dulce

What:              Within a moment.

An intimate environment.

A friendly evening.

All about dancing and sharing dance.

When:              2^nd Sunday of Month

                        7:00-11:00pm

                        September 11, 2011

                        October 9, 2011

November 13, 2011

                        December 11, 2011

Rotating DJ     The list is from both tried-n-true experts, and debuts of

up-n-coming greats.

            Dance Floor    1000 square feet of smooth, gliding surface. Shape of the room

                                    enhances proper floor traffic.

Food                Baked goods are hand made by Mary Caryl. There is a selection of

Liqueurs and an open Espresso Bar at 8:30. Finally, there is a

pleasant selection of wines. Water for the thirsty (of course).

Looks very delicious !!

Parking:           Street parking throughout a safe neighborhood. Some parking

behind the Fidelity and Bakery buildings after 8:30pm.

      

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(OF) Oxygen Fresh Outdoors, First Sunday of the month, Santa Monica

At the Santa Monica 3rd Street Mall.. between Wilshire and Arizona. 6 to 9 pm

Nice outdoors milonga. a bit tough dancing on cement.. but lots of fun..with the bystanders looking on and enjoying the dancing.

Oxygen Outdoors is free our open-air Tango occurrence. Each month, on the first Sunday, Oxygen dancers and friends gather on Third Street Promenade to take part in a sweet ritual, one of the longest-running Tango traditions in LA. Our Outoors DJs play rock solid traditional music that more than holds its own -- it rivets the mind amidst the cacaphony of the promenade. Dance sneakers or danceable street shoes recommended; leave the stillettos at home for this one. FREE and open to all !

Contact : connect@oxygentango.com *********************************************************************************

(EG) Milonga El Gringo, Last Sunday of the month, Mar Vista

Organizer:	Michael McCarrell
	Milonga El Gringo - Sunday Milonga of Alternative Tango Music By Your Side Productions & Dance Studio 12613 Washington Blvd. Los Angeles, CA (West Culver City) 90066   Click here for map The LAST Sunday of the month - August 28th, 8-11pm All Levels Class from 7-8 pm with Eric Finke ... Beautiful Contemporary Tango Arrangements Danceable and Inspiring Golden Age Traditional Tango music Sensual, seductive, intoxicating and beautiful music Fabulous Dance Floor Buffet Table Cost: $17 with Class, $12 - Milonga only If you love modern tango music, this is your event. See you there! Michael & Sara *************************************************************************

(UC) UCLA Milonga, Occassional One Sunday a month, Westwood

SCHEDULE: Sundays (as announced)
HOURS: 7 pm to midnite: milonga , 6-7 pm: beginner and intermediate lessons
GEN'L LOCATION: Westwood
MUSIC: DJ.various Night of visit.. Varo & Valadimir
COST: Suggested Donation: $2 UCLA Student, $5 other student / UCLA affiliated, $7 non-UCLA (no charge for lesson)
HOST(S): Tango Club at UCLA
VENUE: UCLA Kerckhoff Grand Salon
ADDRESS: For more information on location and parking see:
http://www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/tangoclub/
FOOD: Nice selection of veggies/dips/cookies/ soft drinks..
FLOOR: Very nice wood floor
AVG. ATTENDANCE (from organizer):
CONTACT: Brian: bn@redlightfusion.com


MY IMPRESSIONS: Beautiful large space and nice wooden floor. These university halls (Cal-Tech also) are really beautiful..and especially this one.. wood paneled walls, beautiful chandeliers, ample seating.. Variety of dancers .. from beginners to advanced dancers... Early, mainly UCLA students.. beginners/intermediate.. later in evening, other dancers show up from the LA Tango community.. intermed/advanced..

Organizers:
Stephen, Emily, Hector, Lori, Brian, Amy

Varo & Vladimir

large selection of veggies/drinks

 

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