Taking stock

As the end of 2011 draws near, time to take stock yet again of tango happenings here in Singapore.

In 2011, there have been at least four major events hosting internationally well-known Argentinian maestros every 2-3 months or so, and other visiting teachers in-between. While leading to many tired legs and bodies, they sure generated quite a bit of excitement in the local tango community. At the same time, the number of weekly milongas stands as of now at 6 – which I have to admit is surprisingly high – with steady attendance for all milongas except 1. Seemingly there are also more dancers but I suspect at least half of this is due to a) influx of expats, 2) Singaporeans returning from overseas stays, 3) more people travelling to festivals outside of Singapore, rather than locally trained dancers. Fortunately the tango scene remains relatively “intimate” (and not too large) in that I am still able to name each person at the milongas I frequent.

After having been involved in organising tango activities (more heavily and larger scale in the last 5) in Singapore for the past 9 years, well it is perhaps time to look out for new “organisational” talents to pass the baton too?!