There are just a few hours to go until Septonathon 2018 starts and, as usual, we’re starting to get excited and a little bit nervous.

We’ve been running this type of events for many years; they last 3 or 4 days, with guest DJs and a big crowd of dancers coming from all across the UK and beyond. But it still feels like the first time, there are loads of little details that have to be planned and organised, and we still worry that everything’s going to be OK.

We’ve already stocked up on cups, and new coffee machines. Right now I’m checking how to programme the new LED lights, and checking the spare (yes, spare) rope lights. Tomorrow is a very busy day; buying the flowers to decorate the tables, then loading up the car and heading off to Old Windsor to do the first phase of the set-up. This’ll give Sarah some time & space to get busy making the dozens of cakes that we serve throughout the weekend. Later we’ll be at the shops again, stocking up on catering essentials and loo rolls. Yep, it’s a glamorous life!

But the best part is looking forward to seeing all our friends over the weekend. Some really great people regularly travel huge distances to support our Milongas, and we’ll spend the time smiling and laughing with them, in between dances.

YIKES!

I just looked at the Calendar, and realised that ‘Septonathon’ is only 7 weeks away.

Ok, no need to panic, but perhaps it’s time to get the DJ squad sorted out and announced? Don’t worry; it’s nearly in place and the final piece of the jigsaw looks like it’s falling into place nicely.  We’ll have a mix of regular favourites, new faces, and an international element too, with a bit of luck.

I’m sure it’ll all be fine, but until then we’ll do our level best to keep everything under control.

Lately there’s been some changes to a number of regular Milongas around.

The long-running weekly Milonga ‘Negracha’ in London has been forced to leave their venue and still hasn’t found a replacement venue. Calesita closed last year, and a monthly Milonga in Guildford is now closing because the organisers are moving away. Recently another long-running milonga in the South – Menuda – closed also.

At the same time, it’s years since a successful regular milonga was started in the South East. The milonga calendar locally looks pretty much the same as it did 5 years ago.

So, what’s going on?  Why aren’t there new Milongas being established and thriving?  Why are the choices for dancers getting fewer?