Join us at the Durham Armory this April for 8 milongas over 5 days of beautiful tandas, warm embraces, and delicious food at the Utopia Encuentro!
April 10-14, 2025
Venue: The Armory, 212 Foster St, Durham, North Carolina
Description
The Utopia Encuentro is a role-balanced event for tangueros that dance in close embrace throughout the tanda with their partner. A welcoming and safe environment will be maintained by adherence to the códigos of a milonga (see below). The DJ’s will craft tandas using traditional tango music primarily from the Golden Age (1935–1955) to keep you on the floor all night long. And to keep you energized through the weekend there will be appetizers, snacks, and wine served throughout the weekend.
Pre-registration is required – payment information will be sent when accepted into the event. Price: $250/person.
Pre-registration is now closed! Check back for Utopia Encuentro 2026!
Códigos (“codes”, Encuentro etiquette)
- Invitation to dance by cabeceo/mirada, only
- Respectful and safe navigation
- Entering the dance floor with consideration to those already dancing
- Maintaining the lanes of the ronda (avoid changing lanes)
- Creating a safe environment within the ronda
- No high boleos, hard-hitting ganchos, jumps, leg sweeps, leg extensions, etc.
- Close embrace and movements ideal for small spaces
- No teaching on the dance floor
- Clear the dance floor during the cortina
- Please refer to www.siempremilonguero.org for a comprehensive list (with explanations) of the códigos
Pre-requisites
- Ability to stay connected to partner throughout the dance in a comfortable close embrace
- Mastery of own axis and ability to accurately track partner’s axis – no pulling off axis
- Focus on musical expression via compact dance figures rather than flashy moves
- Mastery of floor navigation in order to create a safe dance environment and contribute to the constant and fluid movement of the ronda
- Ease with all general tango repertoire in both parallel and cross systems
- Respect, experience, and working knowledge of the códigos (above)
Milonga Schedule
| Thursday Evening | 8pm-12am | DJ Mitch |
| Friday Afternoon | 12pm-4pm | DJ Susana |
| Friday Evening | 8pm-12am | DJ Tincho |
| Saturday Afternoon | 12pm-4pm | DJ Yulia |
| Saturday Evening | 8pm-12am | DJ Euan |
| Sunday Afternoon | 12pm-4pm | DJ Daniel |
| Sunday Evening | 8pm-12am | DJ Kim |
| Monday Afternoon | 11am-3pm | DJ Jae Youn |
Learn more about our DJs in their Bios
Local Accommodations
A group rate is available at the Durham Marriott City Center directly across the street from the encuentro venue. In addition, three hotels Unscripted Durham, 21c Durham, and The Durham Hotel are all within two walkable blocks of the venue.
These four hotels are in the heart of downtown Durham. Many more options may be found on-line. Local hotels can fill quickly; we encourage tangueros to book early.
Travel
Our local airport is Raleigh-Durham International (RDU). It’s 16 miles from downtown Durham, about a half-hour by taxi/lyft/uber (~$30-50). If you are staying within walking distance from the venue, then you will not need a car – delicious food and cocktails are within easy walking distance.
The Durham Amtrak station is only 3 blocks away from dance venue and is another affordable option.
Cancelation Policy
Your admission is non-transferable. If you cancel before Feb 28, 2025, you will receive a full refund. If you registered as a couple, both registrations will be canceled.
Food and Drinks
- Dashi – Ramen
- M Kokko – Korean
- Rue Cler – French
- Viceroy – Indian
- Cheeni – Indian
- Neomonde – Mediterranean
- Durham Food Hall
- Ninth Street Bakery
- Toast – Italian
- The Parlour – Ice Cream
- PRESS Coffee Crêpes Cocktails
- Alley Twenty Six – Cocktails
- Velvet Hippo – Bar
- West End Wine Bar
You can find a map of all of the above information here: Utopia Encuentro Map
Announcements and Posts
If you are not on facebook or are having trouble receiving the email announcements, please view our email summaries here: Announcements