Port Townsend
May 24-26, 2024
Our Event
This is a private, strictly invitational, role-balanced tango event for experienced milonguero-style dancers. The Encuentro takes place annually at the Elks Lodge, Port Townsend, WA over Memorial Day Weekend. We invite top national and international DJs who delight us with their exquisite selection of traditional tango music. Check out the lineup for 2024! Registered dancers can get updates and latest news about the encuentro by visiting our dedicated Facebook group!
Unless new COVID-19 health mandates are issued by Washington State and/or Jefferson County, there will be no vaccination requirements for the 2024 Encuentro Del Mar. Masks will remain optional. If not vaccinated, it is recommended that you test yourself frequently during the event and refrain from attending if ill.
Mónica Paz, maestra milonguera from Buenos Aires, will be offering workshops before the encuentro again in 2024! She'll hold her workshops at the Masonic Lodge, 1338 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, as well private sessions. For details and registration for her classes:
https://www.monicapaz.com/port-townsend/
Save your spot!
Photo by John Kraus
Our Town & Venue
Port Townsend
Port Townsend is a historic seaport renowned for its maritime history, working waterfront, and heritage buildings and homes. It is located on the Olympic Peninsula along the southern shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, in Washington State.
Transportation Tips
When making your travel arrangements, be sure to factor in the two-hour drive from SeaTac Airport. You may consider coordinating car-shares with fellow dancers. There's very limited taxi, Uber/Lyft service in Port Townsend.
There is also the more scenic and comparable in time ferry option from Seattle to Bainbridge Island or from Edmonds to Kingston, then drive to Port Townsend: Washington State Ferry Schedule information. Attendees are welcome to post on our dedicated Facebook group if they'd like to offer or request a ride, share a hotel room, inquire about lost and found items, etc.
The Port Townsend Elks Lodge
All five milongas will take place at the Elks Lodge, located at 555 Otto St. in Port Townsend, a five-minute drive from the waterfront town center, but not within walking distance from downtown.
The Elks Lodge is in the woods, has a very nice and comfortable wood dance floor, a wonderful dining hall, a large parking area, and a very inviting raised deck, where we'll enjoy our Meet and Greet Paella Dinner.
Meet and Greet Paella Dinner on the Deck
Our Paella House professionals will be preparing seafood and vegetable paellas from scratch and serving us all on Friday, May 24th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. before our Welcome Milonga. All attendees are invited to enjoy the all-organic, locally-sourced seafood and vegetarian paellas. No registration necessary, just show up hungry! Paella serving will close at 7:00 p.m. sharp.
The no-host bar at the Lodge will be open and available during our Meet and Greet and all evening milongas.
No open tabs, please. No outside liquor is permitted anywhere on the premises.
A varied selection of appetizer and dinner buffet items will a be provided throughout the weekend.
All food and drink must be consumed in the dining hall, not around the dance floor.
Please be advised that for safety reasons, minors and pets are not allowed at the Encuentro.
Uptown Port Townsend
Photo by Jeff Alford
Encuentro del Mar 2023 Photo Gallery
Paella Meet and Greet Dinner EDM 2023
Video by Loelle Lim
Weather and Map
The weather in the Pacific North West can be very, very unpredictable. The month of May is normally cool with a fairly good chance of rain. But it may also be warm and dry.
Come prepared for everything! Windows and deck doors will stay open during all milongas to ensure good ventilation and to prevent transmission of air-borne pathogens. Please check current Port Townsend weather.
For your walking pleasure, we've included a detailed Port Townsend walking map. More information about our town can be found here.
Schedule
Friday, May 24
Check-in 4-8 p.m.
Meet and Greet
Spanish Paella Dinner
6:00-7:00 p.m.
To watch the chefs in action,
please join us at 4:30!
Welcome Milonga
Michelle McRuiz (NM)
7:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Appetizer buffet, coffee, tea
No-host bar, no open tabs
Saturday, May 25
Matinee Milonga
Jae Youn (NC)
12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Appetizer buffet, coffee, tea
Milonga del Mar
Andrew Brown (WA)
7:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Dinner buffet, coffee, tea
No-host bar open, no open tabs
Special Celebration Dessert!
Sunday, May 26
Matinee Milonga
Kim Scol a (OH)
12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Appetizer buffet, coffee, tea
Farewell Milonga
Paul Akmajian (NM)
7:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Dinner buffet, coffee, tea
No-host bar open, no open tabs
Special Celebration Dessert!
Photo credit: Jeff Alford
Photo credit: John Kraus
Photo credit: Brenda Barceló
Photo credit: Jeff Alford
Photos by Jeff Alford, John Kraus, Ming Hu, and Brenda Barceló
Our Fabulous DJs! (Click & hold)
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Rest, Nourish, and Explore!
Accommodations
Book soon! Port Townsend is a small town and accommodations fill out fast. There are several hotels and inns in downtown Port Townsend. Please see some suggestions below. Other options may be found in nearby towns, such as Sequim and Port Angeles, and of course, there are several Airbnbs in the area. For requesting or sharing lodging, registered dancers may post in the Encuentro del Mar dedicated FaceBook group.
Eateries & Wineries
In and around Port Townsend you can find a wide array of great restaurants, wineries, breweries, pubs, and cafés, as well as wonderful coffee houses. Here's a partial list of some favorites.
Explore the Area
From farmers markets to historical state parks, museums, pristine islands, whale watching tours, art galleries, and spas, the Olympic Peninsula and Port Townsend have a lot to offer. Check these out!
About Us
I'm a fairly new transplant to the Pacific North West, after losing our Santa Cruz Mountains home in 2020 to the horrendous CZU Fire. Besides being a passionate milonguera, I'm a mom, an avid Pilates practitioner and instructor, a drawing portrait artist, a stand-up paddler, a devoted snorkeler, and a traveler. I've been dancing tango since 1998 and it has been a steady avenue of connection with my home country of Uruguay and my culture.
A retired worker's compensation attorney, Jeff is an incredibly supportive husband, co-conspirator, and 25/7 committed collaborator in the Encuentro del Mar organization and implementation. Though not a tango dancer, Jeff completely understands the importance of the appropriate setup for a successful encuentro. He has contributed the most amazing ideas and suggestions, which helped make the Encuentro del Mar the resounding success it has been.
Liz and Dave are verydedicated milongueros and wonderful friends. They were the first to welcome me with open arms into the Seattle tango community.
I'm a fairly new transplant to the Pacific North West, after losing our Santa Cruz Mountains home in 2020 to the horrendous CZU Fire. Besides being a passionate milonguera, I'm a mom, an avid Pilates practitioner and instructor, a drawing portrait artist, a stand-up paddler, a devoted snorkeler, and a traveler. I've been dancing tango since 1998 and it has been a steady avenue of connection with my home country of Uruguay and my culture.
Milonguero Código Refresher
We’re sure you’re familiar with the milonguero and encuentro etiquette, but here are a few reminders, just in case. First and foremost, we dance exclusively in close embrace to traditional tango music of the Golden Age, use only the mirada to request an invitation to dance or a cabeceo to extend an invitation. We also navigate the dance floor by following the ronda, and by being respectful and caring of others at all times. Remember, we’re not only dancing with our partner, we’re dancing with everyone else on the floor!
In an attempt to keep to the Río de la Plata (Argentina and Uruguay) milonga tradition, at the Encuentro del Mar leaders and followers will be seated on opposite sides of the dance floor, with a center area reserved for couples. Please keep the same seat throughout each milonga so dancers interested in dancing with you will be able to find you easily. And a few tips to keep in mind:
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Leaders entering the floor should make eye contact with the leader they wish to enter in front of.
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No high or large moves, please.
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Refrain from talking while dancing. Enjoy the embrace and savor the music instead.
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Maintain a safe distance from the couple in front of you and keep the ronda moving along.
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Stay in your lane for the whole tanda, no lane changes, please.