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Dancing the Tango in Buenos Aires

To some people, the combination of Buenos Aires Argentina AND Tango is a must.

I personally know more then a few that have packed their suitcases, their dancing shoes, and a bunch of energy bars, and moved to Buenos Aires – the Capital of Tango, for a month, 2 month, and sometimes 6 month only to dance, dance, dance.

I envy those people. Being a "klutz" isn't easy, but it has its benefits (I rarely do dishes, for example, as my roommates are terrified of the results).

I was always amazed by the skills of the "big boys", watching them from my comfortable sit, sipping some red Mendoza made wine, as they maneuver so elegantly on the dance floor.

A good Tango dancer has the moving skills of a panther, he moves slowly when needed, dramatizing each and every move. He controls each muscle in his body, and through his free yet mastered movement, one can see an eruption of emotion – the tension, the joy, the determination.

A Master Tango Dancer has all that as well, but he has something else, an edge.

When watching a couple of Tango dancing Masters, you get the feeling this couple was born together, has lived together, and has been dancing since day one. One could easily be hypnotized by their graceful movement, as it changes rapidly, resembling on one hand a smooth swimming stroke of a dolphin, while on the other hand, a rapid swirl of a shark attack, and back again, all so natural and with ease.

Learning tango in Buenos Aires is a classic activity, and many travelers get captivated by the dancing bug. After taking 1 tango lesson, or a 1 week tango class, many get hooked, and cannot stop dancing. A fair warning, if you have a short vacation, you might end up prolonging.

There are many Tango schools and Tango halls in the city, and you can ask the reception desk of your hostel or hotel to point out some for you.

The hotels will usually send you to a very much commercialized tango hall that gives lessons to us gringos. It's enough for the beginning, but you will usually laugh and stumble more then learn how to dance. It is great fun, but if you wish to take a real curse, you should aim for local schools, that have a few weeks' programs.

I would even recommend private lessons, to those of you who really want to get the hang of it. Buenos Aires is the home of numerous teachers for all levels, and getting a private lesson one-on-one will not only improve your skills, but will usually give you an entire new experience of meeting a local dancer, feeling the Buenos Aires vibe, and getting some insider tips for the city.

Dancing halls, where you can see the locals dance (and join them, if you dare), are scattered all over the city. How ever, it is very hard for a tourist to find a "no gringo" Tango dance hall. Most likely, you will find yourselves dancing in a "gringo dance hall", with a few locals and mostly tourists. There is nothing wrong with that, but there is something very charming and exciting, to find yourselves in a "Local only" joint. The Porteños (residents of Buenos Aires) are usually warm and welcoming, and entering a "local only" dance hall will not resemble entering some Bikers only bar in Midwest US. Yes, you will feel the local pride hovering around the room, saying "look, and learn! This is how an argentine dances", but it will not feel arrogant or hostile. On the contrary, you will probably end up stepping on some friendly local toe, as they drag you to the dance floor, to show you how it's done.

Written by Ido M. Inbar

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