Argentine tango is often compared to a conversation — and for good reason.
While tango doesn’t necessarily use any verbal language, many of its aspects and features point to a constant state of interaction.
The dance becomes the medium of exchange, and the steps represent a dialogue not only between two dancers but also between individuals and their environment.
Read MoreIf you've ever listened to Argentine tango, then you have Astor Piazzolla to thank.
He was a legendary tango composer and musician who changed the course of tango music for life.
His unique style — Tango Nuevo — introduced new elements into the genre, such as jazz and classical music. His compositions are some of the most well-known in the world and continue to be popular to this day.
Read MoreAstor Piazzolla is one of the most famous tango composers of all time, but many people still don't know who he is or why his music is so special.
To the innocent bystander, watching two people dance the Argentine tango almost feels like watching a love story unfold.
There’s the closeness of their embrace, the skillfulness with which their bodies move in sync, the passion and energy between each step, the subtle and wordless conversation between them — it is easy to assume that dance partners in tango are also life partners.
To some degree, this may be true and, in many cases, it is. After all, falling in love on the dance floor is not uncommon in tango. For some, dancing tango even becomes an avenue in which couples attempt to mend strained relationships and rekindle their partnership.
Read MoreRead MoreThose who choose the Tango and dedicate the time to learn it discover a whole new world of friendships, partnerships, and culture that goes way beyond the dance floor.
Alongside world-renowned and controversial tango legend Alejandra Mantiñan, Aoniken Quiroga is one of the tango dancers you must know — and here’s why.
Coupled with his down-to-earth personality and arresting charm, Aoniken Quiroga has definitely cemented himself as a tango dancer worthy of note.
As one of the so-called protagonists of the new tango youth in Buenos Aires, it can seem like Aoniken Quiroga’s style doesn’t entirely subscribe to the traditional way tango has been danced for decades. Then again,
Read MoreAoniken Quiroga is a tango dancer who uses dance to express joy and freedom. What he brings to the stage is his love not only for the dance but also for family and friends.
This beautiful, culturally rich metro has always been — and will always be — the tango mecca for those who want to experience this romantic, melancholic, and even life-changing dance.
As such, it’s no surprise that in Buenos Aires alone, there are hundreds of nightly milongas being hosted — some in the most popular places, while others are less well-known. Natives of Buenos Aires, being deeply rooted in the city’s tango culture, are likely familiar with the milongas that are happening in the area. However, tangueros and tangueras visiting the city for the first time might be overwhelmed or unaware of where they may find a milonga that they can enjoy.
Read MoreThose who have made the trip tend to exclaim that there’s simply nothing like the experience. This is especially true for those who have traveled all the way to Buenos Aires to study tango.
At some point, one may have come across various articles from tangueros and tangueras who have narrated their extraordinary tango experience in Buenos Aires. On the other hand, those who have yet to travel to the mecca of the dance tend to make it their objective to do so. Is it an absolute must to go to Buenos Aires to learn Argentine Tango?
Read MoreThe tango is an alluring dance that is popular all over the world because of its unique flair and cultural impact. Nevertheless, while it has a universal appeal for a global audience, it also has a personal appeal for couples.
Find out what tango psychotherapy is and what its origins and benefits are as you discover who Igor Zabuta and Emma Kologrivova are. Learn why they are qualified to help couples improve their relationships through the power of tango psychotherapy.
Read MoreThe look, the moves, and the musicality. They are exactly the perfect image of what comes to mind when you think of classic tango (or “old school tango”). A suit, a dress, sharp lines, and movements. Elegant, classy, and flashy all at the same time.
“As a part of Los Totis, it is impossible to separate Virginia from Christian as it is their partnership, coupled with their elegant aesthetic and passion for dancing, that has cemented their names in the tango world. Reaching such a status is hardly surprising as they are both students of renowned tango masters such as Toto Pedro Faraldo, Mingo and Esther Pugliese, and Jorge Raul Bravo.”
Read MorePepa is the creator and host of this ambitious documentary project that seeks to preserve tango history and the meaning of tango through well-structured videos and insightful interviews.
Read MoreAn academic paper published by the Interdisciplinary Research Institute describes how tango networking works:
“Tango Argentino networks constitute social groups which enforce a compromise of individual behavior with social interaction rules based on a general consensus among its aficionados… Its networks are characterized by their group orientation and openness: despite the fact that tango is a social dance for couples, the communities’ spirit is group-oriented… An ideal dancing event is one in which each partner had several other dancing partners. Moreover, tango communities are eager to integrate new members.”
Read MoreOne aspect of tango that is often highly debated is its authenticity. As with anything that has a long history, preserving the authenticity of any concept can be a challenge. In the case of tango, the changes typically pertain to the sensuality of the dance, which was not initially embraced by cultures outside of Buenos Aires. This was especially true in Western countries such as France, England, and the United States.
Thus, regarding its sensuality, many people believe that the only authentic tango is the one danced in “close embrace” rather than that danced with an “open embrace.”
But is this a correct assessment of tango’s so-called authenticity? Should the embrace used in tango matter?
Read MoreFor three years, Steve Darmo conducted his research on tango endings, first focusing on the steps and movements. However, he eventually realized that focusing on musicality instead of steps would lead to more fruitful discoveries. In compiling his knowledge, he took himself to task and listened to 1,700 tango songs from some of the most well-known tango orchestras of the dance’s Golden Age. These included music from revered tango maestros such as Anibal Troilo, Osvaldo Pugliese, Juan D’Arienzo, and many others.
As Steve Darmo explored the wide range of musicality that tango has, he was able to discover how important it is to be knowledgeable about tango orchestras to identify when a song will end, thus allowing dancers to properly time the conclusion to a song.
During his research, he classified nine common tango endings and three other uncommon endings. One can find a list of these endings along with accompanying tango music in his website Tango Endings, which also serves as supplementary material for his book.
Read MoreOne may eventually discover that dancing with the apilado style, which requires a deep close embrace, can be more fulfilling than dancing with just a “standard” close embrace or an open embrace. Similarly, one may also eventually discover that the volcada is a beautiful addition to one’s repertoire of movements.
All things considered, it boils down to a matter of personal preference. Of course, one should not forget that while one may be personally comfortable with the Apilado style or a volcada, the comfort level of one’s partner should always be respected.
Read MoreTango Centurion provides an explanation:
Read More“[The tango ocho] is associated with [infinity as]... It is a movement that combines your walk with your pivot, where you can see the woman’s body showing off her femininity by achieving that spiral shape. Specifically, to complete one tango ‘ocho’ you will do two walks with a pivot in the middle to join the two steps.
From Dana and Pablo’s point of view, the personal tango development of each individual is as [unique] as a fingerprint. The DNI wants to support its students in finding their own tango.
Read MoreThe TTC technology developed by Dana and Pablo is used as the basis that the student can access at any time to restructure [themselves].
The fascinating thing about Tango is that you can never just think about yourself, just like creating a SaaS application or particular code. You are partnered with a specific follower or leader on a particular dance floor for a specific song. A whole moment is created on that spot, in that bubble, but you also have to acknowledge the 20 people on a dance floor and be aware of your surroundings.
Read MoreAs a leader in Tango or as a CEO, if a follower looks uncertain or lost, so does the leader. You must pay attention to the full picture and give
Like any concept that has reached its peak, however, Argentine tango was not immune to the plateau regarding its popularity. By the mid-1950s, other activities and forms of music were beginning to gain ground among audiences, which the media began to focus on. Thus, Argentine tango was relegated to the backseat — at least until its revival in the mid-1980s.
This mentality — which has lasted for many years — stems from numerous factors primarily brought about by societal, cultural, and religious expectations.
Read MoreHowever, modern-day couples tend to be more open to the idea of divorce, though divorce rates have also contributed to the decline of marriage rates in recent years.
Just before his debut at the opening night of a club in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Piazzolla learned of his father Vincente’s passing in Mar del Plata.
Read MoreOverwhelmed by grief and mourning, Piazzolla was able to compose — in a half hour rush — what is arguably one of his most profound pieces, “Adios Nonino.” Nonino was what he fondly called his father.
