When we say “Argentine tango,” we usually refer to partner dance. It could refer to the music associated with the dance.

But do we ever think of Argentine tango and behavioral science in the same sentence?

Most people don’t, but maybe we should.

Tango Intoxication is the feeling I crave every night even before I touch my partner’s hand while entering the embrace of Tango.

It is a special piece of magic which stupefies me, places me in an intoxicant induced state of excitement, joy, and elation well beyond the limits of sobriety, a tango high. It is as if a pulsating orb of invisible, yet blurred color surrounded and gently massaged me. This is an evasive, clandestine form of intoxication that does not readily avail itself to the uninitiated.

You have to work for it, and even then, there is no guarantee this sensation will find you.

The art of tango dancing has the power to induce a trance-like condition in the dancer, transporting them to a realm where time, hunger, thirst, pain, and other physical, mental, and emotional challenges, as well as worldly problems, seem to vanish almost entirely. With “Tango Intoxication,” you’ll have a better grasp on the idea and be ready to embark on that journey.

When you have been intoxicated by Tango there will be no hangover, no regret. Tango intoxication is not imaginary, it is a real feeling I have experienced.

As worldwide interest in tango rose, the dance soon found itself being brought to the international stage. It wasn’t only the dance, but also the music that captivated the hearts of audiences around the world.

Thanks to movies, TV shows, and theater performances, people — especially those outside of the tango community — became acquainted with a historical and cultural phenomenon that expresses universal yet profoundly human themes such as romance, heartbreak, loneliness, jealousy, and many more.

Among the variety of creative media associated with tango, Tango Pasión is one name that has made itself a part of tango history. As a tango show that began touring in 1992, Tango Pasión has evolved into a celebrated stage performance that spans more than 20 years.

But what exactly is Tango Pasión, and who are the people behind it?

Beginners can easily become overwhelmed with the different tango styles out there. The tango masters have definitely gone through the same thing, questioning everything just to get a deeper understanding of the dance. One of the questions posed in the world of tango is:

“Is Villa Urquiza an actual style of tango, or is it just a marketing buzzword?”

Let's take a closer look at Villa Urquiza style and try to answer once and for all.

You might have been used to dancing to a classic Argentine Tango orchestra with male singers. More often than not, DJ’s prefer playing orchestras with male singers because some milonguero and milonguera are not comfortable dancing to pitchy female singers in the background.

However, pitchy as they may seem, female tango singers can bring new flavor to a dancing experience on a milonga. 

Aside from that, some of these singers have created a name for themselves. Some are good such as pushing for a woman’s strong persona in a patriarchal society while some underwent a scandal of some sort. Whatever it may be, the history that they created during the Golden Age of Tango will surely make their name a huge contribution in Argentine Tango’s rich musical history. 

Tango — music or dance — always elicits an emotional response. When we hear it, we can feel the fire of love and passion or the pain of loss and nostalgia. When we dance to it, we can feel how sensual, beautiful, and dangerous it can be.

Tango is undeniably an unmatched experience, but if there’s one more thing we need to learn about tango, it is that there’s a superstition surrounding it.

For some, “Adiós Muchachos” is just a tango song meant to be danced to. For others, “Adiós Muchachos” is much more than that; it’s one tango you should not dance to.

What is this mystery surrounding “Adiós Muchachos?”

Because tango has remained, in large part, a dance that is taught and spread by word-of-mouth, it can be difficult to find a repository of information that has compiled all pertinent aspects of tango in one place. This is especially true when it comes to the songs or orchestras used for dancing. While it may be a little easier for natives of Buenos Aires to find information about tango — seeing as it’s a part of their national culture — much of the Western world appears to only have scattered information about the lives and works of tango singers, composers, and dancers.

In that respect, one such website stands out, and it may be considered one of the most comprehensive spaces on the internet to provide well-researched information and even first-hand interviews involving tango personalities.

The site is called TodoTango, which is dedicated to all things tango, from its compendium of tango songs to its compilation of tango-related articles that provide information that might not normally be found in other blogs.

“They call me Pupi. My real name is Ernesto Castello but everyone calls me Pupi. In fact, it should be 'puppy.'”

This introduction — taken from the 2005 BBC 4 documentary “La Confiteria Ideal: The Tango Salon” — is perhaps the best way one can acquaint oneself with Ernesto Norberto “Pupi” Castello. All smiles and brimming with what could perhaps be described as subdued energy, Pupi instantly radiates an arresting personality.

From his tone of voice, body language, and expressions, it’s not difficult to see why this tango legend is often viewed as the life of the party.

When you watch a couple dancing the tango, it’s impossible to miss the passion, intensity, and masculine energy that oozes from every pore.

There’s something about the way the man moves with such purpose and authority, while the woman seems to melt into his arms after she follows his lead.

It’s no wonder that tango is often referred to by many as the most masculine dance that exists.

Is tango really a masculine dance? If so, what makes tango so masculine?

When dancing to tango, should the music come first or the dance?

This is a common question that dancers and music enthusiasts often debate. Some say that the music should come first because the dance is just a bunch of steps. Others find that the music is a necessary part of the experience, embedded in the dance itself. All these questions gave birth to neolonga and neotango, which eventually became two more controversial topics.

What is neolonga? Is it an alternative tango, or is it an alternative TO tango?

Milonga as a tango party can be large or small, formal or informal.

At a milonga, you'll usually find a mix of people called the “milongueros” — some who are there to dance and others who are there to listen to the music and watch the dancers.

Milongas typically take place in tango clubs or studios, but they can also be held in other venues such as restaurants, bars, or even outdoors in parks.

If tango is like a stealthy panther, then milonga is its nimble parent.

Getting to know the milonga can be confusing as the term has three meanings: dance, music, and social tango.

The dance shows a faster side of tango. Yes, tango came from an even quicker dance! Think of it this way: you meet some families where the children clearly take after their parents but have their own quirks.

Milonga and tango are the same way; the tango has similar characteristics but is different enough to warrant its own recognition.

Let’s become acquainted with milonga, the origin of tango.