The sweet temptation of trying to Tango
For most aspiring or even social Argentine Tango dancers, travelling to
This was the case for me and I was not disappointed.
Article by Natanya van der Linden
I don't know of another city in the world that has such a love affair with one particular style of dance. And a love affair it is. With enthusiasts aged from 8 to 80, Argentineans embrace its history, its essence, its passion.
Despite its rather unsavoury beginnings in the sleazy brothels and immigrant communes of
Foreigners love it too. Like a secret subculture, tango has quietly spread its roots across the world and over the past decade or so tango studios have blossomed in places as diverse as Holland, Japan, Canada, Israel, Scotland and South Africa.
'You can close your eyes and let everything else fade away'
There are countless tango shows every night in the city and many of them are aimed purely and unashamedly at tourists. Seamless tango sausage factories that include a free pick-up from your hotel, a mediocre meal and a glitzy tango cabaret, all timed to get you swiftly out the door in order to set up for the next show. But then what more does your average tourist - who wants to experience just a touch of tango - want or need?
Luckily for those who do want more, there is more.
You may have to delve a little deeper into the city, but it is there. Traditional tango, modern tango, experimental tango, same-sex tango, erotic tango and tango in every shape and form.
The best place to start for a bit of authentic tango, though, are the numerous late-night milongas (tango dance socials) that take place almost every day of the week.
Here ageing tango maestros, usually in equally ageing but exceptionally atmospheric dance halls, instruct nubile young dancers in the subtle and seductive art of tango dance. No flash moves here, no kicks or ridiculously intricate footwork, just the gently passionate leading and following of a man and woman across a wooden dance floor.
As a local tango dancer told me: "When a man leads you well in tango, you can close your eyes and let everything else fade away. It becomes the most intimate and intensely connected three minutes you can have with a stranger while being fully dressed and in front of a hall of people.
"Then the song ends, you politely nod thank you and go and sit down and wait for the next stranger to take you on a three-minute journey into tango bliss."
The two areas of
· Malaysia Airlines flies directly to
· Look out for well-priced, seven-day tours to
· If you are interested in learning tango and you are planning to spend a while in the city, you might like to join a weekly or bi-weekly group dance class. If you are only there for a short stay or would like to improve quickly, private lessons are recommended and can be taken by couples or individuals. You can also choose to have a male or female dance instructor, or both, usually for the same price.
· Private dance lessons vary greatly in price, depending on the skill and experience of the instructor, and can range anywhere from R60 to R600 per hour for a tango maestro. If you don't speak Spanish, remember to request an English-speaking dance instructor when you book.
· For information on everything tango-related, including schedules of tango classes in
This article was originally published in The Star newspaper
