Argentine Tango Passionate couple dancing Argentine Tango in a dance studio
Hot Pursuit: The Sizzle Behind Argentine Tango
Promenade, anyone?
The tango, by many accounts, is one of the most famous dances in the world. It's the passionate partner dance that likely first comes to mind for much of the general population. Many of tango's classic steps are widely recognized, and everybody knows exactly how many dancers are required for its proper execution.
But what about the back story? Where did the dance originate, and who developed it? What exactly makes the tango so compelling? Here's a quick peek behind the scenes to answer your burning questions.
A Very Brief History
According to Susan August Brown, Argentine tango was first developed in the 1880's in the working-class waterfront neighborhoods of Argentina. During that time, a massive wave of immigrants came to Argentina from all over the world, and luckily, they brought their dances with them.
Argentine Tango is a fusion of many diverse dances, such as the waltz, the polka, and the Cuban habanera, to name just a few. It was this new multicultural scene that set the stage, giving rise to the tango as we know it today.
The Allure
The Tango tells us a timeless story of pursuit, a passionate hunt by either or both parties involved, sometimes even alternating between the two players in a single dance. Whether you're dancing or observing, a story comes through. Both dancers take turns stalking and then ignoring one another like hungry felines. Telling an ageless story in so many steps, tango keeps us coming back for more. As an enduring allegory for human relationships, the tango has a lesson or two to teach. Oh, the drama!
Each time it's danced, tango tells a different tale. Something as simple as the angle of the head can mean the difference between the lady communicating "Not in a million years" to "I'm vaguely interested" to "Yes!" Understanding the meaning behind these subtle cues of body language can open up the dance in new ways, whether you are dancing or witnessing.
What does the Tango remind you of? Contact us today and let us know!