Tango dancing is a type of couples dance with a long history and tradition. The image of a man and woman dancing dramatically, the woman clutching a rose between her teeth and being “dipped” her partner, has captured the popular imagination. Although this is a humorous image, it bears little resemblance to the actual dance.
Tango dancing began in the late nineteenth century in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital. It began as a street dance that was performed in brothels and bars. By the early twentieth century, the dance had made its way to Paris and then to America, where it was popular among the Jazz Age’s “sheiks” and “flappers.” It was here that the stereotypical image of the dance was born.
After the Great Depression in 1929, tango dancing lost some of its luster in Argentina, but it regained popularity after Juan Peron came to power. Being able to tango became a source of national pride. After being repressed several dictatorships in Argentina, the dance was revived in the 1980s with the premiere of the Broadway musical Forever Tango.
Tango is a dance that takes a short amount of time to learn but a lifetime to master. It’s a staccato dance with a lot of syncopation. The couple dances it in a close embrace, their faces pointed in the same direction, arms extended, hands clasped or palms together, with a sensual, dramatic flair. The couple dances with full upper body contact in true Argentine tango, whereas in American ballroom style, the couple does not maintain upper body contact. Several specialized steps are included in the dance, such as the woman hooking her leg around her partner’s and one partner dragging the back foot in time.
Tango dancing has its own distinct musical style. Its timing and rhythms correspond to the dance’s steps, and musicians who specialize in composing and performing tango music. Tango dancing clubs can be found all over the United States, and the dance is still popular in Argentina, where it originated. There are numerous Web sites dedicated to its music, technique, and culture.