Hola a todos! (Hello, everyone!)
This week I am introducing you all to the world of tango, a dance style created and popularized in Argentina. The tango derived from discreet and underground dance venues in Buenos Aires, Argentina in the late 19th century. When tango was first performed, many people saw it as scandalous. Today, tango is celebrated as an important piece of Argentine and porteño culture. Porteños are Argentines born in Buenos Aires, a port city.
Tango involves two partners, a leader (the male) and the follower (female). The leader determines which direction the pair will go and initiates the steps. The leader has a very important role because when dancing in a crowded space, it is very important to not bump into another pair. However, the follower brings just as much to the dance, because the follower brings elegance. Many of the women are so in tune with their own bodies that they can dance with their eyes closed.
During my first week in Argentina, I had the opportunity to take a tango class at my study abroad office. I really enjoyed watching our two instructors dance. Later, our program took a trip to El Viejo Almacén (The Old Warehouse) to watch a traditional tango show, with live music and food.
