Argentina Dance History
Argentina has a rich culture and long history of dance that developed from both indigenous and European influences. The most well-known dance style internationally is tango, which developed in the poor immigrant neighborhoods of Buenos Aires in the 19th century.
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Tango
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Tango music and dance is characterized by longing, passion and sexual innuendo. It was originally the dance of poor immigrants, though high society eventually took a liking to the tango after it was popularized in Europe by artists like Carlos Gardel.
Folkloric
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With a history even older than tango, folkloric dancing is extremely popular in the Northwest Andean region of Argentina as well as in big cities.
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Famous Dancers
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Perhaps the famous dancer in Argentine history was a tango dancer who went by the nickname El Cachafaz. In true tango fashion, El Cachafaz was a vagabond from a poor neighborhood in Buenos Aires who achieved recognition as a great dancer by performing in the streets and in the milongas (tango dance halls).
Dance Schools
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La Academia Nacional de Tango in Buenos Aires is an important institution for the instruction of tango. The ballet academy at the Argentine theater, Teatro Colon, is the most reputable school for ballet instruction.
Venues for Dance
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Tango is danced in traditional salons throughout the city of Buenos Aires and in other large cities as well. Folkloric dancing can be found in the peñas (venues specific to this style of music and dance), the highest concentration of which is in the northern region of the country.
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