History of the Argentine Tango

Series Summary

The tango dance originated in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires, but it has spread all over the world. Thus, there are many different ways to dance the tango. Ballroom tangos, including American and International tango, incorporate the head snapping, staccato music, and quick movements seen in movies such as “True Lies” and “Mr. And Mrs. Smith.” However, Argentina's tango has neither head snapping nor fast music, and it is a more fluid dance. The Argentine tango music originally blended music from Africa, South America, and Europe. Whether you are learning the Argentina version or the American version of the tango, practice is necessary and fun!

In this free video series, let our professional dancers show you how to dance the Argentine tango. Gabriela Schaffer and Luis Vivas have danced in competitions all over the world. With their expert instruction, you and your partner can start doing this passionate dance. Learn the history of the tango, and learn about variations in the Argentine tango. Gabriela shows you how to walk, lead, and turn in the tango. Also, learn how to do basic and modern dance steps. So, if you are considering taking up dance lessons, learn how to do the Argentine tango online!

Video Transcript

"In this clip we will talk about the tango Argentinian history. The tango started dancing in between men because it was the immigrant coming from Italy and from Spain, with the native people from Argentina, that after work they went to the bars, and to amuse themselves they start dancing between them. Kids and women came later in the immigration. So they started doing like a very athletic tango and competition tango. And then with the time trouble, they started dancing in the brothels, and started a more seductive tango of passion and seduction. Later on tango traveled to Paris, and because Argentinians loves Paris and French people, and the French people accepted tango very well and started dancing in all their dance halls, Argentinians started dancing also in the high society. But tango changed a lot at that time, because the style was completely sheik and completely different from that neighborhood wanted, from the beginning of that very tango."