The Tango grew out of the crowded and diverse lower class streets of Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. It was influenced by the African rhythms of the milonga and candombe, and Italian, Spanish, and French immigrants. This mixed parentage made the tango a melting pot that everyone could enjoy. Soon it had even leapt class barriers, showing up in El Teatro Opera as well as immigrant haunts.
It was the Parisians, the perpetual trend-setters, that made the Tango internationally popular in the early nineteen hundreds. Today we have the American Tango, the Ballroom Tango, even the Finnish Tango. But there is something especially special about the original -- the Argentine Tango.
There is something about the emotion and control of this dance that make it particularly arresting. I would love to learn how to tango, but until I do, there is always youtube.
