Argentine Tango as a dance form developed in the mid to late 19th century in Argentina and Uruguay. The rhythmic roots of Tango evolved from African and Cuban rhythms, especially the “habanera.” Once considered a dance of the common folk, its export to Europe in the early 20th century brought it wider recognition and popularity among all classes.

The fullest expression of Tango was in Argentina from the mid 1920’s until the late 1950’s, primarily in Buenos Aires. Tango’s apex was the “Golden Age” which ran from about 1935 to 1955 after which the popularity of the dance and its music began to fade. There were a number reasons for this including the advent of Rock & Roll, Jazz, political changes, and the generational pressures of “that was my parent’s thing.”

In the 1980’s Tango was re-discovered and the dance and its music have found new generations of dancers and musicians. Its acceptance and adoption is now worldwide where “Milongas” (evenings of social dancing) can be found in every major city.

Tango is an improvised dance where the non-verbal conversation between dancers creates each moment in real time. Thus it is often considered, especially by those devoted to this form, to be the pinnacle of social dances.

DJ Paul Lohman

(AKA: DJ Pablo)