15 Fun & Interesting Facts About The Tango Ballroom Dance Style

The tango is one of the most popular dances in the world, enjoyed by people of all ages. The dance is about having fun and enjoying the moment and dancers across the globe appreciate the excitement of moving their hips and feet to the rhythm of the beat as much as audiences enjoy watching them on the dance floor. Today we’ll share a few interesting facts about the Tango, giving you insight so you can join in on the fun.

The Tango is Born

Originating in the 19th century in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Tango is blended with African, European, and indigenous cultures for a one-of-a-kind dance that tells a story in every step. The cultural influences give the tango its uniqueness and flair.

Tango, Your Way

The Argentine tango is one of several styles of tango. It is the most popular, although giving partners an opportunity to spark emotion through the style’s close embrace. The ballroom tango is a second style. More formal than the Argentine style, the ballroom tango allows each partner to bring their character and flavor to the dance.

A Connection Between Partners

Partners need a strong connection to successfully execute the tango. Tango dancers communicate through body movements and cues. It’s a secret language on the dance floor, a dancer’s way of saying, follow my heart. Without a strong connection, dancers may miss those important non-verbal cues that throw off the entire dance.

Move to the Beat

The tango music is fun, sultry, energetic, and playful. Sitting still when it plays is difficult, even for those who are rhythmically challenged. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel like life is a party, even at 6 in the morning.

Dance at Your Own Free Will

While many dances are precisely choreographed, the tango offers room for improvisation, giving dancers an opportunity to express themselves, introduce new steps and dance styles, and enjoy themselves on the dance floor. No two tango dances are ever the same and if you make a mistake, you can always claim that it was improvised!

Fancy Footwork

Dancing the tango requires sharp, quick steps and gliding movement. Dancers should be confident, coordinated, and capable of moving to the beat.

Argentina’s Culture

For most people, the tango is a dance, but in Argentina, it’s so much more. In 2009, UNESCO declared the tango as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Residents of the country embrace the tango, its history, and its dancers, and embrace it as a warm, deep part of Argentine culture.

Fashion Forward Dance Aesthetics

Elegance and flair define a tango dancer’s wardrobe. They wear flowing dresses, sharp suits, and glamorous shoes that add to the dance’s drama. Selecting outfits and accessories is part of the fun of dancing the tango!

The News on Dance Shoes

Tango dancers need footwear that embodies their outfits, but also provides them with support and flexibility. Dancers should always choose their international dance shoes from https://ballroomshoes.com/collections/international-dance-shoes carefully, opting for a pair that allows them to twirl with confidence.

A Competitive Dance Scene

The tango is one of those ballroom dances that get dancers off their bottoms and on their feet swinging their hips. The competitive dance scene includes events at local, national, and international levels for both traditional and contemporary dancers. Tango dancers star in their very own version of Dancing With The Stars!

How to Learn to Tango

Aspiring ballroom dancers have more options than ever to help guide them through the learning process, from the basics to advanced steps. YouTube tutorials, private instruction, group classes, and instruction from fellow dancers and peers are some of the options.

The Dance of Love

Tango is often touted as a dance of passion, love, and longing. It features dramatic movements and strong emotions between partners designed to evoke strong feelings from the audience. Tango lyrics are often written in a poetic or metaphorical style and deal with themes of love, loss, and longing.

Longest Tango Competition

The longest tango dance competition lasted nearly two days. The world record for the most spins recorded in one minute is 37.

Controversial Dance

As tango rose to popularity in the early 1900s, some viewed the dance as too sexually charged and deemed it inappropriate for public display.

Popular Tango Singers

The music associated with tango dancing contributes to the overall dance performance. Many famous tango singers have graced the world with their great voices, including Carlos Acuna, Julio Sosa, Edmundo Rivero, and Tita Merello.

How to Start Learning How to Tango

If you want to feel the energy and excitement brought by the tango, your first step is finding a dance instructor or studio. Tango classes provide structured lessons and guidance from experienced tango instructors. Online tutorials can also benefit hopeful dancers.

Do you have someone in mind to be your partner? Don’t panic if not because you can find potential suitors at dance class, at social events, and through social media and other online sources.

Next, invest in a pair of quality dance shoes. Shoes should fit snugly, but allow toes to wiggle freely around inside. Leather is the best material for a dance shoe, so long as it features suede soles that allow you to glide across the dance floor. The selected shoes should feel comfortable and, of course, offer an aesthetic appeal that amplifies confidence on the dance floor.

When you are comfortable, advance to dance events and socials where you can show off your skills, learn new steps, and meet other dancers, potentially forming long-term friendships with them.

The Bottom Line

Did you learn new information about the tango? We hope this blog offers insight into this popular ballroom dance style and helps you take the first step toward an exciting life as a tango dancer.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com