Argentine Tango is a couple dance that originated in Argentina's capital city, Buenos Aires. It is not to be confused with the Tango, which is popular in both international and American ballroom dancing. Argentine Tango is an improvised, interpretive social dance that allows dancers to form a strong bond with themselves, the music, and the environment in which they dance.

Argentine Tango is divided into numerous styles, some of which are detailed below, as well as distinct types of Tango, danced during milongas or social dances (Note: Milonga is both - a social dance, and a type of Tango dancing). Modern Tango styles like Tango Nuevo and Neo-Tango have also arisen and are quickly gaining popularity in dance cafes and halls all over the world.

Styles of Tango Dance

There are a variety of Tango styles that have evolved from the original Argentine style. It traveled the world after leaving Buenos Aires, and many of the cities that adopted it added their twists to its fundamentals. The American Tango and Show Tango, often known as Fantasia Tango, are derivatives of the original Argentine Tango. The European style of Tango, often known as Ballroom Tango, is a branch of the Argentine Tango tree.

Famous Dancers

El Cachafaz is widely regarded as the greatest Tango dancer of all time. He was one of the earliest Tango dancers, and he learned the dance in brothels. He left Buenos Aires and traveled the world, earning a fortune in the process. His roguish nature, sadly, left him broke, but he was still a formidable dancer well into his 60s.

Casimiro Ain, better known by his stage as El Vasco, is a legendary Tango dancer. He also toured the world, often to high-ranking officials, to demonstrate his gift. He once performed for Pope Benedict XV. However, his tale does not have a happy ending. He'd returned to Buenos Aires and taken up the life of a hermit. One of the final known records of his life is that he had to have surgery on one of his legs, which unfortunately resulted in amputation. Shortly thereafter he died.

Carlos Gardel, sometimes known as the King of Tango, was by far the most prominent personality in Tango's early years. He was an actor, singer, and lyricist who popularised Tango. Even though he grew up in Buenos Aires, he was born in France. Before his untimely death, his musical and acting abilities enabled him to record hundreds of songs and appear in numerous films. In 1935, his plane crashed, killing him and several other musicians.