10 Facts About Tango

Tango is a partner dance and social dance that originated in the 1880s along the Rio de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay.

Tango is a dance that has influences from African and European culture.

Tango music was sometimes played but at a rather fast tempo.

Tango declined again in the late 1950s, as a result of economic depression and the banning of public gatherings by the military dictatorships; male-only tango practice—the custom at the time—was considered "public gathering".

Tango canyengue is a rhythmic style of tango that originated in the early 1900s and is still popular today.

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Tango canyengue uses body dissociation for the leading, walking with firm ground contact, and a permanent combination of on- and off-beat rhythm.

Tango is danced in very close full thigh, pelvis and upper body contact in a wide and strong frame, and features smooth horizontal movements that are very strong and determined.

The American Ballroom Tango's frame is flexible too, but experienced dancers frequently dance in closed position: higher in the elbows, tone in the arms and constant connection through the body.

Ballroom tango steps stay close to the floor, while the River Plata Tango includes moves such as the boleo and gancho in which the feet travel off the ground.

Tango appears in different aspects of society: Regular milongas and special festivals.