TANGO PORTEÑO
We pull up right up to the front of the line, get out of the van, and are welcomed with bright lights and men in suits helping us out of the car. We have just arrived at Tango Porteño, a local theater right in the heart of Buenos Aires.
On our walking tour of La Boca, I learned that Tango started in that neighborhood in the 1880s. The dance was inspired by many different dances throughout the world (like samba and the waltz) and in their neighborhood full of immigrants. This dance was a creative outlet and a celebration of their heritage. It was also created to raise funds for their community. By 1915, Tango really became popular and many people were interested in watching a Tango show. People paid money to come to La Boca to see street performances. Since then, Tango has become a big tourist attraction and many people make sure to reserve a spot in their Buenos Aires itinerary for a Tango show. After learning about all that on our walking tour, the anticipation just started to build and build until I became so excited to go, I couldn't stop talking about it!
When we arrived at the theater, we could tell that this was special and fancy. We walked inside and someone helped us to our table, which happened to be 5 seats away from the stage (which is a REALLY good seat!!!). Our waiter came over and served us steaming hot, fresh empanadas and offered us sodas in wine glasses. Twenty minutes later the lights started to dim, the red velvet curtain began to lift, and the magic of tango was revealed.
The first dance that was performed was set in La Boca. All of the dancers got on stage and started to twirl around in their polka dot dresses. After that first dance we continued to see them, but in individual solos and then occasionally group dances.
To me, the dance moves looked amazing. Some were so fluid and graceful, like it was just one movement while others were more strict and more followed through than others. I thought that was interesting because it gave the dance more than one feeling. What was also magical was that the dancers were always so focused and almost never broke eye contact with their partners, it was incredible!
Another type of dancers that were included in the show were not traditional Tango dancers. They were from the farm areas and they were based on gauchos. Three dancers came on stage with drums and then transitioned into twirling around metal balls on weaved leather. It was fascinating to watch. They were also so focused and knew exactly what they were doing.
The music of Tango has a really strong meaning behind it. Because Tango began in La Boca, the lyrics of Tango music really reflect all of the hardships and struggles they had to overcome. Some people, like very religious Catholics, do not like Tango because of the lyrics and certain inappropriate words. Personally, I think that Tango music is romantic and very suspenseful at times. The orchestra had many different instruments included in the show. One instrument that I was surprised by was the accordion! It went very well with the dancing and the flow of the music, though. What I also didn't realize we were going to be seeing that night was a singer. He had a couple of solos throughout the show and he was very good.
The costumes also played a major role in the dance, too. The way the costumes flowed with the rhythm and music of the dance was incredible. The men always wear a suit that matches with the women dress. Sometimes it would be black with red or blue or even polka dots! The women would wear dresses that are short in the front and long in the back. Usually parts would be see through or decorated with sparkly gems. Those are costumes for the traditional Tango dance, but the drummers wear the traditional gaucho attire, which are not dresses or suits.
Tango is amazing and I really enjoyed seeing this traditional dance performed. I can’t wait to go to my second show!