Yes, I think you should go dance tango in Buenos Aires. But I personally won’t.
Hardcore tango dancers are always looking for the “best place” in the world to dance tango. And quite often, Buenos Aires is often referred to as THE best place for tango. People romanticize it, dream about it, save up their money for it, and return home from it full of bliss and life-changing memories.
And I agree with all their thoughts about it. But I just don’t like it for myself.
Why?
BA tango is good to see once in your life.
BA is definitely worth a visit.
I think you will have a lot of fun and not regret your decision. But is it good enough you a better tango experience overall than in Europe or Korea? (the 2 other world tango hotspots)
That I can’t guarantee.
Buenos Aires definitely has a high level of tango dancers, dancing, and instruction. But it’s not consistent, not convenient, and at times not sociable in a way that you’re used to elsewhere in the US, Europe, etc.
What’s the BA tango vibe?
If you’re into an anxious superficial fake-friendly party hookup scene, Buenos Aires fits that perfectly. Tons of people flying in from around the world in search of “connection”. Tons of Argentinian dudes trying to hit on foreign girls or find easy money from foreign dancers. Definitely feels more like a scene with an agenda than a scene trying to dance and enjoy life. After all, everybody paid so much money and time to be there, right?
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just not my vibe. I would have loved to train tango in Buenos Aires but felt many maestros were too busy with other longterm clients, or busy partying all night that they often forgot or end up cancelling the early morning private lesson slots they gave me.
If anything, Buenos Aires reminds me of all the annoying parts about Los Angeles (where I’m from). It’s definitely a scene with many people trying to schmooze their way up the social ladder to reach a certain agenda. If you like playing the game, find yourself stimulated and amused by it…then by all means, do it!
Where do I prefer instead of BA?
I personally prefer Europe. It’s my favorite place to dance because the cities are beautiful and the people are more genuine. The connection off the dance floor matters as much to me as the connection on it. It’s slower, more relaxed, more varied. Many more interesting places to visit. And a much more healthier and balanced take on tango. Where people actually live with tango intermixed into their normal life routine.
Dancing tango throughout Europe feels like you’re walking around a beautiful town, eating dinner with friends, then meeting up for dancing in beautiful venues at the night milongas. On days that you don’t dance, you’re visiting beautiful landscapes and tourist destinations. The locals you meet are much more friendly and inclusive, even when they have nothing to gain from being your friend.
Dancing tango in Buenos Aires feels like a month-long college spring party at the local tango buffet. Running around in smoke-filled basements with people who are drunk and/or desperate for the best dance/hookup possible because they invested so much time and money to be in Buenos Aires. It’s like a frantic all-you-can-dance buffet with a time limit on when they have to return back to normal life again. They aren’t rested, eating healthy, or following a normal routine. Yes…it’s fun, but it isn’t “real” to me.
To each their own. The tango vibe I seek may not be the one everyone else seeks.