Re-sharing this earlier post by guest writer, "Tanguera Escondida", about using cabeceo... The cabeceo is considered an “Argentine” method of asking someone to dance. And honestly, it is not easy for us North Americans to feel comfortable staring at someone so directly. But once you get the hang of it, it’s definitely a great way to acknowledge your mutual interest in dancing together. A relaxed version of the cabeceo works great in other dance styles too. I've found much success just … Continue reading
Articles by Guest Writers
Teaching Tango in Africa
A few years ago I received an email from Camille Cusumano requesting support for her “Go Fund Me” campaign to teach tango in Africa. Camille is someone I’ve known for several years now, first as the author of Tango: An Argentine Love Story and then in person as a Bay Area dancer and teacher. Her […]
More Tango Confessions by Tanguera Escondida
Another humorous story by guest writer Tanguera Escondida: Situations In Which Followers Should Be Paid To Go To Group Classes I recently decided to take a group class with one of my favorite instructors in the Bay area. I love his focus on the basics, his salon tango embrace, the way he walks around the […]
Celebrating 20 years of Tuesday Night Tango
The El V Story by Andrea Bindereif “Where did the time go?” asks Julian Ramil, and as they both shake their heads his wife Claudia repeats: “Yes, where did the time go?” We were talking about El V, one of the best-known milongas in San Francisco and beyond, and which was about to celebrate […]
Tango Dancing with the Stars
Everyone has to start somewhere. In Tango, we were all beginners at one point. But once we get past the point of being a beginner and become moderately competent, most of us do not want the challenge of dancing with a beginner again. It might make us look bad, or much worse, we may get […]
Tango and the Feminist
A new guest post By Sasha Cagen “You’re not getting the lead,” he tells me. Gruff, mid-fifties, beady eyes, a ponytail dwindling halfway down his back, Ponytail Man chose me as his partner for this advanced tango class at Floreal, a traditional milonga in Buenos Aires. It’s nice to be chosen, but now I’m not […]
What Tango Taught Me About Relationships
I’m thrilled to announce we have a guest post by Sasha Cagen. Sasha is an Oakland tanguera and the author of “Quirkyalone: A Manifesto for Uncompromising Romantics”. In this post Sasha explains how Tango is a LOT more that just a dance… Tango is more than a dance. It can teach us a lot […]
Articles about Bay Area Milongas
Open to Possibilities
Most people will agree that the best dances happen when both the leader and follower are both leading and following each other. In other words, Tango is a conversation in which both partners contribute to the dance. There is something magical that happens when the music flows into our bodies and is expressed as a […]
Milonga Spotlight: El Abrazo
After-hours DJ Club turns into Argentine Milonga. Yep, I’m talking about El Abrazo, the once a month Friday night Milonga at Danzhaus. Danzhaus, aka the Gingerbread House, located in the industrial part of Potrero Hill, is San Francisco’s only professional dance studio and late night party venue that has also been named “Best of the […]
Tips for SF Tango Visitors
Are you planning a Tango Trip to San Francisco? If you are looking to dance in one of the best US cities for Tango, this guide is for you. Where are the milongas? Most of the milongas are located in the Mission district of San Francisco with the exception of a few in the East […]
Milonga Spotlight: Cellspace
It’s a Wednesday Night and you are in the Mission. You are at 18th and Bryant to be exact. You find yourself attracted to the colorful murals flanking the outside walls as the music of Piazolla, Bajofondo or Tom Waits drifts out on to the street. As you enter, an ever changing art gallery greets […]
Saying Goodbye to Favorite SF Milongas
As many of you may know by now, many of our most popular tango venues have closed recently or will be closing soon. Verdi Club will be having its last milonga this Thursday, May 29th. The Monte Cristo, one of the bay area’s longest running milongas run by Gary and Nirmala closed its doors at […]
Milonga Spotlight: CMC Mission Milonga
The CMC Milonga is a wonderful intimate milonga in the heart of the Mission. It’s held in a beautiful Victorian concert hall with smooth wooden floor and outdoor patio. This monthly Milonga, held every 2nd Saturday of the month, often includes live music and dance performances by local and international Tango guests. Plus, all ages are welcome […]