Let's face it, Argentine Tango is not an easy dance to learn. In the beginning it can be very frustrating. It takes time and diligence to become competent and a strong ego to deal with rejection. The better dancer you become, more people will seek you out to dance with you. You will also enjoy yourself more as your skill level increases. Not everyone goes into Tango, or any other dance for that matter, wanting to be the best dancer. Perhaps you just want to have fun, get out of the house … 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 […]
Practicing Tango
Tanguera Escondida returns with more thoughtful and humorous observations on the benefits of practice and a salad with tuna: A couples months ago I said something truly ridiculous to my tango partner, Klondike. He had remarked that I’d danced beautifully at a recent milonga with good posture and elegance. I really took this compliment to […]
Tango Confessions by Tanguera Escondida
SF Loves Tango is thrilled to introduce Tanguera Escondida, our new guest writer. “Tango Confessions by Tanguera Escondida” will be a regular series at SF Loves Tango. Tanguera Escondida (TE) shares her stories, with honesty and a wry sense of humor, the joys and frustrations of dancing Tango in the Bay Area. TE frequents all the […]
The Art of the Cabeceo
The cabeceo is considered the “Argentine” method of asking someone to dance. And truth be told, 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. I have […]
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 […]
Dancing through the Golden Years
With much excitement I introduce a new guest contributor, Andrea Bindereif of Andrea’s Tango Blog. I came across her blog recently and was blown away by her journalistic style of writing and in-depth stories on the Bay Area Tango community. Andrea, born, raised and educated in Germany, came to California in 1994, worked as a […]
Articles about Bay Area Milongas
Tango to benefit Ashkenaz
Tonight, Saturday July 21st, is an exciting Tango event benefiting Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center. Ashkenaz, in Berkeley is a very fun events venue presenting awesome concerts, music and dance workshops rooted in traditional cultures from around the world. Ashkenaz supports local and international bands of both established and emerging artists in a “respectful, […]
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 […]
Tango for the Day of Love
Valentine’s Day is coming up this Friday. Due to consumerism and pressure to buy stuff on every holiday possible, Valentine’s Day seems to have lost its meaning. Valentine’s Day should be about celebrating love. And I’m not talking about love just for your partner, but love for your family, friends, pets… you get the idea. […]
Pushing Boundaries with Fusion Tango
Some would say true creativity can only happen when we push the boundaries on tradition. Tango has evolved a lot in the past 20 years. But then again, it has evolved a lot since its humble beginnings on the streets of Buenos Aires in the late 1800’s. Although many still revere the “Golden Age” of […]
Tango Etiquette and Floor Craft
It’s a phenomena that I’m sure is not limited to the Bay Area. Chaotic dance floors. A chaotic dance floor has no flow, people weave in and out of lanes, couples enter with no regard for those already on the floor and accidents and near collisions happen almost everywhere you look. I’ve been to a […]
Milonga Spotlight: Sácale Punta
In Tango, when we think of Berkeley, most people think of the Beat. And for good reason of course. The Beat has maintained its status over the years as a great place for Tango primarily due to the Monday nights Practica and the monthly All-Nighter. That being said, there is now another reason to head […]