From Then to Now

        " WARNING: TANGO CONTAINS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE INGREDIENTS, SUCH AS PAIN, PLEASURE, PASSION, EXCITEMENT, CONNECTION, FREEDOM, TORMENT, AND BLISS. IN SEVEN OUT OF TEN CASES IT TAKES OVER A PERSON'S LIFE." -Naomi Hotta [1]

         By doing all of this research for the tango I can completely relate to this quote. I have not had a change to learn how to dance the tango but it is a lifetime goal. Just by reading about all of the history and how far it has come over the years, I really can see how people are in love with this amazing genre. I find myself watching video after video for hours at a time because the dance is so powerful and intriguing. Everyday we can come across the tango on the radio, television, and movies. A genre that was once a dirty, lower class dance from Buenos Aires has captivated the world to this day. Once a year in Buenos Aires, they hold a Tango festival that has a market that sells all things tango and a world championship dance competition. In 2011, 325 couples came from countries like Canada, Russia, Japan, Colombia, China, etc to try and win a grand prize 30,000 Argentine pesos [2]. The love for the tango is still alive and well for people all over the world.

         It is evident that the tango is one of the most well known dances throughout the world but it could take a month of blogging to talk about all of the different dance genres that sprouted from the tango. That is why I simply stuck with the traditional Argentine tango. In the future, I would love to do more on the different  styles that have come about from the original because they are all unique in their own ways. Dancing competition shows like Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance continue to dance these styles with a more contemporary spin. Below is a clip from Dancing With the Stars from a couple of seasons ago with singer Nicole Scherzinger and dancing professional Derek Hough dancing the Argentine Tango. Keep in mind, it is a dancing competition so it is much more flashy than a regular dance.

          With shows like these and other media outlets, dance styles like the tango will never be forgotten.  Even now, they are using the tango to take on other sources of social media. There is an application for phones and tablets called "Tango" where you can play games while on the phone with your friends and text/call/or video chat for free. It really has nothing to do with the musical style just borrowed the name. To learn more about the app click here.

          The tango started in the early 1900s and has lasted until today. It has been passed down through generations of families by playing it in the car and in the house and also by dancing to it. It started out as just music and people started dancing to it. Now, it is seen on television and in movies along with being played on the radio whether it be the original or artists that borrow the rhythm for their songs. The tango is known all over the world and even though everyone does not know how to dance it, they know what it is. The tango started out in the slums of Buenos Aires and somehow landed in the hearts of people all over the world. If that isn't crossing borders, I don't know what is. The tango can really speak for itself when you watch it. It is romantic and sensual but it can be fun or it can be violent. Everyone interprets art and songs very differently and this blog is how I interpret the tango. It is much more than just a dance but it has proven to me to be a lifestyle.