5 Myths of Tango

Argentine tango is often portrayed as a dance between couples driven by attraction and sensuality. However, it is deeply rooted in a close-knit community of musicians, professional and social dancers, composers, choreographers, activists, event and fashion designers, teachers, and students who interact both inside and outside of the milongas (social dance gatherings). Additionally, you don't need a partner to attend a milonga or dance hall, as it is customary to dance with multiple partners. 

Tango is often viewed as an expression of 20th-century hypermasculinity, patriarchy, and chauvinism, where women’s bodies are led, controlled, or subdued due to the traditional roles in the dance of men as leaders and women as followers. However, feminist and LGBTQ movements are transforming these norms. Today, it is not uncommon for women to lead and men to follow, for partners to switch roles, or for same-gender partners to dance together. 

While tango today continues to celebrate the golden age of the 1930s and 40s, it is far from an imitation. Contemporary artists take the essence of the genre and blend it with other styles to appeal to modern audiences, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and even electronic music. Additionally, today’s artists address current societal issues, with new poets writing about inequality and poverty, and movements like Queer Tango and the "Movimiento Feminista del Tango" (MTF) or Tango Feminist Movement,  pushing the boundaries of tradition.

Although tango has its roots in the Rio de la Plata region and is a significant part of the tourist industry in Buenos Aires, it has achieved global recognition and popularity. Many of the artists and groups driving the genre forward are based outside Argentina, in cities like New York, Berlin and Tokyo. 

The media often depicts tango as a dance for young, slim couples. However, tango can be enjoyed by people of all ages and body types, as long as they have a willingness to learn. In fact, tango is often used as physical therapy for individuals with Parkinson's disease, as it emphasizes subtlety, focus, and elegance rather than excessive physical movement.