Hispan ≈ Aires Spanish School offers you another important opportunity for your complete immersion in the Spanish language.

As a complement to your Spanish classes at Hispan ≈ Aires, we offer you to learn the most traditional dance in Buenos Aires, ¡Tango! You will have the possibility to take private or group classes in one of the most famous places in Buenos Aires or in the school with professional teachers. Come with us to the most traditional dancing rooms in Buenos Aires, called “milongas”!

Another very traditional dance is possible for your full Spanish Immersion at Hispan Aires! Come and join folklore classes with funny and professional people teaching the basic steps of such popular dance.

Tango was born by the end of 1800 around the Río de la Plata area and also in two different cities, Montevideo (Uruguay) and Buenos Aires (Argentina), related to African ancestors through the slaves´ words who were regaining their freedom (1813).

Loneliness of the “criollos” and millions of immigrants who by the end of the last century arrived to Buenos Aires Port merge into Tango. It was born as something related to brothels and also as a dance, and some time after sung tango appeared. Till 1916 men used to dance tango together while they spent their time at brothels waiting for a woman. Most of the pain and sadness tango songs reflect has to do with the feeling of distance immigrants had and who came to this small portion of America to look for a living and a job. Machismo appeared spontaneously and with a lot of strength after this situation in the Río de la Plata.

Nostalgia about love is very common in tango. Its origin is also related African and Spanish roots. Tango is also related to Cuban habanera and Andalusian tango. Three important facts are linked to tango: the construction of the new port of Buenos Aires (1870), the end of Paraguay War (1871) and the Federalization of Buenos Aires (1880).

Tango was born in 1860. That time suburbs had a big percentage of male population: unemployed soldiers, country people and lonely immigrants. Industry was considered marginal in a country that just like Argentina set its basis on agriculture and cattle raising. In this population labor people are also included. Tango was born in brothel and marginal environment. At the beginning it was danced by men who danced together before staying with a woman in a brothel. One of the most popular tenderloins in the city was one situated on “Calle del Pecado” o “del Aroma”, where the Public Health Ministry lies nowadays. It is on 9 de Julio Avenue and Moreno Street. Till 1912 there was a first period that was prohibited and linked to sexual life. It was only from the May Revolution Centenary (1810) onwards when tango started to become more popularized. The Marchi Baron (Italian Nobility man) was the one who introduced tango into society. He did it at Palais de Glace. The place can be visited nowadays since the building is still in the neighborhood of Recoleta. It belongs to National Exhibition Rooms, belonging to our National Culture Secretary. The coming of a popular government in 1916 as it was Hipólito Yrigoyen’s contributed for the tango to be protagonist.

Cabarets became other selected places for tango, and they acted as a transformer element of orchestras. Requirements changed, the public was better and with this kind of public there were more exigencies. It was then when great typical orchestras appeared. Tango started to be accepted and included in home meetings. Girls started to study piano and the different scores. Another place for tango was the “conventillo” (1900). It was a kind a house where the different immigrants used to live. From 1935 onwards the cinema became another way for tango diffusion, as well as the radio (live tango orchestras) and after this television and literature. Although nowadays there are not exact numbers about how many tangos exist, it is estimated that there are about 50,000.

Milongas in Buenos Aires

Dance tango in Buenos Aires, Hispan ≈ Aires Spanish School recommends you some milongas, where sometimes you can enjoy tango shows or excellent orchestras playing the best tangos. Prices at milongas are very accessible. Use this excellent opportunity to enjoy more of the argentine culture and practice your Spanish.

· El Arranque – Bartolomé Mitre 1759 – Buenos Aires – Phone: 4371-6767

· Salón Canning – Scalabrini Ortiz 1331 – Buenos Aires – Phone: 4832 6753

· La Nacional – Adolfo Alsina 1465 – Buenos Aires – Phone: 4307-0146

· Confitería Ideal – Suipacha 384 1º Piso – Buenos Aires – Phone: 5265-8069

· Club Villa Malcolm – Av. Córdoba 5064 – Buenos Aires – Phone: 4776-6664

· Viejo Correo – Av. Díaz Vélez 4820 - Buenos Aires – Phone:4958-0364

· Sabor a Tango – Pte. Perón 2543 - Buenos Aires – Phone: 4952-0300

· El Beso – Riobamba 416 - Buenos Aires – Phone: 4953-2794

· Porteño y Bailarín – Riobamba 345 - Buenos Aires – Phone: 4372-6080

· Dandi – Piedras 936 - Buenos Aires – Phone: 4307-6780

· Club Gricel – La Rioja 1180 - Buenos Aires – Phone: 4957-7157

· La Viruta Tango – Armenia 1366 Subsuelo - Buenos Aires – Phone: 4774-6357

Spanish and Tango

Hispan ≈ Aires Spanish School offers you some tango lyrics to practice your Spanish!