Tango Storytime: Heaven and Hell

Tango Storytime: Heaven and Hell

"Will they dance with me?"

This is the silent question that echoes in the mind of every dancer landing in Buenos Aires for the first time.

In my thirty years of teaching, I have met many fascinating people. Recently, I worked with a talented young woman during her first pilgrimage to the city. She is a beginner, but she carries an ambition so fresh and inspiring that it reminds me why I fell in love with this dance.

She confessed her fear to me:

"I thought no one would dance with me because the level here is so high. I figured my level was too low in comparison, and that I would just end up hanging out alone until it was time to leave."

She had predicted this "Hell" because of her experience back home—a famous tango city where so-called "advanced" dancers were anything but welcoming.

Me: "So, how has it been going so far?"

Her: "Well, there's this WhatsApp group. They are always saying, 'This milonga is at this level,' or 'That one is too formal.' They mentioned Friday at El Beso—Bravita. They said it’s strictly for advanced dancers. I thought, 'Oh my God, that is not the place for me to start.' But I went anyway because people kept telling me I should. And you know what? It was fine. I found people who actually wanted to dance with me. I noticed that what is considered a 'high level' at home is just normal here."

How did she find "Heaven" in a place she feared would be "Hell"?

• Curiosity: She was more interested in the experience than her own fear.

• Low Expectations: Since she didn't expect a "win," she stayed relaxed.

• Approachability: She smiled and was happy to connect with people.

• Youthful Energy: She brought a vitality that dancers find magnetic.

But what about the Hell? Almost at the same time, another young lady landed in Buenos Aires for the first time. She was asking herself the same question. A mutual friend introduced us at a milonga and, of course, I asked her to dance.

It was a beautiful surprise. I could feel her dedication and her deep love for the dance in her embrace. It was truly delightful to dance with her. You would guess that she danced all night, right?

No.

I watched her at every milonga where we crossed paths, and she didn't dance.

Why? I can almost hear her "teachers" back home telling her that what she was doing was not "right." I felt the pressure of a community more worried about her "level" than her love for dancing. That weight was dragging her down, making her invisible to the floor. It stopped her from feeling the curiosity and the joy that the first dancer possessed.

Buenos Aires can be the Heaven of Tango or the Hell of Tango. The difference is often who you have by your side.

You are not alone. It would be my pleasure to be your guide in Buenos Aires and make your trip unforgettable.

Visit my Tango Concierge:

https://tangocoffeeandchocolate.com/tango-experience