Many myths surround how men started dancing tango with one another. For example, one myth is that while men were waiting to be "serviced," they had nothing else to do but refine the dancing skills. Another myth is that the bordellos provided a tango band for the waiting men for their amusement. But while both probably happened, it doesn't count for the large numbers of men who dance together or the wide scale acceptance of same-sex dancing that is quite rare in other cultures.
The first reason derives from where tango was initially danced. It must be remembered that tango, foremost, was the dance of the poor, the underprivileged - the 'lower class'. This group of people had less access to venues where tango was danced, and furthermore had less cultural 'finesses' or boundaries. As a result of these influences there evolved a culture in which it was acceptable for tango to be danced in the streets. Hence even before tango was danced between men, we must imagine in our minds a culture where it was quite common for couples to dance out in the open.
European immigration in the early 1900s forever changed the way people tango-ed. One of these changes was that it became unacceptable for women to dance in the streets. Also, the proximity of men and women in public together was a scandal. Many young women weren't even allowed to go to milongas unless accompanied by their parents. But there were many men who did not have access to go to these milongas so they had no other option than to continue dancing in the streets. So if a man wanted to dance in the streets there was no choice but to dance with other men.
The second reason for same-sex dancing is the fact that dancing was seen as a means to a woman's heart. This was further exacerbated by the fact that men outnumbered women in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, so competition was fierce, and every edge counted. From this perspective, the fact that men could dance with men away from women was actually an advantage: young men could tune their skills for a long time by going to men-only practicas, until they were ready and confident to enter the floor of couples - where inevitably only very good dancers were accepted. This further reinforced the need for male-only dancing. It should be noted that the process for a man to learn tango would first start with the man going to a practica, and watching. Eventually one of the older men would teach him how to follow. Then when he was proficient, he would be promoted to leading another young man. Normally it would take about a year until a man was promoted to start leading. Then, when the man was ready - and this took often 3 years! - he would finally be escorted with another more experienced man to a milonga for an arranged dance with a woman.
The third reason is that tango was considered immoral by the upper class and the authorities so much that there was a formal initiative to close all cafes and ban tango music from being played in the streets. So this of course reduced access to couples dancing tango so men had to dance with each other if they wanted to tango.
The first reason derives from where tango was initially danced. It must be remembered that tango, foremost, was the dance of the poor, the underprivileged - the 'lower class'. This group of people had less access to venues where tango was danced, and furthermore had less cultural 'finesses' or boundaries. As a result of these influences there evolved a culture in which it was acceptable for tango to be danced in the streets. Hence even before tango was danced between men, we must imagine in our minds a culture where it was quite common for couples to dance out in the open.
European immigration in the early 1900s forever changed the way people tango-ed. One of these changes was that it became unacceptable for women to dance in the streets. Also, the proximity of men and women in public together was a scandal. Many young women weren't even allowed to go to milongas unless accompanied by their parents. But there were many men who did not have access to go to these milongas so they had no other option than to continue dancing in the streets. So if a man wanted to dance in the streets there was no choice but to dance with other men.
The second reason for same-sex dancing is the fact that dancing was seen as a means to a woman's heart. This was further exacerbated by the fact that men outnumbered women in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, so competition was fierce, and every edge counted. From this perspective, the fact that men could dance with men away from women was actually an advantage: young men could tune their skills for a long time by going to men-only practicas, until they were ready and confident to enter the floor of couples - where inevitably only very good dancers were accepted. This further reinforced the need for male-only dancing. It should be noted that the process for a man to learn tango would first start with the man going to a practica, and watching. Eventually one of the older men would teach him how to follow. Then when he was proficient, he would be promoted to leading another young man. Normally it would take about a year until a man was promoted to start leading. Then, when the man was ready - and this took often 3 years! - he would finally be escorted with another more experienced man to a milonga for an arranged dance with a woman.
The third reason is that tango was considered immoral by the upper class and the authorities so much that there was a formal initiative to close all cafes and ban tango music from being played in the streets. So this of course reduced access to couples dancing tango so men had to dance with each other if they wanted to tango.
About the Author:
Tony Meredith and Melanie LaPatin have been dancing, teaching, creating and developing fantastic choreography for over thirty years. The run New York City's premier dance center. If you are want to know more history of any dances make sure you check out their site. They are now teaching dance lessons in NYC.
