The myth of how men started dancing tango with men has two variations; both around the theme of bordellos. The first variation relies on the boredom factor, while men were waiting to be 'serviced' they had nothing else to do other than to refine their dancing skills. The second variation (only slightly less fanciful) has bordellos providing the waiting men with tango bands for their casual dancing amusement, while they waited. The sad truth is that while both variations undoubtedly did happen, it does not account for the large numbers of men who danced together, nor for the wide-scale acceptance of same-sex dancing, which is quite rare in other dancing 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.
Another reason could be that dancing was seen as a means to a woman's heart. And this was especially important since men majorly outnumbered women in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s. So because of that, competition was fierce. Young men could tune their skills for a while by going to men-only practicas until they were good enough to go to couples' milongas. By first watching, then learning how to follow and eventually learning how to lead, a male would then be taken to a milonga for an arranged dance with a woman.
Tango was considered immoral by the upper class and authorities so much that there was a formal initiative to close all cafes and ban tango music from being played. For example, there was a law in 1916 passed in Buenos Aires that banned dancing between men in establishments. This resulted in even further reducing access to couples dancing tango, so if men wanted to tango, they had to do it with each other.
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.
Another reason could be that dancing was seen as a means to a woman's heart. And this was especially important since men majorly outnumbered women in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s. So because of that, competition was fierce. Young men could tune their skills for a while by going to men-only practicas until they were good enough to go to couples' milongas. By first watching, then learning how to follow and eventually learning how to lead, a male would then be taken to a milonga for an arranged dance with a woman.
Tango was considered immoral by the upper class and authorities so much that there was a formal initiative to close all cafes and ban tango music from being played. For example, there was a law in 1916 passed in Buenos Aires that banned dancing between men in establishments. This resulted in even further reducing access to couples dancing tango, so if men wanted to tango, they had to do it with each other.
About the Author:
Tony and Melanie have been choreographing, educating, performing and composing fantastic choreography for over three decades. The run NYC's premier dance center. If you are want to know more history of any dances make sure you check out their website. They are now teaching dance lessons in NYC.
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