History of Latino Dance Styles
Tango is a partner style dance from Buenos Aires, Argentina, that originated in the 1800’s when an influx of European immigrants arrived there. It is usually dance in 4/4 time, consisting of slow and quick graceful steps, along with sliding and gliding of both feet. Tango evolved from a mix of Cuban and Argentine traditional dance styles, along with some African and European musical elements. Most of the European immigrants were men seeking a better life by escaping war and economic difficulty in their home countries. They would try dancing with the few women around in venues, such bars, dance halls, and brothels. By the 1900's, dancers, musicians, and wealthy men from Buenos Aires traveled and introduced the tango to cities in Europe, and the dance soon also reached America and Finland. It was considered quite shocking and sensual, but overtime it evolved into being seen as an elegant and stylish dance. The popularity of Tango went through a decline in the 1950's, as dance venues in Argentina were closed and public gatherings were forbidden due to the Argentina’s military dictatorship disregard for it. Fortunately, people would continue practicing Tango in private and smaller dance venues, so it never truly died down, and today it has spread to various parts of the world, where many variations of the dance have developed.