TEN THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT TANGO

1. Tango originated in 19th century Buenos Aires against a background of unemployment in the huge immigrant community.

2. 50% of the immigrants were Italian rather than Spanish.

3. The male immigrants outnumbered the women by 50:1

4. Due to the shortage of women, the men had to teach each other to Tango and to practice together.

5. Tango became a vehicle for political protest among the disenfranchised and was banned by the authorities on the grounds of being politically seditious.

6. Tango was forced underground to be danced in the bordellos of Buenos Aires.

7. Tango reached Europe just before WW1 and was soon banned by the Pope.

8. The Bandoneon, often described as “The Soul of Tango”, is a squeeze-box type accordion originally from Germany, where it was invented as a substitute for a Church organ in poorer parishes.

9. In Tango, the lead passes back and forth between the man and the woman. The man may offer the lead to the woman. It is her decision to accept or reject it. The woman may also seize the lead from the man. He must then devise a means of regaining it and restoring his machismo.

10. A male Tango dancer is called a Milonguero; from the word Milonga - a forerunner of the Tango and a place where Tango is danced. A female Tango dancer is called a Tanguera. A Tanguero is simply a male Tango enthusiast, who may or may not himself dance.