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 comes from how tango was originally danced; which was out on the streets, for the tango at that time was the dance of the poor. They had less access to venues to tango and less boundaries. And so these influences created a culture which accepted many things, including dancing in the streets.
But in the early 1900s, tango was changed forever by the advent of European immigration. One of the outcomes of this cultural shift was that it became unacceptable for women to dance on the streets. The proximity of men and women in public was considered to be a scandal - even touching slightly, let alone embracing. Many women, especially the young, were not allowed to go to practicas or milongas, except if accompanied with their parents. However men being men, they still wanted do what they wanted to do-- men wanted to dance! A certain percentage of the men went to venues where it was acceptable to dance, but many others - due to limited means or access - had no option other than to continue dancing in the streets. At that point, if a man wanted to dance in the street, there was not much choice; his only option was to dance with other men, which is precisely what occurred.
Dancing was seen as a way to a woman's heart. And since men majorly outnumbered women in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, competition was fierce and every edge counted. So young men could tune their skills for a long time by going to men-only practicas until they were ready to enter the couple floor where only the good dancers tango-ed. So this reinforced the need for male-only dancing. By first watching, then learning how to follow and then (when he was good enough) lead with a another young man, a male would then be taken 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 comes from how tango was originally danced; which was out on the streets, for the tango at that time was the dance of the poor. They had less access to venues to tango and less boundaries. And so these influences created a culture which accepted many things, including dancing in the streets.
But in the early 1900s, tango was changed forever by the advent of European immigration. One of the outcomes of this cultural shift was that it became unacceptable for women to dance on the streets. The proximity of men and women in public was considered to be a scandal - even touching slightly, let alone embracing. Many women, especially the young, were not allowed to go to practicas or milongas, except if accompanied with their parents. However men being men, they still wanted do what they wanted to do-- men wanted to dance! A certain percentage of the men went to venues where it was acceptable to dance, but many others - due to limited means or access - had no option other than to continue dancing in the streets. At that point, if a man wanted to dance in the street, there was not much choice; his only option was to dance with other men, which is precisely what occurred.
Dancing was seen as a way to a woman's heart. And since men majorly outnumbered women in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s, competition was fierce and every edge counted. So young men could tune their skills for a long time by going to men-only practicas until they were ready to enter the couple floor where only the good dancers tango-ed. So this reinforced the need for male-only dancing. By first watching, then learning how to follow and then (when he was good enough) lead with a another young man, a male would then be taken 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 and Melanie have been dancing, teaching, creating and developing amazing choreography for over 30 years. The run NYC's top-notch 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.
