subject: The Milongas of Buenos Aires, Cathedrals of the Tango [print this page] The Milongas of Buenos Aires, Cathedrals of the Tango
One experience that no tourist visiting Buenos Aires for the first time should miss is going to see a tango show. These productions worthy of Broadway will leave a powerful and lasting impression in the minds of visitors. However, to discover the true essence of the tango, you must look to the "Milongas."
Milongas are night spots where locals and tango lovers from all over the world come together to dance, listen to live music, take dance lessons, socialise and fan the flames of one of the most intense musical passions of our time. They are a hybrid of disco, social club, variety show and pub, creating a total that is greater than the sum of its parts.
These are true Cathedrals of the tango; places where the most intimate traditions of this deep manifestation of Argentine popular culture are preserved, passed down and transformed. If that sounds like the sort of place for you, then there are a couple of Milongas off the beaten path that you simply must visit on your next trip to Buenos Aires:
Firstly, there's La Catedral. Imagine walking into an old factory decorated from floor to ceiling with art made from all sorts of objects, candlelit tables of every kind, ramshackle chairs of many different sizes and a wooden dance floor capped off with tiny red lights, where tango dancers from every corner of the world embrace each other. This is La Catedral. It is a magical place where anything can happen, like seeing a live tango improvisation, or watching cats mill around amongst the dancers, or being astounded by a Japanese couple who seem to have discovered all the secrets of the tango overnight. Although it is open on the weekends, Tuesday is the best day to immerse yourself in this strange, poetic and indispensable Milonga. Purists need not attend.
While the Antiques Fair at Dorrego Square is one of the best places to live and breathe the tango on Sundays, at night it is transformed into one of the city's most popular Milongas. The Milonga takes place in the plaza itself, where a special dance floor is set up under the trees and a garland of colourful lights. The night begins with the tango and then moves on to Argentine folk music, salsa and other popular dance rhythms. It is the perfect place to spend a summer evening with friends, go dancing or simply enjoy the artistry of professional, amateur or learner tango dancers, joined together for the sole purpose of dancing the night away as if they were on the back patio at a friend's house.
One of the best times of the year to enjoy the tango and the Milongas of Buenos Aires is during the Tango World Championship, when most of the Milongas present special shows and attractions. During this event, which literally takes over the whole city, the hotels in Buenos Aires tend to be completely booked, so it is recommended that you plan your trip several months in advance.
Daniel Collins writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
