In the early days of the Tango, it was danced in brothels, to the music of violins, flutes and guitars. As the style of dance became more popular, ballroom dances for men (many of these men were men who were away from their wives for long periods of time, such as sailors, although men of all classes and profession were known to frequent these dances) were organized. The Tango grew from these humble beginnings to a mainstream style of dance in Argentina, and in time, every day women began performing the dance.

The Tango is a complicated dance, with foot movements for every beat of the music. It is definitely a sexual dance, meant for partners, with the man leading the seducing woman around the dance floor.

Argentine Tango is quite different from the American version. For one thing, the posture is entirely different. The movements, steps, and even the music of the Argentine Tango are unlike any other form of Tango. If the first style of Tango you learn is American, you will basically have to learn an entirely new style of dancing.

The American Tango is the easiest of all the Tangos. Having evolved from the Argentine Tango, the American version is similar, but is evolving to include influences of other dance styles, including the paso doble.

The Tango is still highly popular, and celebrated in Argentina. There are thousands of people enjoying the dance today, and each year on December 11, Tango Day is celebrated in Argentina. If you are interested in learning more about Argentina and the Tango, including dance classes and festivals, you can do so by visiting City of Buenos Aires’ official website at www.tangodata.gov.ar/ingles.

Meanwhile, who want to be my date to the show?

Few things are more Argentine than Tango, steak, wine (and mullets?) so to celebrate the launch of TangoTix.com we are hosting the “I Can Haz Tango Show?” Contest, where you can win all three! Help us get the word out, and you can win two tickets to a Tango dinner show in Buenos Aires (and you’ll definitely get a link back from us). Yay!!

It’s easy to enter — simply write a post on your blog linking to the three tango shows on TangoTix.com you most want to see and drop us a line with the URL of your post. The winner will be picked at random on camera on January 18, 2010 (the day I get back from Brazil!) and announced right here.

Examples of links to shows: La Ventana Tango Show, Juan Tango, El Viejo Almacén
A list of all the tango show pages: Buenos Aires Tango Shows

“I Can Haz Tango Show?” Contest Details

1. The winner will receive two tickets to the Tango Show of their choice on the date of their choice.  If you’re not in Buenos Aires, you’ll get a $150 gift certificate to TangoTix.com and it’s your responsibility to get your butt down here in the next 365 days!  The contest is open worldwide.
2. To enter, write a post on your site that contains links to 3 shows on TangoTix.com. We’d also love to hear your reasons for linking to each show and ask that you please use descriptive phrases in your links like “La Ventana Tango Show” rather than “link.” Feel free to use our contest graphic!
3. Drop us a line at icanhaztango@tangotix.com to let us know about your entry.
4. Entries are due on January 17, 2010 and all entrants will receive a link back from the results page on January 18, 2010. The winner will be chosen at random from a hat (really), on camera.
5. I’ll contact the winner by email on January 19th, and they will have a week to acknowledge that I exist, otherwise we’re doing the hat thingy again.

Now for some quick acknowledgments. First, to Lucy for managing the contest (gracias!!), and to icanhascheezburger for hours of fun. Also, to escalepade on Flickr for the fantastic tango photography, luckily under CC.

And lastly, I would really appreciate your participation and your help in spreading the word!  Thank you!