Photo credit to Claudio (Tangoblivian) 2009

If you’re in the city at the moment, you may have noticed a huge influx of tourists and locals alike carrying tango shoe bags, spilling out from old buildings after classes and practicing boleos by bus stops. Okay, maybe not the boleos, but cafes will be filled with more people talking volcadas and sacadas than any other time of the year.

The Tango Festival and World Championships has already kicked off here in Buenos Aires, meaning the city is extra full of the tango spark. Running from the 10th August until the 23rd August, this year’s event is full of free concerts, performances, milongas, classes and of course, the Mundial de Tango - where hundreds of dancers from all over the world come to compete for the crown of World Champions.

There are two categories for the World Championship - traditional tango salon in which the dance is improvised as what normally happens at a milonga; and escenario which is choreographed stage tango as you see when you head to a tango show. Both categories offer fantastic insight into the different faces of tango. 

The festival also has its own product fair where you can buy shoes and clothes, allowing you to browse some of the city’s best specialists all in one place.

While not the easiest to navigate, here you have the official website with the program. You can search by place (easy to find things happening near you), day by day or venues. The English button is on the top right hand corner if you don’t feel like practicing your spanish.

http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/2017/tangofestivalymundial/es/home

Need some recommendations to start you off?

DANCE

Natacha Poberaj is a former World Champion, winning the 2007 championship while 7 or 8 months pregnant. Gallego Manolo dances canyengue style tango which is a playful style of tango which was a ‘street’ style of dance used around the 1900s.

http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/2017/tangofestivalymundial/en/evento&title=Gallego%20Manolo%20y%20Natacha%20Poberaj

It goes without saying that getting tickets to the Final or Semi Finals is well worth the effort but these usually are sold out very quickly. If you feel like seeing some great shows, head along to a milonga to see some wonderful artists performing.

http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/2017/tangofestivalymundial/en/schedule&names=Glorias%20del%20Baile%20por%20las%20Milongas

MUSIC

Esteban Morgado Cuarteto is an internationally renowned tango guitarist who will be performing a wide variety of works for people to enjoy

http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/2017/tangofestivalymundial/en/evento&title=Esteban%20Morgado%20Cuarteto

And if you are a Piazzolla fan, you are in for a treat! There are several ensembles taking on this master’s work over the 19th, 20th and 21st August. Be sure to check out at least one of these great acts.

http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/2017/tangofestivalymundial/en/schedule&names=Suite%20Piazzolla