TANGO classes in medellin

Tango dancing has long been popular in Medellin, Colombia.

Here is some basic information about tango, to get you started:

  • Social events for dancing tango are often referred to as “milongas”.

  • There are many styles of tango dancing. Among them are Argentine Tango, Ballroom Tango, Salon Tango, Tango Nuevo, Finnish Tango, Uruguayan Tango, Tango Apilado and Show Tango.

  • Some of the top tango artists include Carlos Gardel, Anibal Troilo, Astor Piazzolla, Azucena Maizani, Carlos Saura, Casimiro Ain, Juan Carlos Copes, Gotan Project, Horacio Ferrer and Osvaldo Pugliese.

  • Tango instruments include the guitar, violin, flute, piano, double bass (also known as the upright bass or acoustic bass) and bandoneon (an accordion-like instrument).

  • Tango dancing originated in the 1880’s along the Río de la Plata, the border between Argentina and Uruguay, and has influences from African, Native American and European culture.

  • The words "tango" and "tambo" were initially used to refer to musical gatherings of slaves.

  • Medellin’s connection to tango is largely due to Carlos Gardel, considered the world’s most famous tango singer, who tragically passed away as a result of a plane crash in Medellin in 1935.

  • Medellin has an extremely high level of tango dancing, which can be seen at its local tango competitions and by the presence of Medellin’s professional tango dancers at Tango BA Festival y Mundial, the world-renowned international tango competition that takes place each year in Buenos Aires, Argentina. More information can be found about Tango BA on the website of the city of Buenos Aires at buenosaires.gob.ar/cultura/.

  • One of the most important tango events takes place in the month of June of each year in Medellín, Colombia. It is called the “Festival internacional de Tango de Medellín” (International Medellin Tango Festival) and is organized by the Alcaldía de Medellín (Medellin Mayor’s Office). More information can be found on the website for the Alcaldía de Medellín at www.medellin.gov.co/es/eventos/.

DANCEFREE offers private tango classes, in person in Medellin, Colombia, and online via Zoom and Google Meet. Our in-person classes are 7 days a week and our online classes are on weekdays only, subject to availability. We have experienced tango instructors and teach students of all levels, from new (no experience) to expert. If you would like to take private tango classes, click here to view the steps for beginning private classes.