Dance Styles at Dance Manhattan

The largest offering of Argentine Tango dance classes and lessons in NYC, the Dance Manhattan program features 22 weekly group dance classes, 5 weekly practicas and NYC's longest running Tango Salon (LUNA), the original learn-in-a-day TANGO CRASH Course, and a variety of monthly workshops taught by our talented instructors and acclaimed guest artists. Here is an introduction to the Argentine dances...

There is a family of three dances from Argentina: Tango, Milonga and Waltz. They have similar step patterns but the rhythm of each is different. Milonga and Waltz are lighter, happier and faster than tango. The rhythm of the Milonga is like a syncopated march and it is danced in a very close embrace, chest to chest. Waltz is danced in ½ time.

Milonga Video-Robin Thomas & partner, Kyla Mares

Argentine Waltz ("Vals") Video-Jorge Torres & partner, Mariela Franganillo

More than just a dance, Tango is a way of moving. It is a passionate and sensual communication between two people, a way of interpreting the music, of moving together, of expressing feelings.

Argentine Tango Video-Rebecca Shulman & Evan Griffiths

Tango was born in Buenos Aires at the beginning of the last century. Originally developed by the poor immigrants in the ports, as their way of expressing loneliness, frustration, desire and energy, it was seen by the rest of the world as dangerous.

A close embrace, legs often entwined - a dance of passion.

Tango was popularized in the 1920's when some of the great tango songs were written, and various big tango orchestras started. It became socially acceptable and many young people started dancing it in ballrooms and at tea dances, both in Buenos Aires, and Paris. Now it is danced all over the world. Tango music can be slow and soulful, or fast and fun. It is beautiful to listen to, but even better to dance to!

Tango is improvised, so there are no sequences of steps that each dancer must laboriously learn by rote. Instead, they must learn to communicate with each other throughout the dance. Since it is improvised, one person must be in charge of leading the couple, deciding on the direction, and the beat, and what step to do next. He indicates to her where he wants her to go, and they both take the step. This doesn't mean the follower is passive. She has to let the man lead her, listen with her body to what he is asking for, and be ready and balanced to execute any step as soon as he asks her to, without anticipating the next one.

At times, it feels like you are meditating with your partner, moving to the music together.

Argentine Tango Video-Valeria Solomonoff & Jorge Torres

All you need to learn to dance Tango is the ability to walk, listen to the music and listen to your partner - and some patience!

See the breakdown of days/times/levels for all the Argentine dances by viewing the study guide or the CLASS SCHEDULE section of this website.