Tango

"Although many different interpretations have appeared, at no time have these deviated  from the theme of a partnership in which the man is dominant."    Tango originated in the lower-class bars and brothels of Buenos Ares,  Argentina at the very end of the 19'th century. At this time Buenos Ares  was a thriving city and was described as 'The most European City in the  New World'. Rich Argentinian families would send their sons to Europe  for their education. These young men brought the Tango with them to  Paris where it was an instant success in the period immediate preceeding  World War 1. The European tango has adapted and changed to the dancers  and their environment, eventually becoming the 'International Style'  Tango.    The International Tango is best described as  'fierce' in character, and an intensely powerful dance incorporating  frequent sharp snaps and twists, where it may appear that the woman is  nearly about to be broken in two by the powerful man. But in fact this  is the 'softest' of the standard dances, where there is no force  exchanged between partners and the speed that is felt is much, much less  than that which is seen.  ​ Tango music is written  primarily in 4/4 time, and in competitions is played at a tempo of 33  measures per minute, but tempos from 28-34 are common socially. There  are three distinct 'Tango's in the US today, the 'International' also  called the British competitive style, the 'Argentine' which is closest  to the original tango of the early 20'th century, and the 'American'  which can fairly be described as 'somewhere in-between the two'.