Tango Instruction in Boston

First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between the Argentine and Ballroom forms of Tango. In the US, there are two forms of Ballroom tango, usually called "American Style" and "International Style." Neither of these Ballroom styles is the Argentine Tango, and these are thus outside the scope of the activities of the Tango Society of Boston, which focusses strictly on the Argentine Tango.

The Argentine Tango is the original Tango that originated in Argentina in the early part of the 20th century, and has a grace, subtlety and visual appeal (and yes, difficulty too) that its followers firmly believe transcends the Ballroom forms of the Tango. The Argentine Tango is not formally standardized, and so you see different sub-styles and schools. However, they all share a certain common or "mainstream" technique that has become sufficiently established in Argentine Tango circles that Tango dancers all over the world can generally dance comfortably with each other. 

You will still, however, find at least two main categories of Argentine Tango teaching: Salon and Fantasia. Salon Tango is the social Tango for the dance floor, that is solidly based on leading and following, and for appropriateness on the social dance floor. Fantasia, as its name suggests, is Tango for the stage, and is generally only appropriate for the stage (although elements of fantasia can often be incorporated, with some reduction in flamboyance, in salon Tango). 

All instruction or workshops offered by the Tango Society is strictly Salon Tango. The Tango Society offers two types of instruction:

1. Every Wednesday evening, from 7:00 till 11:45 p.m., we present our "Argentine Tango Dance Break," held at Springstep, 98 George P. Hassett Drive in Medford Square. There is an introductory class from 7:00 till 8:00, intermediate class from 8:00 till 9:00, followed by dancing from 9:00 till 11:45.  Occasionally, we offer special series on Wednesdays with an artist-in-residence.  Please check the Calendar area of this website for updates.
   
   Admission cost:$8 for members, $10 for non-members (prices vary when artist-in-residence or other special events take place on Wednesdays). Students receive a 50% discount with valid ID.  Casual dress, no partner necessary. For more information, check the Boston Tango Calendar™, or call TangoLine™ at 617-699-6246. 

 
2. On the third weekend of every month, the Tango Society brings in the leading Tango teachers in the world, usually from Argentina, for a major weekend Tango workshop. Our standards are high, and we only bring teachers with an established international reputation. See the Special Events section for upcoming workshops, and also for some examples of workshops we've had in the past.

For professional instruction on a regular basis, there are several teachers teaching Argentine Tango in the area, both privately and in group classes, with widely varying styles and experience levels. Links with information about local area instructors can be found through the Our Favourite Links area of this website. The Tango Society does not recommend or endorse specific teachers--for those who wish advice on how to select a teacher, we suggest the following general guidelines (which are really "common sense" guidelines that could apply to selecting any teacher for any activity):

• Attend Tango dances such as the Wednesday Tango Dance breaks, and ask the better dancers, or those whose dancing you admire, for their opinions. Most local teachers also have their flyers out at our "flyer table" at the Wednesday Tango Dance breaks.
• Talk to the teachers and attend a sample class.
• Ask about the Tango and Dance backgrounds of the teachers (do they teach full- or part-time? from whom did they learn Tango and how extensively? how much "continuing education" do they do in Tango and from whom?).
• Ask about the emphasis of their classes (do they teach salon or fantasia? do they emphasize solid technique or just steps?).