Saturday night tango in Buenos
Having looked at a few ads for tango shows and not knowing which one to choose, we were wandering aimlessly down a cobbled road and saw a book shop. Being a book nerd of the highest order, I felt compelled to go in. Imagine our surprise when from nowhere a little old man opened some red curtains at the back of the shop and showed us a little restaurant and a stage all ready for Saturday nights dinner and tango show. Done deal – tickets bought (well a handwritten scrap of paper) and 2 of the available 20 chairs booked.
At 9pm we turned up for “the show” not knowing what to expect at all. Through the bookshop, through the red curtain into a dimly lit restaurant we went, where the stage lit up in red lights. In total we were 14 people who enjoyed a magnificent show of one singer, two musicians and two tango dancers. The singer looked similar to Klitschko, the same physique in an aubergine coloured suit, ever so slightly tight in a few specific areas 👀
His more than overly shiny shoes shone brightly as he belted out his dramatic ballads, his teeth out shining his shoes, his lungs about to burst in the ever so slightly tight suit.
The musicians equally dramatic, the intense look on their faces, one playing a guitar, the other a bandoneon, the typical tango accompaniment.
For the most part, they had their eyes closed, their expressions reflecting the pain or delight in interchanging chords.
And then of course, the tango couple, obviously equally intense and dramatic pulling and lifting and pushing each other around the floor – that embarassing interlude when they ask members of the 14 audience to dance…..why me? I had to refuse, I would’ve looked ridiculous – 2 people accepted and they could obviously tango (remind me to get some lessons on the off chance I should return to Buenos Aires).
After the finale, we were able to speak to the singer , musicians and dancers (well if you could speak Spanish). I did however say to the dancer that I could not tango and he did that beautiful South American Kiss Kiss thing on the cheeks (maybe he thought I was asking for a quick snog 👄👄!!!!)
Great evening – Buenos Aires – the place to tango.
