Why are you called Tango 178?

Tango 178’s first venue was at Cafe 178 on the New Cross Road. We enjoyed the ring of the 8…It’s a very tango number!

What is Argentine tango?

Argentine tango is a social dance that’s entirely improvised. It’s the only popular dance that is danced as a journey around a space, always anticlockwise. It is known for the amazing connection it creates between the couple: one who leads and the other who follows.

Why learn Argentine tango?

It’s a hard question to answer without trying it out! You will be learning to walk together with your partner. Beyond that you will be walking with your fellow participants in the social dance (milonga - see definition below). That experience of flowing togetherness is wonderful and is not present in any other dance.

Besides the amazing feeling tango can give you (with knowledge of surprisingly few steps), it is a really fun way to spend an evening. Tango dancing is so much more than a dance. It is a social culture. It is part of the character of tango to dance with any number of people; this makes tango the ultimate ice breaker!

Tango, and couple dances generally are proven to have immense neurological as well as physical health benefits.

Where did Argentine tango originate?

Argentine tango originated in Buenos Aires in the late 19th century at a time many immigrants arrived, especially from Africa and Europe. The different musical and dance traditions of this immigrant population created the chemistry from which tango was born.

What is the difference between Argentine tango and tango?

Argentine tango is usually a non-competitive, entirely improvised social dance. Ballroom tango is a competitive performance based dance that became a branch of the ballroom dance scene. Ballroom has a different embrace and is made up of almost exclusively prescribed steps.

Do I need to bring a partner?

You don’t have to bring a dance partner to Tango 178 classes.

We encourage swapping partners to enhance the learning process so no one has to sit out.  We also view the gender based roles of leader male follower female as old fashioned.

In our class, as in the milonga, it’s common to find men following and women leading. We see this as the new tango normal.

Is Argentine tango hard to learn as a beginner?

Tango can appear hard at first, but with a little perseverance its magic is soon revealed! Some of the simplest steps that you might learn in your first few classes will carry you through your tango journey for many years. It’s also true to say that a simple tango is desirable but can be a challenging, but hugely enjoyable journey to achieve.

How many dance lessons do I need before I can dance Argentine tango?

Everyone learns in their own time. After a few lessons you will have some tango steps. However, it might be a while before you have the confidence to dance in a milonga. Fear not! We suggest attending milonga dance nights early in the evening when there are fewer dancers and navigation is easier. We also recommend attending practicas (practice sessions) that are like casual milongas, to get your steps ready for the full blown dance night. Followers might dance in a milonga sooner, but after six months a leader could attend a relatively busy milonga and have a great time.

What kind of shoes should I wear?

For the first few lessons most footwear is fine. Ideally have soft shoes with a slippery sole such as leather or suede for pivoting on the ball of the foot.

What clothes should I wear?

you don’t need to wear special clothing, as long as your legs are free to move so you can take long steps. Tango clothing can be idiosyncratic but is not required in order to learn and enjoy tango. Some people really enjoy dressing up and making that part of what makes a tango night enjoyable!

We’ll shortly be adding an upcoming style page on our website with recommended suppliers, who we know and trust, for tango shoes and clothing.

Does it help to have danced before?

Some elements of dance experience can be helpful especially if there is a lead/follow element, however tango has it’s own very special flavour and someone without dance experience can often more easily step into the tango “vibe” than someone with a dance background.

Do I have to remember long sequences?

Argentine tango is not for show or stage. It is all about improvisation to music. The priority in lessons is to find a connection with your partner and to move through space together. Later you learn certain structures. However, they are intended as tools that you as a dancer use to build your dance. Most often the simplest are the best!

Do I need to be really flexible or fit to dance Argentine tango?

Our tango is not about exaggerated physical exertion and more about togetherness than spectacle.

Tango will help you to become more poised, relaxed and flexible in a simple and healthy way.

What’s the right age to learn tango?

You are never too old or young to learn to dance! Tango in particular has proven neurological benefits for all ages, and encourages a healthy and varied social interaction regardless of age and background.

What is milonga?

Milonga is the place where we go to dance, a tango dance night. Milonga is also the name of a dance style that is distinct but related to tango. They are dances that have similarities but are at their heart different. With milonga the dance is faster and perhaps more playful. Many less experienced dancers make the mistake of dancing tango steps to milonga. We offer rolling classes in milonga alongside tango.

Can I dance Argentine tango to any music?

It is possible to dance tango to any music. However Argentine tango music and dance evolved together and the beauty of tango is the journey you take with tango steps to tango music. Whilst it can be fun to improvise to another music style, dancing tango to tango music is infinitely more rewarding.

How does the improvisation work?

We call tango an improvised dance because there are no sequences that are expected or prescribed in tango. Every decision or choice is made in the moment. Improvisation is not however what you might call freeform. Choices are informed specifically by the music. The leader builds from what they are hearing and communicates the pace and character of the music through their lead. This means leaders are led by the music. The “follower’ interprets the lead with his/her tuned tango instincts. Both sides are trying to stay ‘with’ the music and not randomly invent steps that have no relation to the music they are dancing to.

Is the leader in charge of the follower?

It’s often thought that the follower role is deferential or passive in tango. This is not the case. Both roles are dancing TO the music. It could be said therefore that both roles (as mentioned above) are following the music. As a follower one of the joys of tango is the ability to “key in” and be with their partner in the dance. The same can be said of the leader. It could be said that each dancing role ultimately follows the music.

Is Argentine tango similar to the tango on “Strictly”?

What you see on TV shows is choreographed acrobatic show tango, but the basic origin of the dance is the same. What we dance socially is more intimate, improvised (see above) and simple. It is infinitely more rewarding.

What music do you dance to?

The tango music you will hear in Tango 178 dates from around 1928 to 1958 and in a very few cases a bit later. There is tango from other periods but this is the most dynamic period of tango as a dance and music, known as the ‘golden age’

Tango dance, music and culture evolved symbiotically in that period. The steps and the very particular rhythm have evolved together to create the tango we enjoy today. This makes tango music from this original period of tango the most rewarding to dance to.