The Buenos Aires City government is currently hosting its annual Tango Festival and World Championship this month. As a result, it has never been easier (or in some cases more affordable) to soak in the music and performances that give this amazing city its unique and enticing draw.
The event attracts tango buffs by the thousands every year from all over the world and this year is no exception. Under the artistic direction of Gustavo Mozzi, the festival has just over 2000 artists participating in shows, exhibitions and the worldwide tango dancing competition.
The festival has already begun (last week with a huge kick-off at the amazing Teatro Colon) and now is in full swing with a rather large list of things to do.
To make it simpler, here’s a summary of what to do and where. Most things are free, however there are a couple of shows which could require the withdrawal of a couple pesos from your pocket.
The festival runs from the 14th to the 27th of August and finishes with the Grand Finales in Luna Park. Tickets for the finale are sold out, but despair not! There is still a crazy cool amount of action to get in on all over the city, with the majority of the major events taking place in the stunning Usina del Arte in La Boca.* (See safety note at the bottom for tips on how do go about this intelligently).
Categories have been divided by genre: Classics of the Future, Orchestras and Ensemble, New Porteño Song, The Rosarian Advancement, Panorama and Practice, Milongas and Exhibitions.
Music
Ok, when it comes to music, the festival is providing a HUGE, amazing list of stuff to see and listen to. There is a mixture of shows including musical ensembles in the form of trios, quartets, quintets and sextets, traditional tango orchestras, guitar-voice duos/trios, pianists, piano and vocals and an entire section dedicated to the voices of tango today (Pista Urbana).
Tangos Rusos (Sala de Camera, La Usina del Arte on Weds, 19th at 8pm)
A selection of Russian tangos that came about in the 1920s will be interpreted by the Belamor Kanal Quartet under the direction of Alejandro Szwarcman.
Altertango (Sala de Camara, Usina de Arte on Thurs, 20th at 8pm)
Tango quintet Altertango debut songs from their fifth album, Farguest.
Saul Cosentino (Auditorium, Usina del Arte on Sat, 22nd at 2.30pm)
Cosentino is an 80-year-old tango pianist who will be performing some of his most famous works alongside a tango sextet. If you’re a fan of Piazzolla, you’ll LOVE this.
Juan Martin Scalerandi (Sala de Camara, Usina del Arte on Sat, 22nd at 8pm)
Guitarrist Scalerandi will be showing his string-playing skills, debuting music from his new album Semblanzas. There’s a bit of Creole, milongas and malambos, all written by him. Ventarron and Varela will also be playing at the event.
Pablo Agri and the Camerata Argentina (Auditorium, Usina del Arte on Sat 22nd at 8.30pm)
Violinist Pablo Agri will be directing a group of young musicians from all over the country in a tango s definitely worth seeing.
Quasimodo Trio (Sala de Camara, Usina de Arte on Sun, 23rd at 6pm)
The Quasimodo Trio will be playing songs from their album Acontrayumba.
Pista Urbana (Chacabuco 874 on Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun)
The Pista Urbana is dedicating a small portion of the festival to tango singers. Veronika Silva & Las Bordonas (Thurs 20th at 8pm), Lidia Borda (Fri 21st at 8pm), Tabare Leyton (Sat 22nd at 8pm) and Nora Roca (Sun 23rd at 8pm) are singing.
Dancing
Tango is one of those dance genres that always seems to be considered fashionable, but every now and again it explodes back into the spotlight all over the world as THE dance style to learn and love.
Fuel to that fire includes a sporadic revival of tango in mainstream Hollywood films, filling Ezeiza with tourists toting BajoFondo on full blast on their iPods.
Whether you’re already versed in La Viruta, are a La Catedral floor-spun pro, know how to separate flashy escena steps from the traditional milonga or simply a new spectator of the sport, there will be a dance class for you.
Classes are held in the education areas within Usina del Arte.
Special classes
‘Rebotes’ (Usina del Arte on Fri, 21st at 4.15pm)
Step-specific class run by Pablo Villarraza and Carolina Lafata.
Out of balance moves (Usina del Arte on Sat, 22nd at 4.15pm)
Valencia Batiuk will be showing new moves from modern tango.
Role-free tango (Usina del Arte on Sun, 23rd at 4.15pm)
Led by Augusto Balizano, this class is dedicated to freeing up the minds of the dancers with a particular focus on playing with the masculine over feminine role-play within tango, introducing new ways of approaching the dance.
For more specialized classes, check BA City Government website. Each class is categorized by level of difficulty.
Classes are free, but you have to book a spot in advance.
The next big general sessions (beginners to intermediate level) are on Saturday and Sunday from 2.30pm to 5pm. After 5pm there is milonga.
Other stuff worth checking out
Aside from music and dance, there is also a cinema component of the festival, showing old movies staring famous tangueros like Gardel. The cinema museum is in the Usina complex. There is also a part of the festival labelled, “Mesas Redondas” (round tables in English) where you can listen to talks on tango culture, poetry readings and learn more about what life was like in Buenos Aires in the Gardel years.
Overall, there is a bunch of stuff to do and see! Happy doing!
* Usina del Arte– La Usina is a beautiful place, but be aware of your surroundings when going there at night. The area has a reputation for having higher rates of crime than other neighborhoods. Usually there’s a bunch of Met police hanging around, but common sense and caution should be employeed none the less. Taxis tend to be the safest way to get to and from La Boca. Use the main avenue Benito Perez Galdos (which is well-lit) to take you to the bus stops on Almirante Brown if you’re a die hard public transit fan. The back streets can sketchy very quickly and if you look like a lost tourist, you could find yourself in trouble.
Full festival details can be found here
Venues
Usina del Arte:
Agustín R. Caffarena 1, esq. Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza
La Milonga del Dique 0:
Av. Don Pedro de Mendoza y Agustín R. Caffarena
Museo del Cine:
Agustín R. Caffarena 51
Teatro 25 de Mayo:
Av. Triunvirato 4444
Teatro Colón:
Cerrito 628
Luna Park:
Av. Corrientes y Bouchard
Pista Urbana:
Chacabuco 874
The post Buenos Aires’ Tango Festival Is Back And Looks Awesome appeared first on The Bubble.