You’re no good for me, I don’t need nobody
The Prodigy – No Good (Start the Dance)
Don’t need no one, that’s no good for me
From the moment I began learning tango, it was clear that Buenos Aires is central to this dance in a way that no other city is to any other dance I’ve encountered. In salsa, there are various styles – New York, Cuban, Colombian, and Rueda – but there’s little focus on its history or any one place that represents its essence. Tango, however, is different. Buenos Aires is the symbol, source and even pilgrimage to tango as I found out on my second tango class.
Buenos Aires was often mentioned by my instructors, with a kind of reverence and nostalgia of their time there. It was the place where tango’s rhythms and movements were born, where the dance grew up and evolved.
This connection to the city felt even more authentic thanks to David, my instructor from Argentina. His approach to teaching felt like an authentic transfer of knowledge directly from the source, like I wasn’t just learning steps but a tradition handed down through generations.
As I continued to learn in those early days, Buenos Aires tango travellers told me their own tales, where you could find the heart of tango itself and buy great dance shoes too.
I had no interest in going to Buenos Aires however, as I wasn’t into tango in that much depth then. Tango classes were serving as a hobby, skill and socialising activity.