Tango In Bogota

Although very few people would associate Colombia with anything else but salsa, it happens to be a very eclectic country as far as dancing and music is concerned. Of course, salsa plays a central role in the dancing and music scene of colombia but there are pockets of the country in which other types of music aIn the north, a very popular traditional music by 

the best place to go Tangoing in Colombia is the beautiful city of Medellin. The great Carlos Gardel died in this tango capital of Colombia. 

One might think that Bogota is devoid of tango. Even here there are a bunch of choices as far as tango is concerned. My favorite is the little known "El viejo Almacen del tango" which does not have that much web presence, but is a quaint little place in the heart of bogota, in the old colonial Candelaria. The place is guarded by wooden doors and unless you are looking for it, you are unlikely to come across it. But there is no cover charge (unlike salsa places in Bogota) once you enter, you will see a wall full of old records and a little bar with cheap beer. People mostly come in couples and are mostly regulars. 

Here is the exact address: 

El Viejo Almacen del Tango.

Calle 15 No 4-18C 

Candelaria, Bogota.

Tele: +57-1-284-2364.

It's just off avenida Jimenez (Ac 13), approximately behind the Crepes place.

Definitely check it out if you are in that part of Bogota, after having a nice creme bruelee or a tart at the french bakery nearby.

Tango: Musicality.

Many students of tango, a few days after they've begun and have  mastered their ocho cortados and "close embrace" start hearing key words like "Musicality" and "cadence" and so on. Now, some of us are fortunate to be gifted with a sense of music that does not need explanations but most of us, even when they are intrigued by a particular form of music, need someone to explain to them, what the hell is musicality ? Or rather "what exactly am I looking for" in here ? And once they know, everything becomes much more enjoyable. 

Just like a cubist painting, which may evoke some pleasant emotions just by looking at it, but becomes much more impressive and effective once it makes more sense, once you know what's special about this technique. In other words "What to look for" in it. 

So here is my humble attempt at trivializing this abstract quality called musicality: At the most basic level, it involves going slower or faster depending on the music. Now, purists are going to cringe at this description. Of course there is much more to it than slowing and speeding. It's like describing impressionism as "Oh that's just when you use dots and more discrete strokes and distort stuff rather than drawing a photo-realistic representation". But it's a good beginning. 

Read my next post for more on tango rhythm and "what to listen to".