Top Ten Ultimate Online Argentine Tango Resources

Gone are the days when the only way to find out about local tango events, teachers and classes, were from flyers posted on the bulletin boards of dance studios. Ironically, the internet is becoming the preferred communication tool for a world wide community of dancers united by the embrace of Argentine tango.

1. Tango and Chaos in Buenos Aires by Rick McGarrey. McGarrey's site is part travelogue, part memoir and (large) part tango technique guide. No website can teach you how to dance tango, but once you've started learning, McGarrey's site can take you quite a ways in technique. I found the site to be fairly leader-technique heavy, but followers can find valuable information in the section titled: Back to School (2007): A Practical Guide to Social Tango. This is one of the few sites I recommend reading from beginning to end as soon as you get the chance.

2.Jivetango- David Bailey, Christopher O'Shea and Ken Royden have all contributed loads of fantastic material for learning social Tango. Everything from how to behave at milongas to specific tango technique guides. Also look for the lighter side of milonga life in articles like "The Star Wars Guide to Tango".

3.YouTube - You can't learn tango from YouTube, though many, many dancers try. What you can do is use YouTube as a tool for learning and to watch the great dancers' technique. The trick is first, knowing which dancers you should try to emulate, and why. A performance video on YouTube won't help you much on the social dance floor - but there are still great resources to be found, particularly for the intermediate dancer.

Zotto and Godoy: Some of the late Osvaldo Zotto's classes, with Mora Godoy, can be found on YouTube starting here. While not all of the 20 lessons are available more than a dozen are viewable in English.

Jennifer Bratt's Follower Embellishments - video demonstrations.

Milongas and Milongueros of Buenos Aires - Janis Kenyon, originally from Chicago and now living in Buenos Aires, is currently compiling a video record of some of the best dancers in milongas in Buenos Aires. These videos not only demonstrate the eptiome of social tango, but also give a look into the milonga life that many tango dancers outside of Argentina might not otherwise be able to see.

4. Knowtango - This site is becoming the ultimate resource online when it comes to finding milongas and other tango resources in your area. Take a look at the main site here and check out the KnowTango blog as well.

5.Tango Connections - Teachers, dj's, students and other tango professionals and fans alike share information and resources on this mini-social network for Argentine tango. Meet other dancers in your area, contribute to one of the tango forums or find classes, practicas and milongas when you're traveling - all in one place.

6.Planet-tango - The site of tango teachers' Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart, based in New Orleans, Louisiana with tango lyrics, music resources, links, DVD's and videos, and blogs.

7.Todotango - The online encyclopedia of tango music and history. The composers, singers, orchestras - biographies, music samples, links and online tango radio stations. Set aside some serious time to go through this website.

8.ToTango - Keith Elshaw's blog and tango resource guide. On this site the focus is more on the dance, the teachers, and some of the more famous personalities in the world of Argentine tango. There is still a huge quantitu of information and resources for music, though - so don't miss those pages. Look for biographies of famous dancers and teachers, stories of great tango tragedies, plus practical and timely information in festival and event guides.

9.EasyTango Wiki - Glossary, styles, links, tips and articles. This site is a huge resource that can be pretty overwhelming at first. using the search tool may be the easiest way to make use of the material at first.

10. Facebook- If you've been putting off setting up a Facebook account, you may want to consider it once you start tango. For many local communities, Facebook is becoming the primary way news about events, classes, practicas and milongas are shared. It can also be a wonderful way to find and connect with dancers in your local community, and in communities you may be traveling to.

Still hungry for more? Take a look at these forums and discussions about all things tango:

1. Tango-L - the famous tango mailing list. Topics like the usefulness of teaching the "basic 8", debates over orchestras and recordings, and style/technique issues abound. While occasional flame wars might seem a bit intimidating to participate at first - it can be a great resource to read through. Before posting a question, be sure to search through the archives to see if your question has already been addressed in a previous thread. Also have a look at Tango-A for lists of festivals and events in the Argentine tango world.

2.Volcada is similar to Tango Connections, mentioned above, with forums and groups, but not quite as well established. However, the community is growing and certainly worth keeping an eye on when it comes to connecting with other tango dancers.

3.Dance-forums - (click on the link for "Tango Argentino"). A little more friendly than the Tango-L mailing list, but with similar topics. Again, before you post a question, use the search feature to see if your issue has been addressed in previous threads.

For even more resources, and a great list of tango bloggers, check out My Tango Diaries.