Tango History

The Life of Gardel

Charles Romuald Gardes was born in Toulouse, France on a distant December 11, 1890 and, as in those great mysteries of life, who knows what thoughts entered the mind of Ms. Dona Berthe Gardes as she chose for her destiny Buenos Aires.

On March 11, 1893, she descended on this land so desired at the port of Santa Maria de Los Buenos Aires, from a boat named Don Pedro, holding in her arms her little son of barely three years. As of that moment, Buenos Aires rocked in her arms the one who will later become the greatest tango singer of all times and of all the world, and who would transform himself for love and by his own will, into an Argentinean by law.

By the fatal intentions of life itself, Gardel will die immortalizing himself as the greatest Argentinean legend. From that time, Argentina will be divided as before and after Gardel. Now Gardel sings better than ever.

The History of the Music of Rio de la Plata
by Carlos Rios (TangoHistoria.com)

The history of the music of Rio de la Plata, which was born in Buenos Aires, began with the conquest of that part of the world. It is there that the tango became popular.

Those who were in power tried to condemn the tango to a mediocre destiny, but failed. The tango started to gain popularity in spite of their efforts. The men who attended the brothels and listened to this type of music decided to improvise ways to dance the tango. Rapidly, the different dances became unified in a form that was mainly inspired by the choreography of the milonga. The creativity of the protagonists of the tango added to this base and the different steps were created: "el corte, la quebrada, el ocho, la sentada...

At the height of its popularity, musicians were motivated to compose more melodies for dancing the tango and this created a path into the social life: the flamboyant "dance houses" that became higher level brothels, precursors of night clubs or "cabarets" that were frequented by people of higher social status. The dance houses bloomed everywhere in the city of Buenos Aires and continued their unstoppable growth until, within a short time before 1880, Buenos Aires became the capital of the Republic of Argentina.

These houses were known by the name of those who gathered their clients. The names were almost always accompanied by a pseudonym that referred to a physical aspect or the origin of the person. For example, the houses were named Brown Refucilo, Joaquina the Chinese, Flat Pepa, Short Lola, Pink Chinese, Dark Flora, Old Eustaquia, Dark Adelina, Adela, the Gringa, and so forth.

The most famous dance houses were Concepcion Amaya "Mamita", located at Lavalle 2177 and "La Vieja Tangara", Junin 416. But those that survived through the frontiers of time to become part of the great history of the tango were "Lo de Laura" (Laura Monserrat), Paraguay 2512); "Maria la Vasca" (Maria Rangolla), Carlos Calvo 2721 and "Lo de Hansen" which one could find in the flamboyant park Tres de Febrero, above the Avenida de Las Palmeras, at the intersection of avenues Sarmiento and Figueroa Alcorta. (Note: For more information, please write to tangohistoria@ciudad.com.ar).

Argentina Tango Club extends a warm welcome to all who love Tango and good music. Lets take this journey together while communicating through our senses via the sensual melodies of the Tango.

Please feel free to send us your ideas and your suggestions, which are always welcome. Please write to us at tangoargentinaclub@yahoo.com.

At your service, Ruben Carrasco Armijo and Marie Dominique Carrasco