La Viruta — Buenos Aires’ 1st Stop for Tango Virgins

ande — Sat, 15 May 2010 05:45:12 +0000

La Viruta, a milonga that promises you’ll enter walking but leave dancing, is one of Buenos Aires’ most welcoming places for newcomers looking to test the tango waters. Tango classes of various levels are held every evening except Mondays and Tuesdays. From Wednesday to Sunday there is a milonga, (dance party) beginning around midnight that goes into the wee hours.

Housed in the basement of the Armenian Cultural Center, La Viruta is a good place to meet a diverse cross-section of the Porteño and visiting population. It’s ideal for beginners thanks to the dance hall’s large size and popularity. If you have two left feet and haven’t unlocked the ‘tango code’ of glances across the room, no need to worry — you won’t be the only one.

The teachers are very experienced, handle large groups well and some speak English. Partners are rotated often in classes and between awkward shuffles and giggles, friendships and romances blossom as they have throughout La Viruta’s 14 years.

This isn’t a spot for the experienced milonguero/a but as the night rolls into day more experienced dancers make their appearances so that neophytes can observe and yearn for the days when they can move like that.

Although tango is the main protagonist there are also rock and roll and Cuban-style salsa classes three times a week. Minors are allowed to come along until midnight.

La Viruta has a bar and restaurant on-site with the traditional pizzas, pastas, meat dishes and a couple of vegetarian options served until 3:30 am. A couple of hours later you can also have a quick breakfast before heading home. Call to reserve a table, otherwise just throw on your dancing shoes and show up.

-photos courtesy of La Viruta-

La Viruta/$-$$
1366, Armenia St
Palermo Viejo
Tel: 4774-6357/ 4779-0030

• Hours: Classes vary — check website linked above for times
• Open Milonga: Wed-Sun from 12am
• Entrance: AR$25/ classes and milonga

Buenos Aires Dance Club

ande — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:47:26 +0000

Buenos Aires Dance Club is a large dance school downtown on the pedestrian-only Florida Street that offers classes every afternoon until evening Monday through Saturday. The best deal to check out the school is Saturday afternoons when they offer three beginner classes in three different dance genres for AR$25. The first class is choreographic of any style, the second Caribbean dances such as salsa, meringue or reggaeton and the third is ‘American’ — generally rock and roll, jazz or hip hop. You can come with a friend or by yourself – partners are rotated throughout the class, so you’ll never be left out.

The best part about Buenos Aires Dance Club are the down-to-earth teachers and students – here you won’t find anyone too worried about how pretty they look or yapping on their cell phone. The classes are open to all ages and abilities. The experienced teachers are fun loving and helpfully count out the rhythms so that you don’t get (too) lost. Classes are informal but they fill up quickly – if you don’t speak fluent Spanish you’ll want to get there early to have a place in the front of the studio to follow along.

• Full pass for all classes: AR$170-180 per month
• Once class per week: AR$ 75 per month
• Three-for-one Saturdays: $AR 25

Buenos Aires Dance Club
Florida 732, fifth floor
4328-5180
Web: Badanceclub.com.ar

Wander Argentina » Dance

La Viruta — Buenos Aires’ 1st Stop for Tango Virgins

Buenos Aires Dance Club