Tango Show, Opera Pampa or Neither?
 

Hi All - Just trying to plan my trip to Buenos Aires in October. So excited!

With this in mind, I was curious if you would consider a Tango Show or Opera Pampa "must sees" when visiting Buenos Aires for the first time? I'm reading mixed reviews on these shows - some say they are great and very entertaining, others say they are "cheezy" and complete tourist traps.

Also, if I am going to see one of them, would you recommend a Tango Show or Opera Pampa? Thanks for your advice!

I did both Opera Pampa and a tango show (Piazolla) on my June trip. If it's a choice of one or the other, I would go for Opera Pampa. I really enjoyed it and it gives a variety of entertainments. (I assume you know what both are like so I won't describe) I don't reccommend their transfers though. They were late at both ends and the driver on the return had no idea where my hotel was. Fortunately I speak Spanish and could direct him, but a taxi would have been easier.
The tango show was fine, but too long. It could have been 20 minutes less and I would have enjoyed it more.
Of course both events are "touristy", but you are a tourist. Either or both is a fun night out, but neither is a "must". I suppose it depends on your interest in this kind of entertainment in any country.

Opera Pampa is tons of fun...singing, dancing, horseback riding...portraying the settlement of Argentina.

Tango shows are for "export." Translation: They are too expensive for the majority of locals to attend and are designed with tourists in mind. Cheezy? No...touristy? Yes...I have been to several and most feature a tango singer or orchestra that plays a wee bit too long and not enough tango dancing to suit me...also the style of tango is more suited for theatrical production than ballroom tango as it is actually danced...

Go to Opera Pampa and take a Tango lesson followed up by a trip to a milonga where you can practice your new moves or not depending on your preference.

Dr Dawggy,

Where can one take a Tango lesson?
I will be going to BA next year. I would love to take a tango lesson! I will be staying at the Melia. (Reconquista, 945 - Centro Buenos Aires)

Imavolio:

On our last trip to Buenos Aires, we were very fortunate to attend a Tango Show that was fantastic.

It was called Tango Emotion, the director general was Sr. Enrique Cuttini arranged or managed [not sure which] by Crystal Music.

Find them at www.crystalmusic.com.ar and e-mail to [email protected]

This is a theater production and might have been long but it was too short for me. The next production may have a different name so refer to Sr. Cuttini in your e-mail.

We saw several tango productions, some very modern but this one was traditional.

Sr. Cuttini and group tour the world so you might want to e-mail to find out if they are in the city when you are.

We will do the same for our next visit in early 2009.

We also saw street tango on Florida and at a popular square where a very large Sunday market is held. Not much help but the name of the square escapes me just now. St. Telmo, I think. When we watched the stereet tango, I always had one hand in my pocket as a fist around my money. No problems.

We also found one TV channel that played tango for most of the day.

Sr. Cuttini's production was not expensive and the best of all in our opinion.

Woodie

Hi cheribob, if you want to take tango lessons I have the instructors for you. Julio and Mirabai. julioymirabai.com and if you would like to have a tango tour ask Mirian Muzzupappa at dancingtangotours.com.ar. I can highly recommend them. Actually they are here at my home in Seattle right now. As far as watching wonderful Tango, we go to San Telmo at the Plaza Derrego and sit outside, have lunch, and watch Julio and Mirabai plus others dance. Of course that's how we met them. Click on their website and see for yourself or go to Youtube to watch more videos of them dance. Julio and Mirabai are very patient instructors, thank goodness because my husband and I practically butcher the beautiful dance, but I must admit we are getting better. Good luck and have fun whatever you decide.

www.dancingtangotours.com.ar
For anyone interested in Tango Tours