Tango dance

The City of Athens Choir, the Dionysios Lavragas Mandolinata of Exarchia-Neapolis and the Athens Estudiantina pay tribute to the sensual Argentinian folk dance, the tango.

Argentina's biting economic crisis cannot keep tango enthusiasts from seeking out the haunting tunes of piano and concertina music at a dwindling number of dance halls in the capital.

If it takes two to tango, then the national dance of Argentina may come up one short in the age of coronavirus.

Tango classes, shows and milongas - traditional tango gatherings - have been suspended in capital Buenos Aires for at least 15 days as the dance community follows the government's lead in banning public events.

Tango Acropolis, a nonprofit organization promoting the dance style in Athens, is set to host its second nine-hour tango class marathon at the Serafeio Athletic & Community Complex next to the PAO Rouf soccer stadium in downtown Athens on Saturday, January 25.

Acclaimed dance ensembles from around the world, as well as local acts, come together in the Greek capital for a five-day celebration of one of the most popular dance genres in the world. The Tango Lovers Festival is spread out over three venues and, apart from displays, also includes workshops and parties.

Acclaimed Greek actor Grigoris Valtinos will be making a surprise appearance at a concert by the Athens Tango Ensemble at the Half Note Jazz Club on Tuesday, March 13. Centered on the golden age of Argentinean tango (1935-55), the concert will also feature Greek music that was inspired by the genre. The show starts at 9.30 p.m. and tickets cost 10, 15 and 20 euros.

The Tango Factory dance school and Argentinean musician Sabrina Tonelli will be at Monastiraki Square from noon to 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve showing the public what a great milonga party is all about. Professional instructors will be at hand to teach you all the moves. The event is free of charge.

Richard Smith and Tico Pierhagen are bringing their jazz-tango fusion project Two to Tango to Greece. Having released their hit album "Tangos" and toured the world from Europe and the USA to Australia, they will be joined by Greek guitarist Vassilis Rakopoulos for a performance at Naxos's Bazeos Tower on Thursday, July 27. The concert starts at 9.30 p.m.

"Feet flick with cutting precision; dancers lean into the embrace, going from flirtation to abandon," wrote The Independent on Tango Fire's production "Flames of Desire," when it was staged in London.

The so-called “tango-therapy” helps patients to deal with everyday challenges in a better way.

It is particularly famous in Italy, especially the northern parts of the country. There are special Health Centers that are focused almost exclusively with “music-therapy”, which includes tango dancing as well as breathing exercises which help the movement of the patients.