[Tango-L] Origin of Tandas

[Sergio Vandekier]

There was a time, very early in tango history (1880 - 1920) when tango was danced in "pirigundines" also called "academias".   These places were situated in the periphery of the city and required special permits from the City hall to function. Pirigundines continued to function till not too long ago although with different characteristics from the original ones.

 Those places, where music was played and hired women were available to dance with, were patronized by lonely males in search of fun and perhaps some romance.  

They normally were required to buy a ticket called "lata" (tin), because they were made of tin.  Those tichets allowed the male to dance a set number of tangos, milongas or valses, or a mixture of them.  For example: three tangos, one milonga and one vals.  The male client gave the "ticket" to the female dancer and started dancing with her.

  The "Cortina" a music different from tango, announced the end of the set or "tanda". Couples separated.  

To dance another tanda another ticket had to be given to the lady. This sequence continued during the evening till two or three in the morning.

There are expresions in our coloquial language of Buenos Aires that refer to certain elements of those days.

"Tener la lata"  (to hold the tin) : It means to wait a long time. " Fui al medico y tuve una lata the una hora "  (I went to the doctor and had to wait for one hour).   

This is a reference to the time when a man had to wait for the lady , tin in hand, till she became available to dance with him.  He would say then "tuve la lata" for a long time till I could dance with her.

Best Wishes, Sergio


Mar del Plata - Argentina


 


Buenos Aires del '80 era una gran aldea, donde había academias y teatros, únicos lugares donde se podía bailar o ver bailar mientras se actuaba. Las academias, también llamadas "pirigundines", contaban con mujeres contratadas y eran sitios que requerían una autorización de la autoridad para funcionar. Se encontraban en el suburbio y en zonas alejadas del centro de la ciudad.

El tango en el prostíbulo.  El lugar habitual del tango ligado desde su origen a la danza y a su desarrollo musical, fué el burdel.  En sus patios, en las amplias antesalas y como complemento de la actividad principal de la casa, las pupilas tenían por costumbre  bailar con la clientela. 


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