The Salle Blanche of the Casino of Monte-Carlo, refurbished back its original splendour, vibrated to the sounds of Tango by a typical quartet of piano, bass, bandoneon, violin and a singer.  Three couples of professional dancers in their best attires engaged in a choreographed stage-style of this dance, where the embrace is more open, and the complex footwork was augmented with gymnastic lifts, kicks, and drops, to the cheers of the public. 

There are different styles of Tango, and born in Argentina I tend to prefer the Tango originated in the family clubs and suburban neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires characterized by a sensual close embrace of the dancers, with long elegant steps combined with complex figures. In this case the embrace may be allowed to open only briefly, to permit the execution of the complicated steps. Argentine tango has it all that exists in the relationship of a man and a woman: sensuality, desire, jealousy, anger, betrayal, suspicion and more importantly passion. 

Photos by Celina Lafuente de Lavotha