Music and Theater

by Deanna Palic (second of three parts, jump to part 1,

Every year I spend a wonderful four days in London, seeing as many theatrical productions as I can squeeze in. This year’s visit, in April, was one of my best experiences so far.

When one goes to Buenos Aires, the culture one most experiences is the culture. Yes, there are fine museums and interesting structures. However, it is walking through the barrios, going to a tango salon and the theater, visiting the street markets and enjoying a great variety of wonderful food and wine that makes Buenos Aires such a delight.

Tango shows are still alive and well in Buenos Aires (April ’06, pg 16 & June ’06, pg. 15). I saw a great one at El Viejo Almacen (Balcarce e Independencia [c1064AAO], San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; www.viejoalmacen.com) on Jan. 12, ’06.

For $69 I had a delicious dinner, went across the street to the theater, had a tango lesson, then saw a great show. There were a few songs plus other entertainment (but only as a filler while the dancers changed costumes).

by Paul Richards, Peoria Heights, IL

Good fortune

by Lew Toulmin

I have some comments on letters in the April ’06 issue.

On a South American trip in November ’04, we attended a tango show at El Querandi (Perú 302 [C1067AAH] Buenos Aires, Argentina; phone/fax [54/11] 5199-1770 or visit www.querandi.com.ar). It was arranged through our hotel and cost $40-$50 for the show and dinner.

About two-thirds of the performance was dancing and showed how tango dancing has evolved through the years. The dancing was very much in the traditional tango style with all its sensuality. The orchestra was also superb.

Tango in its various forms became a focal point of our December ’04 journey to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We have always enjoyed watching tango dancers and listening to tango music. We sought out tango lessons and tango salons, tango in the streets and tango in theater performances. And we never got our fill, as there are so many varieties. We decided that we did not want to do the usual tourist thing — a dinner show with professional tango dancers — but wanted to seek out Porteños (B.A. residents) dancing.

I just finished reading Raymond Kisch’s letter regarding Buenos Aires tango shows (April ’06, pg. 16) and deeply regret that he did not go to La Ventana (Balcarce 431, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina; tel. [5411] 4334-1314, 4334-1315, 433-0217 or 433-8689 or visit www.la-ventana.com.ar), where we saw a fabulous tango show in January ’06.