Happy Tango: Sallycat's Guide to Dancing in Buenos Aires [ペーパーバック]

"Happy Tango" is completely spot-on! I write this at the dawn of the third day of my own solo Buenos Aires tango adventure. I have three months to go and, thanks to Sallycat, I am not sitting in my apartment wondering where to go and dance, or wallowing in sorrow over not being asked to dance at the milongas. I jumped right into the overwhelming BsAs tango community on my very first night and rarely sit out a tanda. (And, no, I have not paid for a taxi dancer.)

Part memoir, and full of the most insightful information on dancing tango in Argentina, "Happy Tango" is not written like any other guidebook. Sally Blake shares her own experiences (pitfalls and all) to help the typical tango "tourist" blend in like a local. (This book should be handed out at Ezeiza Airport to all those with tango shoes in their suitcase.) Her delightful voice speaks as an experienced friend looking out for you, and you will thank her for it.

Sally's "11 Rules" for dancing in BsAs and the "20 places to try first" are simply brilliant. Breaking down the dance venues by style and detailing the "need to know" of each locale is absolutely one of the most helpful bits of information I found when researching for my trip. And if you follow her rules, you will not only fit in, but you will find your own "happy tango."

I am so happy I found this book before my trip to Buenos Aires. It is full of enormously helpful advice that no tango traveler should be without, but only an insider would know.

Sally Blake made a trip to Bs. As. after only having danced for 5 months in her native England and ended up staying to learn and dance tango in the city of it's birth. She has navigated it's many milongas and made all the mistakes for you. Her advice and rules are designed to maximize your chances of getting dances and finding tango bliss (hence the name Happy Tango).
In the first section she gives you 11 rules to follow, ones that she has followed (and broken) with quick explanations of why you should follow them. The 2nd section is an A to Z of dancing tango in Bs. As., all things tango you might encounter or need to know, with very helpful definitions and advice. In this section under the definition of "codigos" she outlines the code of conduct you should follow at the milongas to avoid looking like a newcomer or committing an embarrassing gaffe. In the 3rd Section she gives you advice on where you might be happiest dancing and descriptions of 20 milongas to try neatly sorted into three categories (tourist circuit, traditional and informal) with notes on how to get there and what you NEED TO KNOW to enjoy yourself at each milonga or practica.
There's even a final section with practical advice on where to stay, what to eat, money matters, learning Castellano (Argentine Spanish), getting around, safety, staying connected and even what to see on your time off from tango (if you take any). There are also a few appendices which include tango schools, shoe stores and people she has met in her time there who might be helpful to know about.

I feel like I now have a much more realistic set of expectations and am armed with great advice. I also feel like I'm traveling with a friend who can help me avoid some pitfalls. This is a book that will go in my carry-on and be re-read on the plane ride.

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Having now been in Bs As for two weeks I want to also add that not a day has gone by where I have not consulted this book for advice. BUY THIS BOOK!
The one caveat: as do all things hip and cultural there are some changes in milonga location from year to year, so if you buy this edition make sure you check websites (they are helpfully provided) for locations and hours so you don't dress for an informal practica and end up crashing a very traditional milonga.
I did it. :)

This is an absolute 'must' companion for you while embarking on your tango adventures in Buenos Aires. It will set you up and give you a head start in this native tango world which is otherwise, very very overwhelming. The book is a big mix of sign posting, advice, rules and observations.

I purchased this book prior to a long haul tango trip and have not been disappointed. I know that I have discovered things that would have otherwise taken me months to find.

The layout of the book is very user friendly with it's sections making page hopping easy. After I have attended a milonga / class I sometimes read sections that reinforce something I'm thinking about the culture/behaviour of the BA tango world. So I guess I feel as though I'm carrying a friend around with me or a mentor.