DRESSING TANGO STYLE (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

Tango is more than just a River Plate rhythm or a dance style that represents us. Tango is also aesthetics. Tango is a way of dressing, a way of moving. The man with a sober dark suit, wooden-sole shoes to slide on the dance floor. The woman with long dark or colorful dresses (those that might even suggest the profile of a naked leg), fishnet pantyhose and high-heeled shoes, tight hairstyle and lots of gel for both.

Tango dancers dress in the traditional Porteño style of the beginnings of the XX Century. Tango revival in the last decade has brought many young people to tango dance. More and more people are dancing tango nowadays and they need and prefer the right outfit. That’s why dozens of Tango Clothing Stores are growing round the city. These are the place for those who want to get the right clothing and the ones that are looking for the perfect souvenir.

In Downtown Buenos Aires you’ll find traditional and modern stores. The firsts offers traditional clothing only: suits and hats for men, dresses for women, shoes for both, women panties and small accessories for men. The modern ones offer vintage clothing and more modern and trendy objects. Here you can find t-shirts, sneakers, hats and other, along with the traditional offer.

Most of the tango stores are located in Downtown BA, close to Hostel Colonial. Some of the most recommended are: Darcos (259 Suipacha St. or 853 Sarmiento St.), Mirtha Paulo (461 Esmeralda St.), Tango 8 (602 Anchorena St.), Delié (843 Piedras St.), Victorio (224 Montevideo St.), Neo Tango (1938 Sarmiento St.), Tango Brujo (754 Esmeralda St.), Mahara (332 Esmeralda St.), among others.

LA PLATA, CIDADE DAS DIAGONAIS (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

La Plata é uma das cidades mais peculiares da Argentina. Localizada a 56km ao sudeste da Cidade de Buenos Aires, é a capital da Província de Buenos Aires e uma das cidades arqutetonicamente mais impresionantes do pais. A “Cidade das tílias e das diagonais”, como é conhecida pelo particular traçado urbano, é uma ótima opção para visitar no día ou no fim de semana.

No ano 1880, enquanto dois bandos políticos disputavam o poder sobre a Ciudade de Buenos Aires, o grupo que não tinha possessão dela, decidiu fundar sua própria capital. La Plata é un exemplo do “higienismo” que começava ser importante nesa época. Planejada antes da sua fundação, com pensamentos tributários do racionalismo triunfante com a Revolução Francesa, pode se afirmar que é a primeira cidade construida no mundo em acordo às ideias republicanas, a consagração da ciencia positivista e o nacimento da utopia de uma vida social e ecológicamente mais harmónica.

Seu arquteto Pedro Benoit, escolheu um traçado em diagonais. Cada seis quadras há uma avenida, e em cada interseção de avenidas há um dos seus 23 parques e praças (incluido o grande Passeio do Bosque), interconectados pelas diagonais. As ruas estão povoadas por alguma espécie de árvore que as caracteriza, especialmente as tílias (árvore representativa da cidade). As ruas se organizam por números. Na convergência das duas diagonais mais importantes, 73 e 74, que atravessam a cidade de este a oeste e de norte a sul, se encontra a Praça Moreno. Alí está a Pedra Fundamental da cidade e tem enfrentadas a Municipalidade e a Catedral de estilo neogótico.

O resto dos lugares turísticos mais importantes se encontran no eixo fundacional da cidade, entre as ruas 51 e 53. Alguns deles são: a casa maior do Banco Provincia de Buenos Aires, a Casa Curutchet, a Casa do Gobierno Provincial, a Casa Mariani-Teruggi, o Centro Cultural Islas Malvinas, o Centro Cultural Meridiano V, o Centro Cultural Pasaje Dardo Rocha, a Igreja San Benjamín, a Legislatura Provincial, o Museo das Ciencias Naturales, a Quinta Oreste Santospago, ol Rectorado da UNLP, o Museo Ferroviario de Tolosa, o Teatro Municipal Coliseo Podestá, o Anfiteatro Martín Fierro e o Estadio Cidade de La Plata, entre outros.

EVITA MUSEUM (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The Evita Museum, located on 2988 Lafinur St., Palermo, is an excellent option to learn more about the history of one of the most famous Argentine women. The place has objects and pictures that belonged to the wife of the President Juan Domingo Perón. In addition, the Museum hosts a marvelous restaurant in its backyard.

The building housing the Evita Museums is a wonderful construction which dates from beginnings of the XX Century. Eva Perón bought it in 1948 for the María Eva Duarte de Perón Social Care Foundation, to install the Transit Home Nº 2, where abandoned and unemployed women were assisted. In 1956, the military government expropriated the Foundation and the building became an administrative office for several years. In 1999, the building was transferred to the Eva Perón Historic Research Institute, to host the Evita Museum.

The place captures the life, work and thinking of Evita for those who doesn’t know her, for the ones that know her but want to learn more about her, for those who want to remember. The Museum hold donated and borrowed objects from many people that shared their life with her. Also, historic pictures from the National File and from the photographer Juan Manuel Repetto. The Museum has a public library, an auditorium and a gift shop.

Those who visit it, should try its excellent restaurant, specialized in Italian-Porteño food. A nice place to have lunch in the open patio, by the trees, or in its warmth interior for these cold autumn nights. Open everyday from 9AM to 12.30AM. The restaurant entrance is 3926 J. M. Gutiérrez St. The Museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11AM to 7PM.

TOMORROW, THE BICENTENARY (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The big day is coming. Tomorrow, May 25th, Argentina will commemorate 200 years of independent life as a nation. The celebrations will distribute among the 9 de Julio Avenue, the Avenida de Mayo and the Plaza de Mayo. Hostel Colonial gives you some tips to enjoy the celebration the best you can: some security advice and keys to find the best location for the different shows.

The first thing to have in mind this May 25th is security. This kind of celebrations always causes crowding and its best to be alert for those who aren’t there for the show. Most of the people will just enjoy the holiday, many tourist are expected so nobody will be surprised by your attendance. Try to leave the money at the Hostel, carry only pocket money and those few essential things you need (ID, keys, etc.). Be careful if you carry a camera. It’s better if you carry no bags, purses or backpacks. Carry some warm clothes but don’t exaggerate because you’ll be surrounded by many people (you know, the warmth of the crowd).

Early in the morning, many people will be saving their place in the Plaza de Mayo, scenario of the main events and celebrations. Past noon, it will be really difficult to get there. The best choice is trying to walk down the Diagonal Norte (Roque Sáenz Peña). This is an alternative path to get to the Plaza, being Avenida de Mayo the principal access where most of the people will be walking.

You might want to carry a bottle of water or something to freshen up. Don’t forget this: the closer you get to the Plaza, the more squashed you’ll be. If you choose to attend the main celebrations, you have to remember that you might be standing on your feet for hours. We recommend you to eat before you go… and to be patient. For those who prefer to watch it on TV, Hostel Colonial will be logged all day. You might also want to try to visit some other parts of the city which will be less congested. Don’t count on finding any shops open.

A PÁTRIA ILUSTRADA (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

O centro de exposições Palais de Glace (Posadas 1725), do 20 ao 30 deste mês, apresenta uma nova forma de se achegar à história argentina. “La Patria dibujada” (A Pátria Ilustrada), uma exibição de historietas do Bicentenário, promete uma olhada às vezes cómica, às vezes nua e crua sobre os principais eventos que marcaram a história de nossos primeiros 200 anos de vida independente.

Aproveitando que a Argentina posúi uma das tradições mais vastas sobre comic a nível mundial e a mais importante a nível latinoamericano, procura se recuperar o jeito em que a linguagem próprio e particular da historieta tem retratado diferentes aspectos da vida social, cultural e política da Argentina. Tem se escolhido 10 momentos chave da nossa história que foram ilustrados pelos principais autores e desenhistas do pais, com a direção do jornalista, escritor e historietista Juan Sasturain.

Na exibição podem se ver as ampliações dos originais do livro “La Patria Dibujada” que se oferece também no evento e que compila todas as obras. Ademais, em “Uma pátria, dez praças”, os principais humoristas de historieta do pais realiçam dez verções da Plaza de Mayo, centro histórico das manifestações populares, e uma demonstração coproduzida com a “Revista Fierro” que explora a história da historieta argentina.

Desde a Revolução de Maio (quando capitulou o vice-rei espanhol) até o colapso económico e social de dezembro de 201; desde o día da asunção de Perón até uma famosa massacre de obreiros a principios d século XX (A Semama Trágica); os eventos mais significativos da nossa história estão à disposição dos visitantes em uma original e acessível apresentação.

ARGENTINE ROCK HOMAGE (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

This Friday, May 21st, on 9 de Julio Avenue, the official celebrations of the Argentine Bicentenary will begin. The show that will inaugurate the commemoration is the homage to Argentine Rock (Rock Nacional o National Rock, as we know it). A tribute to those artists who created a local expression of rock since the end of the 60’s decade. Rock in Spanish (or even better in Argentine) that transcended frontiers towards Latin America.

From the first recordings of the 60’s until today, a festival that will gather artists of the past decades and contemporary ones to review the Argentine rock history. The official presenter will be Lito Nebbia, living legend of our rock and founder of Los Gatos (The Cats) the first rock and roll band in Argentina. The event starts at 8PM and –as every good rock show- might last until dawn.

The main stage, behind the Obelisco, will present some of the key bands and artists of the genre such as: Fito Páez, León Gieco, Miguel Cantilo, Moris, Antonio Birabent, Silvina Garré, Los Auténticos Decadentes, Los Pericos, Las Pelotas, Virus with Estelares and Árbol and, the Uruguayan neighbors El Cuarteto de Nos. An unforgettable night for Argentine rock lovers and a unique chance for those wanting to discover it… for free.

Oscar Parrilli, Secretary General of the Presidency was in charge of introducing the activities schedule of the Bicentenary. About this rock show he said: “(Rock) is part of our history as much as tango or folklore”. He also announced shows from different music styles in the next days.

TOURISM OF THE BICENTENARY (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

Next May 25th, Argentina will celebrate its Bicentenary. And for those who want to learn more about our history before the great event, the “Cabildo (City Hall) and May Revolution Museum” is the right place. Located inside the Cabildo (Former City Hall), in front of the Plaza de Mayo, with entrance on 65 Bolivar St., this museum is a perfect chance to learn from our history in the very place where it occurred.

The Cabildo is one of the two buildings that remained in the same place as in 1810, when Argentina became an independent nation. It has been restored a couple of times, losing part of its original length and the main tower, but preserving the main structure and the historic halls. Guided visits to the building can be taken from Wednesday to Fridays from 10.30AM to 5PM and on weekends and holidays from 11.30AM to 6PM. The cost is 1 Argentine peso (30 dollar cents) for the entrance and 3 Argentine pesos (80 dollar cents) for the guided visit.

The tour crosses through the “Capitulation Hall”, where Viceroy Cisneros signed the capitulation and allowed the formation of the First Argentine Government, the inside patio where a few patriots awaited for its surrender, and a special hall where the acoustic play “Sounds and Voices from May” takes place. This play is and authentic historic archive that transportates the visitor to that glorious time.

Inside the Cabildo are exhibited paintings, portraits, pieces and jewels from the 18th Century, the state fortune arch, the old press installed by Viceroy Vértiz, the Oruro plate (a gift to the City Hall in occasion of the victory over the British during the 1807 British Invasions) and, in the patio, you can taka a glimpse of an old tank dating from 1835 that belonged to Manuel Belgrano, politician and creator of the Argentine flag.

OS POVOS ORIGINÁRIOS NO BICENTENÁRIO (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

A celebração do Bicentenário é um momento para sembrar da história e orgulharse dela. A Argentina nasceu na mixtura de raças e culturas. Não é possível pensar o pais sem a influência espanhola, sem a imigração (italiana, espanhola, judia, armenia, alemã, etc.) e, claro, sem os povos originários. São eles, justamente, os eternos habitantes destas terras, quens também se apresentaram nesta data.

A Marcha dos Povos Originários se iniciou ontem, desde todos os recantos do pais y chegará com as suas reivindicações até a Plaza de Mayom durante as celebrações. Do 12 até o 20 de maio, três caravanas que saem do Noroeste (NOA), Nordeste (NEA) e do Sul, fixam seu rumo na capital do nosso pais. Se calcula que serão quasi 15 mil pessoas as que se mobilizaram pelas rotas argentinas.

As comunidades Quom-Toba, Wichies e Mocoví recorreram as províncias de Misiones, Formosa, Corrientes y Chaco, desde o Nordeste, descendo por Santa Fe até Buenos Aires. Desde o Noroeste, as comunidades Kolla, Guaraní e Diaguita começaram descer desde Jujuy e logo, recorrindo Salta, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, Santa Fe e Buenos Aires. Desde o sul, finalmente, as comunidades Mapuche e Huarpe, recorrem Rio Negro, Neuquén, passando por diferentes cidades da costa atlântica até parar em Buenos Aires.

Seu objetivo neste Bicentenário é: “Refundar o diálogo cultural e político entre as Nações Originárias e o Estado Argentino. Encaminhados para um estado plurinacional”. Buscando em estes 200 anos de vida independente que Argentina reforce sua identidade e se aferre às suas raizes. Uma chance única para os turistas de conhecer aos habitantes originários de nossas terras, suas costumes e sua filosofia.

BICENTENARY’S EXTENDED WEEKEND (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The celebration of the Bicentenary (Tuesday, May 25th), along with the exceptional holiday of Monday May 24th, offers an extended weekend in Buenos Aires. That why Hostel Colonial prepares a unique promotion for you to enjoy the most important event of the year in our city. Bicentenary + free tickets to pubs, restaurants and discos + Pizza Party and a complementary beer.

In an exceptional location, just 6 blocks away from the center of the celebration (the Plaza de Mayo), Hostel Colonial gives you the best way to enjoy our city in its 200 years of existence. Three nights (May 22nd, 23rd and 24th) and late check out on the 25th. A “welcome beer” and Pizza-Party by night, where you can taste the delicious and famous Argentine pizza (not so Italian, not so American).

In addition, free tickets to the best pubs, restaurants and discos. La Diosa disco and resto in Costanera Norte is a great place to be on the night of Saturday May 22nd, first class electronic music and a great vibe. Crobar, a modern place with live bands and good music is another fine choice. In Puerto Madero, the ethnic food and the nightlife of Asia de Cuba are favorites of the Porteños. Finally, Rumi Bar, in the corner of Figueroa Alcorta Avenue and Pampa St., is a place where you can have a drink with your friends while you listen to the cool music. All-included in the promotion, and more…

After partying all night, comfortable beds will be waiting for you. The next morning, a complete breakfast will help you to recover to continue enjoying an unforgettable Bicentenary extended weekend. Hostel Colonial is waiting for you. Buenos Aires is waiting for you. The Bicentenary of Argentina is waiting for you. Only 100 Argentine pesos (25 American dollars), book now!

FORECOMING SHOWS: MAY-JUNE (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

In May-June, several bands will visit Buenos Aires. Hostel Colonial provides you with the information you need so you won’t miss your favorite shows. Which date, which place, where to get the tickets: everything you need is right here.

ZZ Top, living history of blues might even bring their famous chainsaw. The Misfits and the last living member of The Ramones (CJ) will cheer up nostalgic punk rockers. Manowar will gather those die hard fans of traditional heavy metal. For those who want to try some Argentine rock classic, Andrés Calamaro will introduce you to its fusion of rock and tango. Death Metal and Opera, Reggae and Modern Jazz, everything you might want in Buenos Aires.


Artist, Date, Place

Roger Hodgson (rock), May 11th, Gran Rex Theater (857 Corrientes Avenue).
Manowar (heavy metal), May 12th, El Teatro (7800 Rivadavia Avenue).
Napalm Death/Suffocation (death metal), May 14th, El Teatro (7800 Rivadavia Avenue).
Medeski, Martin & Wood (jazz), May 14th, Coliseo Theater (1125 Marcelo T. de Alvear St.).
David Bisbal (latin), May 16th, Luna Park Stadium (420 Madero Avenue).
Aventura (bachata), May 24th, Luna Park Stadium (420 Madero Avenue).
ZZ Top (blues), May 26th, Luna Park Stadium (420 Madero Avenue).
The Misfits/CJ Ramone (punk), May 29th, El Teatro (7800 Rivadavia Avenue).
Bob Marley Day, May 29th, Malvinas Argentinas Stadium (350 Gutenberg St).
Andrés Calamaro (Argentine rock), June 11th. Luna Park Stadium (420 Madero Avenue).
G. Verdi, Nabucco (opera), June 28 th, Lola Membrives Theater (1280 Corrientes Avenue).

To get the tickets:

Ticket Portal: www.ticketportal.com.ar
Ticketek Argentina: www.ticketek.com.ar

A RENOVAÇÃO DO TANGO (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

A contemporaneidade do tango, não está só feita do tango eletrônico. Quasi ao mesmo tempo que a famosa fusão que começaram Gotan Project e Bajo Fondo Tango Club, surgiu em Buenos Aires uma corrente que renovava o tango tradicional. O objetivo destes grupos era manter os instrumentos e ritmos originais, com mínimas variações, mais renovando as letras, falando dos temas modernos e apelando à cultura popular.

Hoje, este movimento alternativo do tango, mais perto do bairro menos mainstream, move milhares de jovens seguidores que cresceram escutando tango e hoje podem se apropriar de essa nova poesía, como um reflexo da sua realidade. Três agropações marcam a vanguarda desta renovação do tango popular: a Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro, La Guardia Hereje e La Chicana. Além de muitas outras que vem crescendo e se somando ao movimento.

A Fernández Fierro conta com o CAFF (Clube Atlético Fernández Fierro), centro ótimo para suas presentações ao vivo e lugar de criação e convivência da bohemia tanguera. São o grupo mais massivo e um dos que marcaram o caminho em termos de renovação. Têm 6 discos gravados e um público fiel. La Guardia Hereje está em processo de reconstrução após da morte do seu cantor e compositor no fim do ano passado. Este quarteto de tango crioulo tem destacado no cenário pelas suas letras entre cómicas e emotivas que tem captado a atenção do público. La Chicana, formado em 1995, retoma o tango tradicional e o mixtura com elementos contemporâneos, próximos ao rock. Têm 4 discos

BICENTENARY MATCH (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

Next May 24th, in River Plate Stadium, the Argentine Football (Soccer) Team will play its last friendly match before the World Cup in South Africa. In this occasion, the opponent will be the Canada Football Team. The Argentine Coach, Diego Maradona, will define the final list of players that will attend to the World Cup. This will be aunique chance to enjoy some of the greatest stars in football world that shine in the leagues of Spain, Italy and England, among others.

This match will be a breath-taking experience for those who have never attend to an Argentina match. May 24th has been granted holiday, in order to accompany the celebrations of the Bicentenary: this will guarantee a massive attendance. Nobody should miss the feeling of the concrete vibrating underneath its feet when the team runs into the field, the emotion of seeing millions of small papers flying to receive the players.

The presence of the players that will travel to South Africa is almost a fact. People expect to see superstars as Lionel Messí (Barcelona FC), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Diego Milito (Internazionale of Milan), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool FC), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich), amongst others. In addition, special spectacles commemorating the Bicentenary will take place in the halftime.

The cost of the tickets goes from 40 to 150 Argentine pesos (between 10 and 40 American dollars). You can still find available seats in every sector of the Stadium. For more information on how to buy the tickets, click here.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL IS BACK (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

From May 29th to June 20th, the most famous circus in the world returns to Buenos Aires. The Cirque du Soleil will present their new show “Quidam”. After the great success of its former presentations “Saltimbanco” and “Alegría” that gathered more than 350.000 people in our country, the new show is meant to be “an evolution that includes more technological elements and computers”, says Robert McKenzie, General Manager.

“Quidam” is an unique combination of acrobatic performances, technical skills, astonishing wardrobe and flamboyant settings under the supervision of Director Franco Dragone and Creative Director Pilles Ste–Croiz. Since the beginning of the tour in Canada, the show has summoned more that 9 million people in 20 countries. The cast is formed by 50 amazing artists from 15 different countries and the assembly wears more than 250 wardrobe pieces, 200 pairs of shoes and 500 objects in scene, plus suspended platforms that bring the artists closer to the audience.

In a cooperative creative process, the directors try to explore the different worlds inside everyday life, giving the characters specific characteristics that reflect their own personality. The soundtrack, by musician Benoit Jutras, includes live music (from violins to guitars) and vocal solos that travel from a childish voice to a strong male record that create and intense and sensitive atmosphere.

From May 29th, you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful spectacle in Buenos Aires. The show will take place in the Complejo del Rio in the North Area of Buenos Aires, Vicente López neighborhood, in the corner of Laprida and Bartolomé Cruz streets. The ticket’s price are in the range of 200 and 650 Argentine pesos (50 to 160 American dollars).