THE HOUSES WHERE TANGO LIVED

The first tango was danced in the streets and clubs of Buenos Aires in the mid XIXth Century. With the beginning of the XXth Century, it moved to one-night rental houses where large tango dances were organized. The high society back then underestimated tango and it was usually banned by the local Mayors, so tango moved to these private houses which worked as itinerant brothels.

The evening used to start with a large dance -in the house’s patio or main room- to the rhythm of a piano played by some of the most famous interpreters of that time. After that, the assistance (accursed poets, popular painters and writers and some men with doubtful jobs) invited a drink to one of the “girls” they danced with. The end of this evening was usually marked by the presence of the police.

Some of the most famous houses run by madams were:

La Morocha Laura. (Laura, the Brunette). Near the corner of Paraguay St. and Pueyrredón Avenue, it worked from the beginning of the XXth Century to 1912. This was the most famous house of that time where pianist Rosendo Mendizábal used to play.

María La Vasca. (María the Basque). In 2721 Carlos Calvo St., it was run by María Rangolla and had many famous pianists as: Manuel Campoamor, Vicente Greco u Ernesto Ponzio, entre otros.

Mamita. (Hot Mama). In 2177 Lavalle St. It worked from 1898 until the 10’s. Many underground tangos were composed there by the pianist Ernesto Ponzio.

Madame Blanche. A house run by a French madam in 775 Montevideo St. It was the best located house, near Downtown Buenos Aires.

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