The Tango
Discover
Tango emerged from the multicultural working-class communities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo in the late 19th century along the Río de la Plata. It was shaped by European immigrants, African, local criollo and indigenous influences. Many immigrants had left behind their families, homes, and familiar way of life, carrying with them feelings of longing, nostalgia, heartbreak, and hope. These emotions found expression in the music, poetry, and dance of Tango. In its early years, Tango was danced in the streets, shared courtyards where families lived, cafes, bars, dance halls, and some venues associated with prostitution. As the dance evolved, it become a social expression of connection, improvisation, music, and everyday life, bringing people together across cultures and communities. Over time, tango travelled beyond South America. By the early 20th century, it had reached Europe and became widely popular, especially in Paris. From there, it returned with new visibility and eventually became one of the most recognised cultural expressions of Argentina and Uruguay. In 2009, UNESCO recognised tango as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Today, Argentine tango is danced all over the world, but at its heart it remains an improvisational social dance built on connection, communication, and the ability to dance with a variety of partners. Each dance is created in the moment. Therefore, no two Tangos are ever the same. Perhaps, this is why Tango continues to captivate people across generations and cultures. It brings together elegance, creativity, musicality, connection, and presence in a way few other activities can. You do not need any dance experience to begin - just an open mind, curiosity, perseverance, and the willingness to take that first step. This is why tango continues to captivate people across generations and cultures. It offers elegance, creativity, musicality, closeness, and presence. You do not need a dance background to begin — only curiosity, patience, and a willingness to take the first step. At ¡Tango Otra Vez!, we teach tango as a living social dance: grounded in tradition, open to discovery, and shaped by each dancer’s own journey.
¡Tango otra Vez!
THE MEANING OF
¡Tango Otra Vez! means "Tango Again!". The name was created to capture the feeling of longing for tango whether it's the music, the embrace, the connection, or the joy of sharing a dance that makes it so special. It reflects a feeling familiar to tango dancers around the world, the anticipation of the next tanda, the next milonga, and the opportunity to step onto the dance floor and experience that magic once more.
Our Classes
Started Jul 16
70 New Zealand dollars
Read MoreBring a dance partner — choose to be a Leader or Follower and start your tango journey together.
Started Jul 16
120 New Zealand dollars
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1 hr
15 New Zealand dollars
Started Jul 13
75 New Zealand dollarsStarted Jul 7
120 New Zealand dollars
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2 hr
25 New Zealand dollars
Started Jul 13
75 New Zealand dollarsLoading days...
1 hr
15 New Zealand dollars
1 hr
POA
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2 hr
10 New Zealand dollars
Events
Join the Community
My tango journey started with the scene in *Scent of a Woman*. After seeing it, I sought out the local tango community and reached out to Kelly. My biggest concerns at the time were whether I needed to bring a dance partner and whether I needed a pair of dance shoes. Fortunately, these concerns were resolved after checking with Kelly via email. The first class I attended was taught by Kelly and another teacher. What a coincidence it was that my first day turned out to be the last day for another young man who had started tango for the very same reason: the scene from *Scent of a Woman*. Since then, my tango journey has continued. My tango journey has continued thanks to the support of my classmates, teachers, and the local community. Kelly and other important people in the community were especially supportive when I was just starting out, always encouraging me to dance. Tango is quite an intimate dance, and I was rather shy at the beginning. Because of them, I gradually found the courage to dance and even join milongas. I attended tango lessons weekly, starting from the basics. The fundamental steps were learned through group classes, while the embrace was something I developed mostly through private lessons with Kelly. Kelly is a very experienced and patient teacher, and every small bit of progress in refining the details always felt satisfying.
Sam D.
I love moving my body to music, and tango music immediately sparked something in me. It made me curious enough to give it a try. I started learning tango with Kelly about five years, and while the beginning was sometimes challenging, it quickly became one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Tango teaches you to be present, connect with another person, and let go of perfection. As I grew more confident, I started going to milongas and discovered what makes tango so special: the beautiful music, the connection, the welcoming community, and the friendships that grow along the way. There’s nothing quite like sharing a tanda and feeling part of something bigger. For me, tango is a kind of mindfulness. When I dance, I’m fully in the moment, listening, moving, and connecting. It’s a wonderful escape from everyday life. If you’re curious, I’d absolutely encourage you to try tango. Be open, trust the process, and give yourself time to enjoy it. One of the best things about tango is that wherever you go in the world, you can step into a milonga, meet new people, and feel at home. And yes - tango is addictive, in the best possible way.
Mihaela P.
I grew up with tango in the background because my mum loved it, but I never really paid much attention to it. That only changed a few years ago, when I began learning tango with Kelly. I may have a natural ability for some things, but tango dancing certainly wasn't one of them. As a result, my learning curve has been much steeper than I had hoped. At the same time, tango classes have demanded my complete attention, allowing me to become fully immersed in the learning process and, for those moments, forget everything else. Little by little, the journey has led me to a point where I can finally say that I can truly connect with my partner on the dance floor and begin to experience the magic of tango. For anyone thinking about starting - especially those who want to learn as a leader - the beginning can be challenging. But if you stick with it, it's absolutely worth the effort.
Patricio
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Albert Park, I saw some people dancing to beautiful Spanish songs. I had no idea what the song lyrics meant or what form of dance it was, but it all looked so elegant and fluid. There was something magical about it. I was too shy to go and ask, so I read the banner next to the dancing couples, looked it up online, and the following Monday I braved myself and went to the studio. It’s been almost three and a half years now. My first impression was, "Wow." Whatever it was, it was beautiful. My biggest fear was getting out of my comfort zone and trying something new. There is something magical and addictive about Tango: the form, the music, the intensity, and the emotion. After a long workday, tango feels therapeutic and soothing. The music relaxes my nerves, and the movements energise my soul. It has had a positive impact on my overall wellbeing. Little by little, the journey has led me to a point where I can finally say that I can truly connect with my partner on the dance floor and begin to experience the magic of tango. For anyone thinking about starting - especially those who want to learn as a leader - the beginning can be challenging. But if you stick with it, it's absolutely worth the effort.
Suleman
I had dinner with my friends. In the end, they said they were going to tango lessons. A glass of wine made me brave, and I decided to join them. It was at ¡Tango Otra Vez! and the teacher was Kelly. It was so good, and the music was so beautiful! I was totally charmed by tango. I started taking classes on a regular basis. I love the atmosphere Kelly creates in her lessons—both serious and funny. The connection with the music and the partner is the most beautiful sensation. A bestselling book about tango is called Twelve Minutes of Love, and it is so true.
Sergei
I wanted to dance Argentine tango because it looked so sensual and expressive, and I wanted to join a community. Walking into the studio for the first time felt like going back in time to a milonga hall in Argentina, with the old wood floors and twinkle lights. Kelly was extremely warm and welcoming, which put my nerves at ease. It's a good challenge to learn something new. Everyone is friendly and encouraging. It's a highlight of my week to come, and it's been easy to keep coming back. Tango has helped to build my confidence, meet people, and feel happier. Kelly is passionate about tango. She is a patient, kind teacher and gives helpful feedback. Dancing tango is a great way to connect and have fun. I think that something special happens when we connect and synchronise with another person to music. I highly recommend it to anyone, of any age or stage, who is curious.
Pautia
I was inspired to start Argentine Tango because I wanted to reconnect with my country of birth and a beautiful part of my culture. I thought about joining for a long time before I finally took the first step. I was a little worried that I wouldn't fit in, that everyone would be much older than me, that I'd feel uncomfortable with the close embrace, or that I wouldn't be confident enough. Those fears disappeared as soon as I walked into my first class. I found a wonderfully diverse group of people of all ages and backgrounds, and everyone was so welcoming and supportive that I felt comfortable straight away. Kelly is a fantastic teacher. She has a warm and caring approach and always finds creative, fun ways to explain the principles of tango, making them easy to understand without taking away from the beauty of the dance. As an Argentinian, I really appreciate that she stays true to the authentic style and spirit of Argentine Tango while making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. It means so much to hear the music of my childhood and see such an important part of my culture shared with genuine respect, care, and love. Tango Otra Vez has been wonderful for my wellbeing too; it helps me switch off, connect with others, and always leaves me feeling happy and relaxed. The sense of community and the improvements I achieve thanks to Kelly are what keep me coming back. If you've been thinking about trying tango, don't let your doubts stop you. You don't need any experience at all—just come along. You might be surprised by how quickly you'll feel welcome.
Marisol
Client Reviews
What our students say about us