the ultimate Tango Show thread
 

Going to a Tango Show is one of the things many visitors to Buenos Aires want to experience. I thought it would be a good idea to start a thread where we can share information and experiences on the good (and also the bad) shows in town.

While a nice Tango Show can be one of the highlights of a trip to this city, its also a common tourist trap where visitors can be taken to the cleaners, not so much because of a bad quality show but especially with mediocre food & beverage services that are most of the time part of the Tango show experience.

Rojo Tango @Faena Hotel
 

One of the city's best shows is, IMO, Rojo Tango. Its held daily at the Faena Hotel & Universe. It is one of the more expensive shows in town, but I think its worth it... ^

For details, please see:

http://www.rojotango.com/

Tango Shows
 

Sorry Alex, you have great info about BsAs which I always respect, however when it comes to Tango shows, especially the ones like the one at Faena are tango for export and tourists. Not real or even good tango. I have be coming to BsAs since 97 at least twice a year, now dividing my time between ny and BsAs just for this purpose.

As you stated there are many tourist rip off's of tango in and around BsAs and while Faena's is decent I would never consider going to such a show.

There are plenty of real Milongas every night, some good some awful. The scene changes every night. The best thing I can say is that if and when someone wants to attend a milonga email me and I will be happy to see what is doing at what milonga. While a milonga might be good on a Monday it may be awful on Tuesday.

Also most milongas charge 7-12 pesos not the high cost at the shows.

While these are not "shows" many people just go to watch the dancing and there usually is a performance by some professional dancers. As an added bonus there usually is a lesson early in the evening included in the admission.

Or you might want to consider one of the shows at Cafe Tortoni on Avenida de Mayo. Sure, lots of tourists do go there too but mostly from within Argentina and the rest of South America. Limited seating so make a booking. You'll be close to the action and pay a fraction of what you would at the other shows, especially Faena's.
see http://www.cafetortoni.com.ar/

Hello NyTango-- thank you very much for your feedback, I guess we will have to agree to disagree in this instance.

Since I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you, I will speculate a little here but from your above post it seems like you are not the usual tourist or one time visitor that comes to Buenos Aires, but more a seasoned traveler that knows Buenos Aires well, feels comfortable going to just about all areas in town, and in addition you seem to be dead serious about Tango (my guess is that you are probably a Purist when it comes to Tango). I don’t mean this in a negative way, what Im trying to say is that you are passionate about tango in its original and classic form.

However, in my experience with visitors, 90% are looking for a different Tango experience. Many don’t feel comfortable in the traditional Milonga places, many of which are somewhat run-down and located in places where it seems intimidating to visit if you are from out of town. Also, most folks look for an evening program that also includes dinner, and want to do this at a place that they can “feel comfortable”. As you yourself state, Milongas can vary greatly in quality on different days of the week… visitors want consistency and no surprises.

IMHO, its rather harsh and unfair to brand a show like the one at the Faena Hotel as not being Tango or not being authentic. It is modern interpretation of Tango, it’s a dance that has many modern additions, is more physical and acrobatic, but most professional Tango dancers would take offense at the comment that they do not dance the real Tango. Just like any art form, I think there is room and also a market for the style of Tango (modern Tango) which is what is offered at a show like Rojo Tango.

Regardless, your post is the reason why I started this thread. I think its great that we have a Tango show thread where we can help folks have the info. to choose from all the different styles & offerings that are available in the city. Im sure you have a lot of information and experience to share about Buenos Aires, and I look forward to seeing your posts on this thread and this forum on a regular basis.

Cheers,
Alex

Great post Panam, I think the Tortoni is also a feasible option. Although, Ive heard that the service has kind of gone downhill lately, and the Coffee Shop itself is in dire need of a renovation. Still, well worth a visit though.

I love tango; I have been to three tango shows and the three were great to watch but unbearable to listen to because of the extremely high sound level: huge, and I mean huge, speakers right next to the restaurant tables, within a small lounge like a typical restaurant with a small stage in a corner.

Any suggestions for a place that will not perforate my eardrums? I'm not a tango expert, just the typical tourist, so I'm not looking for tango purity.

Viajero, have you been to the Faena/Rojo Tango?

Another option is the recently re-opened Cafe de los Angelitos. They have an offering of a few different shows with programs that include dance, song & orchestras that perform different programs.

Nope, are they reasonably relaxed (not ear piercing)? I tend to stay away from the high end places, because I love the tango show itself, not the "this and that au gratin with fine herbs from Nepal" nonsense food typical of haute cuisine places; give me a BIG steak with potato salad and a bottle of unlabeled house red and I'm happy. :)

[BTW, I had a look at the Rojo menu from the link you posted (thanks), and it turned me off: too haute for me]

Alex,, I don't disagree with most of your post and agree with almost all you post about BsAs ( except for driving without lights or dim lights) but that is an aside.

I confess to being a purist when it comes to tango. What most if not all the shows put on is an exageration of tango. Modern, Physical and acrobatic have nothing to do with real tango. In fact some electronic music is now called tango. Tango is the embrace, music and feeling. Most of the dancers in the shows are trained ballet and modern dancers who dance their version of tango steps.

This really is an ongoing debate and arguement in the tango community. Too much for this thread and not really important for tourists. Most of this is because the gov't of BsAs has learned that tango brings millions of dollars to the city. they now have ongoing seminars and workshops not for the dancers but promoters and business men telling them how to profit and promote show tango and even hold "championships" which were unheard of before.

All I am saying is that to really experience tango you have to go to local milongas and watch the tango how it has been danced for many years.

Go to the shows if you want but they will be expensive dinner shows with second or worse rate food.

So why not give the Cafe Tortoni (see link above) a shot? It is definitely not high falutin' and you may feel at home on Avenida de Mayo

NYCTango-- Do check out the Cafe de los Angelitos if you get a chance, I would love to hear your review on the place.

Being a dance writer (and a dancer about 1000 years ago) I understand this debate. I wanted to see authentic Argentinean tango on my last visit, and made a date with a friend down there to go to a milonga, but alas, she had flu and it did not happen. I may try again on this trip, but I don't think I would go to a milonga alone, because the primary purpose as I understand it is not to watch but to participate. Is that right, nyctango?

I went at the last moment to the Tango Piazzola show. The dancing was decent, theatricalized tango and I was lucky enough to be with a table of Argentineans (travel professionals who were being brought there to sample the place so they could speak about it to clients) Meeting them made it worthwhile - otherwise it probably would have been all tourists. The food was not brilliant, but acceptable and while it was expensive for Argentina, it wasn't by US standards - in '05 about $55 for the evening.

For the most part that is right, most people go to dance. But don't be put off by that. If you want to see authentic tango the only place is in the milongas and many people do go and just enjoy watching and listening to the music. For this it is best when there is a an orchestra and performance. That is why it is important to know when you want to go. It changes on a nightly basis.
As I dancer why not take the free lessons offered before the milonga.
Also I see you are in nyc,,, there are authentic Argentine tango milongas every night in the city. Also some are good others not so good depending on the night.

NYtango-- great input and feedback on your part... if I may be so bold to ask you, it would be wonderful if you could share your experiences at the different milongas and other tango related venues in Buenos Aires. I look forward to your posts and Im sure all others visiting these forums will also be very thankful.

We went to the show/dinner at El Viejo Almacen and were impressed all the way around. Food, venue and show were outstanding and not outlandishly priced (perhaps $70 US total).

We also went to Salon Canning and enjoyed that very much, for different reasons. Going to a milonga isn't the same as going to a tango show.

I apologize - I forgot to subscribe to this thread so only now saw the response to my question - thank you NYCtango.

I'm seriously considering taking a few tango lessons in NYC before heading down to BsAs. I don't learn fast enough to feel comfortable with a single free lesson at a Milonga - I'll just be pissed off at myself for tripping over my feet. Tango friends recommended Empire Studio and Robin Thomas.

I could go to a Milonga in BsAs on Sat, Sun or Mon nights - any recommendations either in NYC or in Buenos Aires?

Thank you for you input, NYCtango.

How about milango in Manhattan? We love to dance and love Manhattan.

We are just beginning to learn Argentine Tango, and, after years of ballroom, are having to unlearn a lot before we get comfortable with learning Argentine. ;) We struggle but were thrilled last night when our instructor told us at the end of the class that we were actually looking pretty good. For those of you who have not done this, it is very hard to learn, but incredibly sexy, challenging and beautiful.

We are frantically trying to prepare ourselves for August 10th, when we attend a Tango Caberet here in Seattle. It will be dinner and a tango show with Eva Lucero and Patricio Touceda, before they head off for a long tour in China. Tango in China--whodathunk? Following the show there will be dancing .

When we go to BA we really want to go to a milango where we can dance. Dinner and a little wine would be even more wonderful, but dancing is our main goal. Maybe you or that devilishly handsome Gaucho can make suggestions.

Dancing in Manhattan: there are places to go every night but each is different depending on whether you are a couple or single, dance traditional or "alternative". and each night they may be different styles or crowds. Please feel free to email me on any particular night for ideas.

this is a useful link ( this is not my website) it is by a fellow Tango dancer in NYC.
http://www.newyorktango.com/

Ballroom to Argentine Tango... as you are finding out are totally different and many have same problem unlearning things like posture, embrace etc but don't give up it is real fun when you get it.

B.A like manhattan different places on different days and night, except many more choices. email is best I hate to make general statements except Nino Bien on thursdays, Canning on Tues/Fri and El beso or down the block Porteno Ballarin usually are good and for a very traditional night I always say Sunderland ( a large old Gym) should be experienced on Sat.

see this link and at the bottom can click on photos of Sunderland and other milongas in BsAs
http://www.torito.nl/tango/fotos/bue...and/index.html


BTW don't be suprised about Tango in China,,, it is growing all over the world. The above link by Torito from the Netherlands also connects to his world wide Tango map and it shows Tango in Bejing and Hong Kong. We have danced in Japan, Italy, France, Holland, Germany,Istanbul, Moscow, Australia,Stockholm therefore the need for FT, and since it is very early I think I am leaving some places out.

Just don't give up however you might find it an addiction and "ballroom friends" might try an intervention.

While searching for the Portland Tago Festivals I made the delightful discovery that the New York Festival is the first weekend in October. That is the weekend that we had already planned to be in NYC to see our daughter perform at the Gramercy Theater.

Do you think that two more months of lessons will get us to the point where we can take the "Advanced Beginner" classes listed in the program? Our instructor is so amazing that it is a bit intimidating, even though she is very encouraging. I can barely believe how she can balance so perfectly on 6" heels and reach so far behind her. Of course she has been dancing tango for 11 years and is also a yoga instructor.

I wouldn't worry too much about our ballroom friends commencing an intervention. While we were traveling to D.C. this weekend, they were attending an all night milonga in Seattle. ;)

Go for it.. and attend at least one milonga..

Here is a very interesting thread with some reviews on many of the Tango shows available in Buenos Aires.

Please see:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic..._District.html

Review of Michelangelo Tango Dinner Show
 

I am currently in BsAs and made reservations through the Marriott Plaza to see the Michelangelo Tango Show. The reservations were made for 4 people for the VIP service. We were picked up at the hotel in a new model Mercedes at 830pm and brought directly to the hotel. Upon arrival, we were escorted to a special VIP room that was very private. Champagne was poured and a tray of very delicious appetizers was brought in. We were left alone to talk, laugh, and enjoy the beginning of our evening.
About 20 minutes later, we were escorted to our table which was located directly in front of the stage on the far left. The location was absolutely perfect. We were asked if we wished to continue drinking Champagne, which we answered in the affirmative and continued to drink 2 bottles dry. :-)
The menus were brought out. Now, if there is anything negative to say about Michelangelo, it would be the menu. The menus from online are NOT what they have when you arrive. This is not to say they are worse or bad or anything at all like that. Just that they change the menu from time to time, but don't update the website. The downside was that the VIP menu didn't contain a beef selection. This is Argentina for Pete's sake!! They had lamb, salmon, and chicken, but no BEEF! We asked our waitress (who was consistent throughout the entire evening. She started with us in the VIP room and stayed with us the entire night. She certainly earned her tip and then some.^^^) She said that we could select the steak from the Executive menu (which is a cheaper seating option), but could order the first course and dessert from the VIP menu. This was fine with us. We all ordered the same thing, ironically : prawns mixed with avocado, purple onion, and coriander to start, steak served with potato pancakes, and 2 had the dulce de leche flan while 1 had the chocolate fudge cake and another had semifreddo made from honey and green apples. Starting with the main course's delivery, we switched to a very nice Malbec (Adagio was the brand) and were very pleased with it. Another 2 bottles of that went dry too! :p The first course was excellent. Very good. The beef was a little bland. Not bad, not great. Just kinda forgettable. The desserts were divine. Absolutely divine.
The show as spectacular. There is a fair amount of singing in this show. There were 8 dancers and 2 singers. One member of our group is from Argentina and started singing along. I thought at one point he was going to jump up on stage and start to tango, even though he swears he doesn't know how to dance at all. The musicians were very very good and very entertaining.
I would give the show 10 out of 10. Very nicely done. The dancing was just fantastic. The singing was unique. A nice blend of the two.
The food, I would give a 7 out of 10. C'mon. This IS Argentina. Do your beef very very well, or don't do it at all.
For the drink, 9 out of 10. I am sure Gaucho100K can tell us there is a better wine out there than what we were served. So, I dinged it a point just for that.
Service I would give 10 out of 10. Our waitress spoke excellent English, served us with her best attention, and kept all glasses (wine and water) filled.
The driver was a handsome young man who almost killed us 12 or 13 times. Or maybe this is how everyone in BsAs drives. I will give him the benefit of the doubt. The building is extremely beautiful and historic. It adds a very authentic character to the dinner and show. This is a perfect spot for some romance and a lovely evening. I recommend it with ^ !

Link of Interest for Tango fans....

http://www.cafedelosangelitos.com/

As an amateur in the tango business I hestiate to throw in a comment but we were in Rojo Tango at the Faena + Universe this week. There are two or three observations that come to mind:
A. We paid through the Park Hyatt $170USD each for the package that included private car transport to/from the show, the dinner and the show, all beverages and tips. It's not "cheap."
B. The music seemed "raw" to me in the sense that either the sound system was absolutely awful (a real possibility) or the musicians themselves were ...um...awful. The music bore no relation to any tango music I've ever heard with a complete lack of crisp notes, the transitions were poor and the entire effect of the music on our night was LOUD without being particularly effective or adding to the mood. The only word that comes to mind is "raw" as to the music and I like tango music. I've never heard any tango music the way it was played at Rojo Tango. Which may entirely be a comment on me rather than them.
C. The venue is small, and the floor upon which the dancers dance cannot be easily seen except from the few tables facing the floor or (maybe) from the tables at the very back of the room (if then--we did not sit there nor see the view from there) because they are elevated. Part of the pleasure of watching tango is to be able to see the footwork. We were unable to see anything below mid-thigh. That was very disappointing.
The food was good (but not great by any means) and the price for the dinner works out to about $45 and the show works out to about $US126. One or the other includes the transport. Our understanding is that you cannot buy the show or the dinner separately and no one would want to buy the dinner separately at that price.
Our driver came to the hotel 20 minutes early which can contribute to a sense of being rushed. We are not sure whether that was the fault of the hotel mistaking the pickup time or the tango program driver in arriving too early.

Mrs. Info requests that I report she liked it very much. I thought not being able to see the footwork (and I am over six feet tall so it wasn't that I am short) and what I viewed as "terrible" music or a terrible sound system significantly diminished the experience.

I would recommend Bar Sur in San Telmo as a great place to go for a dinner tango show. While it was a little pricey, the food was nice and the atmosphere and the performers were great. It is a fairly intimate venue and would be great for a romantic evening. There is a wide variety of performers and they strike a good balance of trying to involve audience members at some times.

I really appreciate this thead. It is still 5 months until we visit, but as Gaucho100K points out, most visitors will want to see a tango show. For us, it is likely to be once in a lifetime. Mrs BamaVol is a former ballerina and I'd love to learn and dance with her, but I have no dance aptitude whatsoever. So we will go and watch. I'd feel more comfortable at a "show" than a milonga. I would really appreciate it if each poster mentioned price, since $600 for one night's entertainment is more than the budget will bear. I'd love to find the best deal - highest quality for most reasonable price out there. I'd like to be pampered too, but have a feeling the Mercedes ride puts that one over the top.

In a different thread, I posted the names of a few discount outlets that sell BA tango show tickets:

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showpost....postcount=1982

I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in seeing a tango show use one of these services, or otherwise find discounted tickets (like in a hotel package). The "list prices" on the tango show websites that I have seen are very inflated.

Tango show tickets are one of the most "intermediated" (is that a word? ***) products/services in Buenos Aires. The problem is that while the rack-rates are inflated (to include commisions to guides, drivers, etc.), its highly unlikely that a tourist that goes directly to the box office will get a discount.

The only way to get a break in price is to go through one of these third parties that get commision, and negotiate with them to share their cut. It does add another issue to the planning, but as Ive said its highly unlikely that the box office will give you a break, unless you are purchasing a very large group of tickets.

*** what I mean by this is that there are various middle-men in the sales process

without going into the entire post,,, I found this disturbing and outrageous. 340usd for a couple to go to a fake "tango show" is larceny.

I know that most people including those who claim that they dont want to do tourist things are opposed to the 'milongas" in and around BsAs. and think that if they go to a dinner show that they seeing tango,.. they are not.

Last night we were at Canning on Scalabrini ortiz, there were some tourist there some of whom even took the free lesson.. Some if not most stayed until around 1:30am and there was a full 12 piece orchestra, Las Reyes de Tango, a real authentic orchestra playing tangos, and a performance of two great real tango couples. each danced 2 songs. One was a young couple who won this years world championships. In addition you can watch tango danced as it is meant to be. I know the issues, It is not fancy tango for export, no one has a rose in their teeth, and you have to be prepared to stay late as the activity doesnt get going until after 1am,,to 3-4.

the entire cost is 15 pesos per person.. Agreed. no fancy dinner and not Faena hotel. but $10 usd per couple rather than 340. Drinks, empenadas etc are also avail and dont cost much at all.
there are milongas like this all around Bs As every night.. they change and performances change but they are there if you take the time and ask.

The owner of our hotel (the guy was from New Jersey) in BsAs recommended Señor Tango. After he'd left the lobby, the desk clerk and I continued the conversation. I mentioned that what was most important to Mrs BamaVol (a former professional ballerina and ballet teacher) was being able to see the dancers' feet and legs. He said Señor Tango was very "Las Vegas" and unless we paid a premium price, we'd be some distance from the stage. He also mentioned a horse on stage. I'm very allergic to horses and had to leave a performance of the Royal Lippizaner Stallions last year after 20 minutes. The hotel had a huge portfolio of tango show brochures, probably more than 20 or 30, but I asked his opinion. He recommended La Ventana and I asked him to arrange it.

Cost: AR$250 pp. This included dinner and RT bus transportation between the hotel and show (very necessary after 2 bottles of wine). It did not include service, which I was unsure how to value, so left AR$50. The location was somewhere in San Telmo. The bus ride was fine except for sharing a seat with Sr. I-bathe-in-cheap-aftershave. We picked up pax at several hotels, including the Intercontinental and were the only non-Spanish speakers on the bus (Sr & Sra Aftershave were honeymooners from Peru). There were tango lessons beforehand which BamaVol Jr #3 took advantage of due to the overwhelming beauty of one of the dancers. Pre-dinner beers were AR$15 each. The venue may have held 75, but there were multiple stages I think, because I did not see any of our busmates in the room. The majority of other guests around us appeared to be from the US based on overheard conversations. We were 3 seats back from the stage. We did not pay the additional AR$100 each for seats at the stage. There was a 5 piece band that was excellent, 2 singers and 5 couples dancing. There were 2 variety acts: a man who performed one song on wooden flute and another on pan pipes (both familiar tunes) and a, for lack of better title, bolo-bouncer. The flutist was quite talented. The bolo-bouncer sucked and detracted from the overall performance. We were given a choice of menus in Spanish or English. Dinner was cruise ship quality or slightly better. There were 3-4 choices for appetizer, entree, dessert. We selected a variety: (A:warm goats cheese, empenadas E:bife de lomo, baby pork D:Profiteroles, apple stciks w/vanilla ice cream) We were allotted one bottle of wine (private label Malbec, which was decanted prior to serving) per couple. Since we were 3, we got a second bottle at no charge. The finale was a patriotic rendition of "Don't cry for me, Argentina" from Evita with lots of marching and flag-waving. Then the dancers made themselves available for a couple tangos with the guests. Mrs BamaVol and BamaVol Jr #3 danced while I took pictures. There was a professional photographer before the show who took a group photo of us entwined with the performers in tango poses. It was well done and we paid AR$40 for a copy.

Venue: 8 out of 10 (intimate room elaborately decorated, table nicely set)
Band: 10 out of 10 (incredible guitarist)
Singers: 8 out of 10 (not attractive, call me shallow)
Music: 7 out of 10 (the finale was too hokey, tangos sound similar to my ear)
Dancers: 11 out of 10 (Mrs BV score, particularly one handsome young man :D)
Choreography: 9 out of 10 (Mrs BV score)
Food: 6.5 out of 10
Service: 8 out of 10 (glass stayed full, food coordinated, not rushed)
Wine: 7 for quality, 9 for quantity
Variety acts: (6+0/20)=3
Transport: 7 out of 10

Overall: 7 .7 out of 10. I felt it was good value for the price.

BamaVol-- excellent report on the Tango show!!! ^ Kudos to you sir!

sorry Alex,, on this I once again have to disagree. This is not tango... It is tango for export ,,, for tourists. and 250ar pp this is a giant ripoff.

I read the report and am totally put off by it. If tourists want to go see this and think it is tango, fine but you are kidding yourself.

NYTango-- I think you are misreading my post... but then again, maybe we will just have to agree to disagree. First of all, my above post was to complement the report itself, not taking sides with how good/bad or how authentic (or not) the show itself is.

Your position on Tango is very clear to me... as while I respect your views on what real Tango is, I think that you are a 200% purist when it comes to Tango... and, therefore, your expectations and demands with what a Tango show needs to offer is very very unique. Without getting too deep into the discussion of what "real" Tango is, I think you are missing the rather important point that 99% of visitors to EZE are not looking for your vision of "pure" Tango. This is neither good nor bad... its just the way it is... most visitors would be put off with a 200% traditional milonga show, it would be too austere, have music that comes across as "not exciting enough" etc. etc.

Trust me... I can understand your taste in Tango but I have enough experience with this topic and know people in this business that have refined a product that works with most visitors. As to the real vs. un-real or fake Tango discussion... I would urge you to tell some of the dancers in these "modern" shows that what they dance is not Tango... just make sure you are braced for their reply.

One issue where you and I do agree is that prices for these shows are overpriced. Sure, most of them do offer services like transportation, dinner/wine, etc. - but despite all this I do agree with you that prices are way too "touristy".

Cheers,
Alex

PS: Ive edited my post so that its more clear what I meant to describe as excellent.

Alex, I understand what you are saying, and i don't think we really disagree that much. I am not as much a purist as you think. The tango world itself is coming to grips with traditional "close embrace" /milonguero style , and the "tango nuevo" being danced in a few places in BsAs as well as around the world.

My objection is really shared by almost all in tango. The "shows" are comical versions of tango.. They get wilder and frankly stupider every year. They are put on by business men who are taking advantage of the tourist interest in what they think tango is. The prices as we agree are outrageous. This isnt to say that they are wrong to do so. Just that do not believe you are seeing tango.

As to your comment that i say what I fell to dancers in these shows. I actually know many of them. They are young dancers ( mostly ballet trained or in folklore) who are trying to make a living at dance. They know what they are doing isn't tango but that is not the point. They have to live. I know many of the as they do show up later in the evening that milongas and dance real tango and laugh about the shows and costumes.

There is also the World Tango championships taking place over then next month or so ( I dont have exact dates) that tourists can go to

There actually is a real tango show in BsAs. the Miguel Zotto show at the Astral Theater on Corrientes. Tango x2. While it is a performance of show tango in also has elements of real tango and is composed of real traditional dancers highly trained and great at what they do.

Where can you find real Tango, then? I live with Argentines here, and they all recommended La Ventana as did my professors from my University here in Argentina.

I just booked La Ventana for this Friday, and I used an agency that has booked other travel and shows for me. I am getting the same as BamaVol for 190pp. I assume it is a little cheaper because I know the people at the agency and because I speak Spanish. Hotels are always going to charge extra.

At any rate, even a few of my friends who are Tango dancers have told me the average Milonga these days is NOTHING like the past. Everyone caters to tourists these days, and the current shows are just a nouveau "spin"on traditional Tango.

If you are a purist so be it. I can respect that, but also respect those of us who simply want a show and a good time.

echyde,

By all means, go see the show at La Ventana. We enjoyed ourselves. The music and dance is excellent (if inauthentic) and the food and wine were not bad at all. Good for you that you got a better price. ^

It's a performance. Would I go see Beatlemania (or whatever impersonation show was available) if I visited Liverpool? Yes. Would I believe and tell friends I had seen the Beatles? No. I would post a review here on FlyerTalk and let others decide for themselves whether it was worth the price.

I understand devotion to art for art's sake. Ask Mrs BamaVol about "ballet competitions" and little girls receiving trophys for dance performances and she sounds just like nytango! We all see the world a little differently. It doesn't sound like you'll be indignantly storming out of the show, so go. If you have time for something authentic, and nytango can give you good directions, I'd love to hear about your experience. If not here, then pm me.

On our visit to Buenos Aires, we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner and tango show at Esquina Carlos Gardel

My 'Expert' Tango Opinion
 

While I, too would have projectile vomited had I attended any event in Argentina where Andrew Lloyd Webber music was performed, there is, lest we forget, a special seat next to a slot machine-playing geriatric who has lots of family photos to show you on that slow bus to Las Vegas-In-Hell for those who wish to impose a fundamentalist view on the cultural treasures of others. But I digress.

Club del Vino (on Cabrera in Palermo Soho) is a great place to hear tango music and have a good dinner and drinks. Check the calender to make sure there is tango music that evening.

All members of the BillScann clan are suckers for two of the outdoor performers one sees every weekend in Recoleta park. They perform not quite out of earshot of one another down by the banyan tree, making for an interesting contra-temps.

The first is a sad, shabbily-dressed elderly gent who sings and moves to a recording of a much younger version of himself, a portrait of whom he sees as he performs. While no one actually stops and listens to him sing (it's all too Maugham-esque for anyone to bear), you and everyone else will watch him out of the corner of your eye as you scurry past on your way to buy ice cream, knowing that this man is, well, you-know-who in X Years.

The second is a couple in their late 20's in full dressed-to-kill tango mufti, armed with nothing other than a boom box and their own prodigious talent. Interestingly, it is mostly a local crowd who stop and watch this couple, for many visitors seem to think that that which performed freely, is without value.

We skipped the tourist-oriented Tango show and went to a late afternoon Milonga and watched local BA citizens strut their stuff. It may not be as flash and the talent may not be show caliber, but I think it is more authentic and a heck of a lot cheaper if you only want to spend an hour.