THE VILLA URQUIZA TRADITION

An elegant expression of Tango de Salón, where the beauty of the walk, musicality and refined movement come together.

a neighborhood with its own tango style

Villa Urquiza is a distinctive tradition of social tango associated with the Buenos Aires neighborhood of the same name. Closely related to Tango de Salón, it is known for its poised posture, elegant walking, precise footwork, fluid turns and expressive musicality. Its movements can be spacious or compact, with an embrace that adapts to the dancers. Above all, it values elegance, balance and dancing with the music rather than simply displaying figures.

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

Villa Urquiza is not a completely separate dance style. It is a distinctive tradition within the broader world of Tango de Salón. So there will naturally be considerable overlap. 

Walking: 

Elegant, grounded and measured, with particular attention to the quality of each step.

Posture and balance: 

Upright, poised and controlled, maintaining stability throughout the movement.

Embrace: 

Adaptable, often allowing room for the turns and footwork characteristic of the tradition.

Footwork: 

Precise and refined, with expressive use of pivots, enrosques and other movements.

Turns: 

Fluid and controlled, often an important part of the dance's vocabulary.

Musicality: 

A refined sense of timing, with attention to rhythm, phrasing and pauses.

Overall expression: 

Elegance, precision and fluidity, without unnecessary movement.

THE DANCERS WHO SHAPED THE STYLE

The Villa Urquiza tradition did not emerge from a single teacher or choreographer. It developed gradually through the creativity of generations of milongueros. 

During the late 1930s and 1940s, dancers such as Carlos Estévez, known as Petróleo, and Salvador Sciana, known as El Negro Lavandina, helped develop the giro and other movements that expanded the tango vocabulary.

Other dancers brought their own distinctive contributions: José Vázquez, known as Lampazo, became associated with his characteristic footwork and arrastres; Gerardo Portalea was admired for his elegance and musicality; and Luis "Milonguita" Lemos is remembered by some tango historians and teachers as an important early figure in the development of the style.

Their influence travelled far beyond the neighborhood, helping shape the way generations of dancers understood and performed Tango de Salón.

THE MILONGUEROS WHO PRESERVED THE TRADITION

The Villa Urquiza tradition lives through the dancers who shaped it, practised it and shared it with new generations. Many were not professional performers, but devoted social dancers whose influence continues to be felt around the world.

Among the names remembered in this tradition are:

Luis "Milonguita" Lemos: Often cited as an early central figure in the development of the Villa Urquiza style.

Carlos "Petróleo" Estévez: Associated with the development of the giro and an expanded vocabulary of turns.

Salvador "El Negro Lavandina" Sciana: Remembered for his contribution to the development of the giro and enrosques.

José Vázquez "Lampazo": Known for his distinctive footwork, arrastres and personal way of moving.

Gerardo Portalea: Celebrated for his elegant posture, musicality and refined social dancing.

Finito Rivera: Remembered as one of the great interpreters of the elegant Villa Urquiza tradition.

Their dancing remains an important reference for anyone interested in the history and character of traditional Argentine tango.

HISTORICAL FOOTAGE

These recordings offer a rare opportunity to observe the older generation of milongueros dancing in their own time, preserving details of movement, musicality and personal expression that cannot be fully captured in written descriptions.

ALBERTO & ESTHER 

ALBERTO VILLARRASO "EL GALLEGO" & MARÍA DEL CARMEN ROMERO "LA TURCA" 

MINGO PUGLIESE & ESTHER 

José Vázquez (“Lampazo”) & Pocha

Gianpiero Galdi & Lorena Tarantino

Video: dancing Villa Urquiza style to "No nos veremos nunca" (performed by Orquesta Aníbal Troilo) at the Villa Urquiza Tango Japan Tour 2014