It Takes Two...

You can't be in Argentina very long before you realize the importance of the tango.  Yes, it's a real thing.  Yes, it's a big deal.  No, Mark does not know how to do it.

Legend has it that the tango was invented in Buenos Aires in one of the neighborhoods called La Boca.  The dance form has become almost synonymous with Argentina (like beef and Evita) and has developed into a real cultural phenomena, complete with famous dancers, competitions, multiples types of tango, and recognition as a World Heritage intangible by UNESCO.

In short, when in Buenos Aires, you shouldn't miss it, but don't worry - when in Buenos Aires you really CAN'T miss it.  There are street performers in full tango regalia - which seem to consist of slightly over-sized zoot suits for men and for the women, dresses that their parents would definitely NOT approve - who will perform tangos for donations (varying quality).  The fourth of July party at the US embassy had a brief tango show/demonstration (very impressive quality).  But Anne did not attend the 4th of July event and has not actually seen a real tango show - one time she saw some street performers threatening to do some tango, but they never actually got into gear.

So, finally, after several months, Anne and Mark got a babysitter (shout out to Julie!) and headed out on the town on a Saturday night* for Anne's first Tango show  - Editor's note: this refers to the American version of "Saturday night" as it was dinner at 7, show at 8, home around 11, as opposed to the Argentine version of "Saturday night" which starts with dinner at 11, show at 2, home around sunrise.  Seriously.

The show was put on by the Borges Cultural Center, which is located not far from the Casa Rosada - which is even MORE rosada at night!

The venue was nice, if a bit intimate (probably seating for ~150).  The Cultural Center included art galleries and a couple of theaters and was located in the top floor of a pretty upscale shopping mall.  

The show itself was set up like a musical.  The plot was a little thin, even for a musical.  As far as Mark and Anne could figure, it centered on a girl named Maria who was going to Buenos Aires.  She was followed there by a boyfriend-type character and 4 couples who did a lot of tango dancing and changed clothes a lot.  That was pretty much it.

But no one was there for the plot, it was about the spectacle.  It is hard to describe the dancers without using the term "athlete."  They were all over the stage, rapid, slow, kicking, flailing, but always in sync.  Anne and Mark are certainly no experts on tango and can't say for certain whether this was a proper exhibition of it, but they can say it was a ton of fun and a very impressive show.

Upon leaving, both Anne and Mark noted that there were two things that took away some of the spotlight from the dancers.  First, since this was a cultural center, there were no drinks.  Anne and Mark were a bit dry and could have used a nice, cool glass of .... water for their night out.  Yeah, water, that's it.  

And secondly, the dancers nearly had the show stolen by the accordion player.

Having lived in Madison and traveled to Germany, Mark has seen a few guys play a few accordions.  Usually, they are in some stage of rolling out a barrel and/or having a barrel of fun.  But this guy was rocking out.  Not Weird Al rocking out, either.  He was straight up jamming on the accordion.   And you don't see that everyday, so kudos accordion guy (Gabriel Merlino).

Anyway, after the show, Anne and Mark walked around the neighborhood and then called it a night.

July 4th in B.A.!

Palacio Bosch is dressed up for the occasion.

To celebrate the 4th of July, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires put on a huge party.  (Since the 4th fell on a Saturday, the celebration was held on July 3rd).  The theme this year was "California," the home state of the current U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.  The crew putting this together went all out and put on the diplomatic spectacle of the year.

Cakes building bridges?  Yes.

Wha?  I can't even.....   ?
'Murica.

This party had everything - a red carpet, a showcase of high tech projects from Silicon Valley, a Hollywood themed tent with a live band, tons of food, cameo appearances by Mickey and Minnie, Miller Lite (served alongside several wines from Argentina and champagne) and about 1000 of our closest friends.

Before....

...after

 And since this is Argentina, we can't have a party without having some tango (more about that is another post, I would imagine).  So, after a certain point, all the Ambassadors and dignitaries cleared the dance floor and a couple of tango champs from Argentina showed us how it is done.

A great time was had by all - congrats to the 4th of July committee that put that event together.


On the actual Fourth of July, our trio did what you're supposed to do on the Fourth of July - grill some burgers and hot dogs and party with your friends.  For most of the crew, it was a little unusual celebrating the 4th of July with temps in the 50s.  Mark, however, is from Minnesota.  Although the 4th of July is usually monstrously hot in North star state, it probably has been in the 50s in Minnesota at least once.

Two hand hamburger hold

Gnawing away at that bad boy.

Work that Art

Super "artsy" art.

Anne, Mark and the HBomb have been in B.A. for a little while now, but have not visited the major art installations.  If they were visiting, they would probably have gone on their first day in the city, but since they are here for a little while, the urgency is lessened.  But finally, after a few months, Anne and Mark made it to El Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, affectionately known as "MALBA."

Although Anne disagreed, Mark thought this piece of reminiscent of that thing at the counter at Taco Bell into which you drop the quarter and try to catch it on the platforms.  If you do - free taco.

This museum is one of the best that specializes in art by Latin American artists.  It is housed in a big, beautiful building in one of the busier neighborhoods in B.A.  Compared to a museum like the Louvre, it is much smaller (although pretty much every museum is smaller than the Louvre) and gives each individual work a lot more space.

"Dueling Venus Flytraps"

The museum has a permanent exhibit and some temporary exhibits.  It makes little effort to segregate sculpture from paintings or photographs, exhibiting them all in the same space.  MALBA even has a "science project" artwork, which appears to be a fully functioning farm in a plastic box.

Obligatory Frida selfie

Abaporu - roughly translated, "the man that eats people"

MALBA prides itself on its cultural programs.  The museum puts on multiple programs involving cinema, literature, and conversation among patrons.  MALBA also puts a lot of emphasis on interactive exhibits.  The current temporary exhibit, which opened in June and will run through October, has the art of Rogelio Polesello.  Some of his acrylic stuff is below.

How Mark looks to flies.  Nothing creepy about that.

Perhaps inspired by their artistic experience at MALBA, Anne and Mark decided to school young HBomb on the finer points of a fantastic artistic medium - non-toxic finger paints (pretty sure that is what they used on the Sistine Chapel).

It took a little coaxing, as HBomb is notorious for not liking to get dirt, crime or other assorted shmutz on his fingers, but eventually the HBomber dipped his fingers into the paint and had at it.

Painting some happy little trees. - that leaf looks totally life-like.