What’s On? Byron Bay Tango Festival 23-25 August

Do you love to dance? Specifically do you love Tango? Perhaps you just enjoy watching the beautiful dance. Whatever fascination you have with Tango, you can satisfy it when you attend the annual Byron Bay Tango Festival, 23-25 August. 

The festival, which started as an informal gathering of those love Tango, turned into and adopted the name, Byron Bay Tango Festival in 2002. And since that time, each year people gather to share their love of this beautiful form of dance. 

Each of the evenings of the festival, attendees will be able to dance the night away at milongas with both DJs and live music from Mendoza Tango Quartet. During the day, you can practice your form (or start from the beginning) at practicas as well as expand your understanding of the craft through interactive workshops. Plus, start your day with, of course, because you’re in Byron Bay, yoga! 

All of the BBTF events take place at the Byron Community Centre, with most in the main auditorium. The daytime practicas will be in the Balcony Room. 

Registration allows you to get into a certain number of practicas and milongas, depending on the colour, or you can just pay as you go if you’re unsure of how many you’d like to attend. Red passes, at a cost of $410, gains you entry to everything over the weekend; blue passes include workshops, four practicas, three milongas and special events (not immersion workshops) at $250; and white passes exclude all workshops and cost $180. 

Festival Program

The main teachers for the weekend are Carolina Giannini and Leo Di Cocco. They will lead the immersion workshops as well as the workshops for more advanced dancers (those with at least 18 months of experience). They also will perform at the milonga on Saturday night. 

The festival also includes several special events. A book launch and performance art workshop by local Byron Bay artist and Tango dancer Jan Rae. There will also be a workshop on Saturday held by Sydney-based Tango dancers Sophia De Lautour and Paul Warren. 

Connected to the festival, but not included in the festival passes, is the Astor Piazzolla concert, performed by Mendoza Tango Quartet, which this year will have the theme of “Nuevo Tango: Influence of Classical Music on Astor Piazzolla.” The concert is from 4:30 to 6 pm on Saturday. 

Check out all the program details on the Tango Festival website. 

Bring your love of Tango and stay at Broken Head Holiday Park

Save your money for spending on this amazing Tango Festival by staying over the weekend at our budget-friendly Broken Head Holiday Park. Our awesome facilities won’t disappoint—bring your tents or caravans, or, if you prefer, stay in our beach shacks—and you’ll find great BBQs, a camp kiosk and friendly, helpful staff. So pack those dancing shoes and head for Byron Bay to Tango the weekend away!