There is a lot of information about how tango made its way to North America and how it became popular across Europe. However, there are very few media reports available on how ballroom dancing, and particularly tango, made its way all the way from Europe and America to the Middle East and specifically to the UAE and Dubai.
From the influence of media, movies, and music to the growing expat population, let’s dive into the fascinating history of ballroom and tango dancing in Dubai in this blog post by one of the best dance studios in Dubai.
Also read our blog, which contains a detailed timeline for mastering ballroom dancing.
Arrival of Ballroom and Tango Dance in Dubai
Since the early 1990s, the world has seen many major developments across many nations. Out of all of it, the development and growth of the UAE have been phenomenal. With this growth, expats from across the globe came and settled here. In the early years of the expat population, people, particularly from the USA and different parts of Europe, had a great influence on the locals.
People not only from the business field started getting attracted to the vibrancy of Dubai and the UAE, but people from all fields like art, dance, and culinary started calling the UAE their home. If we have to be exact, the introduction of tango and ballroom dancing in Dubai can be traced back to the 2000s. By this period, many expats had started organizing small-scale dancing events. Often, the central aim of these events was socializing and get-togethers. With time, as the expat population grew, there were dancing instructors who started settling in here, and soon there were many dance studios, academies, and ballroom dance classes in Dubai teaching people various types of ballroom dances, including tango, salsa, cha cha cha, rumba, samba, and more.
The Early Pioneers of Ballroom and Tango in Dubai
No one person or institution can be traced as the pioneer of tango or ballroom in Dubai. It was communities of people who were passionate about dance and art forms who can be credited as being the pioneers of ballroom dance in Dubai. The dancing instructors who flew from their respective countries, the dance enthusiasts who danced while holding their jobs in the UAE, and the people who were supportive of ballroom dancing and promoted it to the people. All of these can be credited as being the pioneers of ballroom and tango in Dubai. These people organized formal and informal dance gatherings, workshops, and small-scale events. The venues for these events were usually hotels, community centers, and private clubs.
Here are 5 benefits of ballroom dance lessons that bring couples together.
Establishment of Ballroom Dance Schools in Dubai
As the popularity of ballroom dancing grew, there were many professional dance classes in Dubai. From downtown to the Jumeirah region, major districts and locations in the region started having ballroom dance classes in Dubai. Around the mid-2000s, Dance Studios Dubai was established, and to date, thousands of students have learned various forms of ballroom dances in our Dubai dance studio. Not only have thousands of dancers performed ballroom dances like tango and salsa on various levels after learning from dance studios, but many dancers have gone ahead and won many international dance competitions. Around the same period, looking at the growing popularity of ballroom dancing in Dubai, many similar ballroom dance classes were established across Dubai and the UAE.
Also, read our “9 Reasons to Enjoy Ballroom Dancing in Dubai.”
Growth and Popularity of Tango in Dubai
In the last couple of decades, many factors have contributed to the popularity of tango and other ballroom dances in Dubai. One of the elements that has made tango popular in the city is the availability of professional dance lessons in Dubai from experts. Another key reason is that many events, like expos and festivals, are organized in the country.
- Expos and Festivals
Now and then, the UAE hosts either one expo or another event. These events require modes of entertainment and performers who perform well and professionally. Many dancers who take only a few ballroom dance lessons in Dubai at Dance Studios Dubai can perform at such events. Additionally, in Dubai, there is an annual dance festival where dances from around the world are celebrated, and naturally, ballroom dances as well as tango are celebrated at this place.
- Social Media
Social media is another factor that has contributed to the rapid popularity of ballroom dancing. Many social media celebrities and influencers have made Dubai their home. These social media influencers not only make ballroom dancing a part of their lives but also promote it via their social media presence. Additionally, many Dubai-based YouTube channels promote dancing, further driving the growth and popularity of ballroom and tango dance in Dubai.
- Dance Competitions
Every year, hundreds of ballroom dance competitions are held in Dubai and the UAE. Both international and local ballroom dance competitions invite dancers from around the world to the city. This is another factor that is responsible for the popularity and growth of ballroom dancing in the city.
Current Scenario of Ballroom Dance in Dubai
Today, tango and ballroom dance are well-established in Dubai, with a thriving community of dancers, ballroom dance classes, ballroom dance instructors, and enthusiasts. Regular social dance events, dance parties, and ballroom dance evenings are held across the city, providing ample opportunities for the practice of ballroom dance and socialization. Experts in the industry predict that in the coming years, the popularity of ballroom dance and tango in particular is likely to increase by a double.
Conclusion
In brief, we saw how ballroom dances and tango were introduced to the city of Dubai and the UAE. If you are tempted to dance as well, then look for one of the best ballroom dance classes in Dubai near you and enroll right away. To join Dance Studios Dubai, call us or fill out our contact form , and we will get in touch with you.
