Tango in Paradise: El arte de habitar el movimiento en el mar oaxaqueño - Revista COSAS México
Revista COSAS México
El escenario no podría ser más potente: Zipolite. Un lugar de fuerza indómita donde el pulso del Pacífico marca el ritmo de los cuerpos y la costa ...
Tango in Paradise: The art of inhabiting movement in the Oaxacan sea
There are experiences that defy conventional labels. They are not just festivals, retreats, or simple events marked on a calendar. Tango in Paradise , the creation of Argentine dancer and educator Pablo Cortazzo , is situated on that intangible border where dance becomes a living work of art. What unfolds on the Oaxacan coast during these days is an exercise in curatorial precision where tango, nature, and local culture intertwine to redefine the concept of a personalized travel experience.
A composition for the senses
Attending Tango in Paradise is, above all, a sensory immersion. From the very first moment, the audience senses that nothing has been left to chance. Every detail—from the choice of venue to the moments of silence, the musical selection, and the dialogue with the landscape—is part of a larger composition designed by Cortazzo. The setting couldn't be more powerful: Zipolite . A place of untamed energy where the pulse of the Pacific sets the rhythm of bodies, and the Oaxacan coast provides a backdrop that manages to be both monumental and intimate.
The dialogue of two worlds
What is truly remarkable about this proposal is the mastery with which it manages to integrate two universes that, on paper, might seem distant: the melancholic sophistication of Argentine tango and the organic warmth of Oaxacan coastal culture .
Far from being a forced overlap, these worlds converse on a unique frequency. Under the Mexican sun, tango softens, breathes differently, and loses its urban rigidity; in turn, Oaxaca becomes embodied, transforms into an embrace, and acquires a new cadence. The result is a natural and profoundly respectful fusion. This intersection transcends the aesthetic to become territorial and human: the festival actively integrates with the local community, incorporating the gastronomy, services, and knowledge of the region, generating a real and sustainable impact. Tango in Paradise doesn't just land in Oaxaca; it merges with it.
A constellation in motion
To elevate this experience, Cortazzo has assembled a true elite of international tango. Figures of the caliber of Corina de La Rosa, Miguel Bravo, Fernando Corrado, Paulo Mecchia, and Luis León join this endeavor. However, their role here breaks with the traditional logic of festivals. They are not “guest artists” observing from a pedestal; they are active participants in a human ecosystem. The close interaction, constant exchange, and personalized guidance eliminate the barrier between teacher and student, making each attendee a fundamental piece of the work.
Nights of ritual and immersion
As the sun sets, Tango in Paradise transforms. Each night becomes an immersive experience where lighting, space, and emotional atmosphere create ambiances that invite you to experience tango as a ritual. Here, the dance ceases to be a cultural practice and becomes a form of absolute presence . It's a game of exploration where the landscape and the encounter with the other dictate the rules.
Tango as a philosophy of life
This proposal is the culmination of over two decades of Pablo Cortazzo's global experience. In it, tango manifests itself in its purest form: as a language, as a tool for connection, and above all, as a way of life. Well-being, art, community, and nature align in a coherent and deeply moving experience.
Tango in Paradise is, ultimately, an invitation to move differently. It's the discovery that, when there's a mature vision and meticulous craftsmanship behind it, tango can cease to be just a dance and become a wearable landscape, a healing ritual, and a true work of art in motion.
