“This book will turn a good tango holiday into the trip of a lifetime. Don’t leave for Buenos Aires without it!”

Steve Morrall, Tango UK www.TangoUK.co.uk

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Click here to read the excellent review of Happy Tango, published January 2011 in the UK magazine Dance Today. Thanks go to Carole Edrich who wrote the review, Julie-Anne Cosgrove who took the photographs, and Nicola Raynor the editor of Dance Today magazine; you can subscribe to Dance Today magazine here.

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“Got the book yesterday and read it cover to cover on the train journey to Southampton. I must admit I was a bit reluctant because of the title, but I immediately liked the essay at the beginning, and then when under Rule 2 you mentioned “bottom-feeders” you had me. A well-written, sane, straight-forward book about tango in BsAs and elsewhere. I like it, and will recommend it widely to beginners especially. Everybody needs to read the Rules. Great job!”

Andreas Wichter, Teacher and DJ at the Tangokombinat tangokombinat.de who are organising the first ever “Abrazos – Encuentro Milonguero” Festival of Social Tango in the UK in 2011.

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“Happy Tango is completely spot-on! I write this at the dawn of the third day of my own solo Buenos Aires tango adventure. I have three months to go and, thanks to Sallycat, I am not sitting in my apartment wondering where to go and dance, or wallowing in sorrow over not being asked to dance at the milongas. I jumped right into the overwhelming BsAs tango community on my very first night and rarely sit out a tanda. (And, no, I have not paid for a taxi dancer.)

Part memoir, and full of the most insightful information on dancing tango in Argentina, Happy Tango is not written like any other guidebook. Sally Blake shares her own experiences (pitfalls and all) to help the typical tango “tourist” blend in like a local. (This book should be handed out at Ezeiza Airport to all those with tango shoes in their suitcase.) Her delightful voice speaks as an experienced friend looking out for you, and you will thank her for it.

Sally’s “11 Rules” for dancing in BsAs and the “20 places to try first” are simply brilliant. Breaking down the dance venues by style and detailing the “need to know” of each locale is absolutely one of the most helpful bits of information I found when researching for my trip. And if you follow her rules, you will not only fit in, but you will find your own “happy tango.”

This 5* review was originally posted on amazon.com by Amy Allison (USA) of www.theintrepidtanguera.blogspot.com.

“If you are planning a Tango Trip to Buenos Aires or if you just enjoy reading Sally’s blog, you will love Happy Tango. She has organized all of the information you will need and more for a dance-packed vacation, to make the most of your time and to hit the ground dancing. There is information on the milongas, codigos, language, transportation, places to stay, tourist tips to Buenos Aires, she covers it all. I wish I had had this book on my first trip here in 1997… “

This extract is from a review originally posted by Buenos Aires tango blogger Cherie Magnus on her blog TangoCherie.

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“Sallycat’s book is clearly the best available introduction to the Buenos Aires tango world–and it’s equally useful for us domestic tangueros and tangueras. Sally’s insights are based on her practical experience among dancers, and she delivers her message with wit and verve. She loves tango and tango culture. One might say she’s immersed in it. But she never condescends to beginners, nor does she omit lessons for the experienced. The philosophy of tango, etiquette, hazards, rewards, psychology–she treats them all, in prose that strikes the perfect note. Do not visit a milonga again till you’ve read and absorbed her book!”

This 5* review was originally posted at amazon.com by Brad Bunnin (USA), tanguero and co-author of The Writer’s Legal Companion: The Complete Handbook For The Working Writer

“Happy Tango provides readers the inside scoop on the Buenos Aires tango scene and is an absolute must-read for any visitor — first timer or repeat traveller. I visited Buenos Aires in 2006 and 2009 and can attest that Sally’s tips are absolutely bang on and will help the reader really get the most out of their Buenos Aires tango experience. Tango has a mysterious world full of codes and culture that a traveller must understand to fully appreciate and maximize their vacation experience.

The book is very well-written and organized. Sally, the author, includes her tango “rules”, explains the fine art of asking and being asked to dance with the eyes (cabaceo), the A-Z of tango, lists the best milongas for tourists, traditionalists and the more nuevo/informal crowd (and great details about each that you won’t find anywhere else), plus shoe stores, schools and more. I love the ‘week at a glance’ milonga calendar! Happy Tango is like having a tango friend in Buenos Aires.

Happy Tango gets a very enthusiastic two thumbs up from a happy tanguera from Canada. I highly recommend this book to all my tango friends headed to Buenos Aires.”

This 5* review was originally posted at amazon.caby Vantanguera (Canada)

“I consumed the book in one airplane flight, it transported me back to Buenos Aires. The tone is accessible, conversational and informative about the very things you want to know about. I wish I’d had it when I went to Buenos Aires for the first time, but it will prove useful for returning tangueros also. The intricacies of protocol, like the cabeceo, are brought to life with some good, practical tips. What comes across most of all is Sally’s enormous affection for her adopted home. She writes from the heart.”

This 5* review was originally posted at amazon.co.uk by Ruth B. (UK)

“Our copy arrived today. No sooner out of the box than it was being read. Distracted me from my work very effectively for too long! Have done lots of dipping, which just makes me want to read more. Love it and think the advice is brilliant. It’s also funny and as it comes from your own experience is particularly captivating. It would have been great to have had your book when we were in Buenos Aires, and it will definitely come with us when we revisit.”

Lyn and John P. (UK), by email

“When I first got Happy Tango, I stayed up till three thirty in the morning reading it — just couldn’t tear myself away! It’s packed full of facts and survival tips, all presented in a lovely informal, friendly way. I actually felt that the author was chatting to me personally…”

Maggie Fawcett (UK), by email

“This book is full of the essential and invaluable knowledge that you can only acquire from sitting down over coffee with a good friend who’s been to Buenos Aires and picking their brain until you know all that they know… Happy Tango truly is an invaluable travel companion because Sally tells you the good, the bad, and every shade in between to make your (tango-in-Buenos-Aires) experience the fullest it can be.”

Debbi Hobson (USA) www.an-ever-fixed-mark.blogspot.com, by email

“What I really like about Happy Tango is that it comes across as being very personal (you can tell from reading it that the hints and tips have come from hard-earned knowledge!) and it’s very selfless in sharing that information.  And, you (Sallycat) manage to avoid sounding superior to those of us who have only been learning in the UK, and that’s pretty impressive.  I don’t feel like I’m being talked down to — lots of tango writers do come over that way, so well done for avoiding it…  All in all, just unadulterated praise from me!”

Matthew Cooper (UK), by email

“If you’re going to Buenos Aires to dance tango you should make Happy Tango your bible. It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need — and that’s what I’ll be telling all the tango dancers I know!”

Mark Brooker (UK), www.walkjivefly.com, by email

Thanks go to Mark, Cherie, Ruben, Sam, Jo, Hanh, Matthew, Nikki, Suzanne and Jamesy for the photos of Happy Tango currently shown on this page. You can see more fun pics from the Happy Tango around the World album by Happy Tango readers — find it on the book’s Facebook page, here.