Visit Nimes on a Thursday night during July and August to see how to throw a party. Tourists, locals, singles, and families join in the festivities called Jeudi de Nimes that center around the ancient Roman arena and forum (Maison Carrée).
Visit Nimes
Maison CarréeOn this visit to Jeudi de Nimes, I was intent on watching the Tango exhibition. Along the way, however, there were markets, lively cafes on every street, and music and dancing of all sorts and origins.
80’s
Flamenco
There, in the back streets of Nimes, was the event I was looking forward to seeing. Tango dancers from around the area merged for an evening of music until midnight. Not a moment longer. City authorities in Nimes and other towns are very strict about noise. Fines are steep for anyone who disobeys party closing times. Definitely, a few dancers stood out from the rest.
Oh, that I could learn Tango just by watching.
I did learn there’s a strict Tango tradition. A woman can never ask a man to dance. It’s just not done. So women sit around the dance floor and wait until someone invites them to join in Tango.
The men check out the available crop of dancers.
Then, assuming everything goes well … and everybody gets along…
…almost all are matched up for the next Tango.
Thursday nights won’t be the same until this Jeudi de Nimes next year. I can’t wait to revisit Nimes. Meanwhile, tango classes start in Uzès in September. Hmmm…
