The first Triad Tangofest will celebrate the passion, drama and excitement of Argentine tango dance and music from Feb. 2-5. Organized by Wake Forest University Assistant Professor of Music Jacqui Carrasco, the Tangofest will include performances by the internationally known New York Tango Trio and by faculty from Wake Forest and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
On Feb. 2, the festival will open with a concert, “The Music of Tango and Astor Piazzolla,” at 8 p.m. in Wake Forest University’s Brendle Recital Hall. The program highlights the music of Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla. Piazzolla is most celebrated for his creation of the “nueva tango,” or new tango, which infuses traditional tango with jazzy harmonies. The first half will feature Piazzolla’s “Five Tango Sensations for BandoneÛn and String Quartet” in addition to several of his popular tangos such as “Adios Nonino.”
Argentine-born David Alsina of the New York Tango Trio will play the bandoneÛn, an accordion-like instrument. The McIver Ensemble, the resident faculty string ensemble at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (John Fadial, violin; Scott Rawls, viola; and Elizabeth Anderson, cello) and Jacqui Carrasco will join forces as the string quartet behind Alsina’s bandoneon. Carrasco is a former member of the New York Buenos Aires Connection.
For the second half of the concert, Carrasco and the New York Tango Trio (Alsina, bandoneÛn; Pablo Aslan, bass; and Maurizio Najt, piano) will perform a mix of traditional and new tangos, including classics like “El Choclo” and “La Cumparsita.” Guest dancers Jason Laughlin and Anne-Sophie Ville from Baila Tango in Durham will perform. The program, without the dancers, will be repeated at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Recital Hall at the School of Music at UNCG.
On Feb. 3, Triad residents can learn a few tango steps at a tango dance workshop offered at Wake Forest’s Brendle Recital Hall by dancers Laughlin and Ville. The workshop runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $20 per participant.
At 8 p.m., “A Night in Buenos Aires-A Milonga” will begin at the Vintage Theatre at 7 Vintage Ave. A milonga is a special Argentine evening of social dancing. It will be an evening of tango dancing for all; no partner necessary. Music will be provided by the New York Tango Trio and violinist Jacqui Carrasco. A free group beginner’s lesson will be offered at 7 p.m. by Laughlin and Ville.
On the final day of the Triad Tangofest, Pablo Aslan, bassist and co-founder of the New York Tango Trio and a noted scholar of tango music, will present “Tango 101: An Introduction to the Music of Tango.” The lecture/demonstration begins at 4 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall at UNCG.
The Triad Tangofest is sponsored by Wake Forest’s Center for International Studies, Wake Forest’s music department and the UNCG School of Music. Jason Laughlin of Baila Tango, the Triangle Tangueros, and Steven Turner of the Vintage Theatre have provided additional support.
Schedule of Events:
- Feb. 2-“The Music of Tango and Astor Piazzolla” 8 p.m. in Brendle Recital Hall at Wake Forest University, free For information, call 336-758-5364
- Feb. 3-Introductory tango dance workshop 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. in Brendle Recital Hall at Wake Forest University, $20 For information, call 336-758-5364
- Feb. 3-“A Night in Buenos Aires-A Milonga” Vintage Theatre, 7 Vintage Ave., Winston-Salem, free 7 p.m. group beginner’s lesson 8 p.m. an evening of dancing with music provided by the New York Tango Trio and violinist Jacqui Carrasco. For information, call 336-724-2119
- Feb. 5-“Tango 101: An Introduction to the Music of Tango” 4 p.m. in Organ Recital Hall, UNCG, free For information, call 336-256-0148
- Feb. 5-“The Music of Tango and Astor Piazzolla” 7:30 p.m. Recital Hall, UNCG School of Music, admission charge For information, call 336-334-4849
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