Tango Buenos Aires, a dance company from Argentina, gracedthe main stage of the Staller Center on Sunday, Feb. 23. Tango Buenos Airesfirst toured the US in 1986 and represented Argentina in the Latin-AmericanFestival held in Central Park. In 1995, the group toured the US extensivelyfrom coast to coast, gaining popularity and critical acclaim. The group isknown as the most authentic performers of the Tango.
The company and orchestra performed 30 dances, wowing thecrowd with dazzling group dances involving all five pairs of dancers andstunning pair performances requiring intricate footwork and turns. Theorchestra was an integral part of the show, and performed several times withoutthe dancers. The musicians were positioned onstage, making an excellentbackdrop for the dances and allowing the audience to see them better when theyperformed solo.
The dancers energized the crowd. They seemed toeffortlessly float across the stage, exemplifying grace; each movement wasprecise and sharp. In one dance, the women of the company performed together.They moved with great fluidity while maintaining good form. Their high kicksand sensual energy moved the audience.
The men of the company exuded charisma, energy andendurance, often lifting their partners high above their heads while spinning.In one scene they dance in turn, one man performing leaps, turns and footworkfollowed immediately by the next man. The stage was ablaze with movement aseach man performed individually.
Each dance had a theme. Some were sensual and intimate, witha single pair of dancers floating together in slow and rhythmic way. Other dancesinvolved the whole company, which lit up the stage with rapid-paced Tango. Theaudience responded to each dance with cheers and applause. The theatre reverberatedwith the cheers of audience members who were enthralled with the talents of thedancers.
In one particular number, called the ‘?Libertango,’performed by Omar Merlo and Natlalia Lavandeira, the Tango was performed withintricate footwork and grace. As they rushed across the stage, turning, theyperformed perfectly coordinated and executed kicks. The musical accompanimentwas very fast giving the dancers little room for error, but they performedflawlessly. And so it was throughout the entire performance.
