3277  Review: Maria de BsAs and Avantango in Albuquerque

Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:56:18 -0700
From: Paul Akmajian <milonguero505@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Review: Maria de BsAs and Avantango in Albuquerque

We were truly blessed in Albuquerque this February to have had two very
excellent tango shows: "Maria de Buenos Aires" and Avantango.

"Maria" was locally produced by the National Hispanic Cultural Center, using
Argentine musicians, singers and creative staff, along with local dancers
and musicians. It ran over two weekends to rave reviews and packed houses.
Alas, if you didn't see it, there won't be another chance.

Cast members included Corina Harry (Maria); Ignacio Gadano (El Duende); and
Martin de Leon (Cantor). Musicians included Fernando Marzan (piano); Daniel
Buffa (bandoneon); Alejandro Sancho (guitar); and Roberto Santocono (double
bass). Conductor: Javier Alejandro Lorenzo; Set Designer: Horacio Pigozzi;
Choreographer: Alejandro Cervera; Lighting designer: Eli Sirlin; Costume
designer: Mini Zuccheri.

In what seemed like a scheduling nightmare, the closing of "Maria" fell on
the same night as Avantango. Incredibly, both shows were packed -- with
Avantango playing in a 2000-seat theater to a standing ovation.

Avantango's show was superb. The music was great and the dancing was
mind-blowing. If you have a chance to see it, GO. Watch for upcoming dates:
4/9 College of Staten Island, NY; 8/28 Cascade Music Festival, Bend, OR; 9/1
Santa Monica Piers, LA; 9/11 Lancaster CA, and 9/28 Kutztown College, PA.
These are full shows. In between, some of the company may be available for
workshops, classes, milongas, smaller performances, or a combo thereof.
Contact Pablo Aslan if interested: Contrabajo@aol.com

Avantango ensemble members for the show here were: Pablo Aslan (bass);
Damian Torres (bandoneon); Leonardo Suarez Paz (violin); Diego Urcola
(trumpet); Oscar Feldman (sax); Emilio Solla (piano); and Roxana Fontan
(vocals). Dancers: ³Junior² Cervilla, Mariela Franganillo, Armando
Orzuza, Guillermina Quiroga and Nuria Martinez.

In conjunction with the shows, the Tango Club of Albuquerque sponsored
special events and milongas. We did a little demo milonga in the theater
lobby prior to Avantango, hopefully providing a small appetizer for their
fabulous show. You can view pictures from our lobby demo by going to our
website: https://www.geocities.com/tango_abq/photos.html (click on
Demo/milonga..)

We have no financial interest whatsoever in either of these shows...

Paul