1104  middle-aged men dancing tango on stage?

Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 10:38:09 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: middle-aged men dancing tango on stage?

I have seen many tango shows on stage in the U.S. and Buenos Aires--Forever
Tango, Tango X 2, Noche de Tango, Solo Tango, Copes Tango Copes, and Tango
Argentino. Last night I saw Danza Maligna at Teatro Metropolitan. It was
staged twice last week as part of the V Festival Buenos Aires Tango. This
is the best show of tango I've seen in Buenos Aires in seven years.

Silvana Grill, Diego Bros and Fabian Luca are the creative minds behind this
production. Silvana, a 27-year old dancer and teacher who frequents the
milongas, wanted to dispute the idea that middle-aged men can't dance on
stage. She believes that tango in the salons is, in its own way, a unique
and wonderful show. She proved her point by having four mature male dancers
from the milongas on stage.

Ernesto Castello (Pupy) danced with Vanina Bilous, a teacher and seasoned
stage dancer. Eduardo Roberto Masci (el Nene) danced with Susana Rojo, also
a teacher and performer. Ernesto Garcia (better known as "Dany") partnered
Elina Roldan, who has taught for many years. Silvana Grill danced with
Jorge Manganeli.

This was the first tango show I've seen where the audience gave almost
continuous verbal feedback and applause to the dancers rather than waiting
for the number to end. It was exciting to see so many new and creative
things being done in terms of scenery, entrances and exits, and group
choreography. It was one hour of nonstop surprises. It doesn't contain the
usual eroticism or technical skill that other shows have, but it succeeds in
demonstrating the experience of these social dancers. There were no
elaborate sets or fancy costumes. Tango was the star of the show, pure and
simple. It's about time.

The highlight of the show for me was one milonga danced by Dany and Elina.
Dany is the Fred Astaire of tango. He is one of the finest dancers in the
milongas of Buenos Aires. He is a true milonguero with his own unique style
who has been dancing for more than 50 years. I brought my camcorder hoping
to catch some footage of Dany's fabulous feet. While they danced a milonga
con traspie, the stage curtain was lowered so that only their legs could be
seen as they moved from stage left to stage right. It was
incredible, and I captured the moment on tape. The audience went wild.

Two years in the making, Danza Maligna is taking risks by putting amateur
dancers on stage. But that risk has been proven worthwhile. They have been
rehearsing hours each day for months for the three performances during the
past week.

The on-stage orchestra is Agrupacion Vale Tango directed by pianist Andres
Linetzky. Carlos Corrales and Luciano Sciarreta (bandoneon), Alejandro
Shaikis and Virginia Di Salvo (violins), Anibal Corniglio and Martin Vasquez
(guitars), and Patricio Cotella (bass). Singer is Victoria Moran.

Unfortunately, there will be no more performances in Buenos Aires. However,
they will be going to France in June 2003 for six weeks with performances in
Paris and a festival in Montpelier.

Contact Silvana Grill for dates and locations: silgrill@yahoo.com

Pichi de Buenos Aires