Considered Argentina's gift to the world, tango is one of the most alluring and exciting dance forms, evoking sensuality and intrigue, lust, raw energy and knife-edge precision. The Pittsburgh Dance Council presents the Tango Fire dance company from Buenos Aires, Argentina in the Pittsburgh premiere of Tango Inferno, on Saturday, February 12, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. at the Byham Theater. "Rarely has the tempestuous tango looked like so much exuberant, out-and-out fun... This is tango with a big smile and boisterous high jinks performed by exquisitely skilled dancers with spirit and charisma to match" (The Boston Globe).
Tickets ($19-$45) may be purchased at the Box Office at Theater Square, online at www.pgharts.org, or by calling (412) 456-6666. First Commonwealth is the proud season sponsor of Pittsburgh Dance Council, and WDUQ 90.5 FM is the media sponsor.
About Tango Fire
Under the choreographic and artistic direction of Yanina Fajar, Tango Fire a company of exceptional singers, dancers and musicians has been performing together as a dance troupe since 2005. This combination of hot talent collaborates to bring the passion and sensuality of tango to a sizzling stage performance. "A sizzling, sensual taste of the real thing...sexual electricity crackling at the arch of an eyebrow, exploding at the twitch of a hip" (The Evening Standard, London). The company's first world-wide tour titled Tango Fire was met with phenomenal success. Audiences and critics have universally agreed that Tango Fire is the hottest, most irresistible tango company performing in the world today.
Artistic director, choreographer, and dancer Yanina Fajar was born in Pergamino, Buenos Aires and began dancing at the age of six. Yanina studied dance at Fracasi Conservatoire of Dance obtaining a degree in Arabian Bellydance, Spanish Folklore dance and Argentine Folklore dance. She has studied with the best tango dancers in Argentina including Sandra Butz and Gabriel Ortega, Silvio Lavia, Nito and Elva García, and Pepito Avellaneda.
About Tango Inferno, newest choreography byTango Fire
Tango Inferno, created by director Yanina Fajar and assistant choreographer and dancer German Cornejo, is the newest and most passionate tango show from the repertoire of Tango Fire. It sets the stage ablaze with ten brilliant dancers, supported by the critically acclaimed quartet of musicians known as Quatrotango. Tango Inferno entices and enthralls its audience with the delights of tango, a most alluring and intoxicating form of dance. Tango has always evoked sensuality, intrigue, lust and provocation. In the new show Tango Inferno, Tango Fire traces the dance from its origins in the red light district of Buenos Aires to the popular public dances of today known throughout Argentina as the Milonga, and through its more recent evolution into the world of contemporary ballroom.
German Cornejo, assistant choreographer of the show Tango Inferno and dancer for the company, was born in Zárate, Buenos Aires Province. At the age of 10, German started studying tango and by age15, he obtained a degree from Gatell Conservatory of Dance with the honorable title of Master of Tango. In addition to performing, German is also regarded as one of the best teachers of Show Tango in Buenos Aires with many of his students reaching top positions over the past four years in the finals in the Tango World Cup.
Each year, the Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, showcases a world-class season of dance. As the largest presenter of international performances in the city, the Dance Council continues to help make our Cultural District one of the country's leading arts and entertainment centers.
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is a non-profit organization whose mission is the cultural and economic development of Pittsburgh's 14-block Cultural District through public and private support. The Trust presents and encourages diverse performing and visual arts programs within the District, and is an impetus for additional development in downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the Pittsburgh Dance Council, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the PNC Broadway Across America-Pittsburgh series, Trust Presents, Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and Children's Festival, CD Live, JazzLive, First Night Pittsburgh, Gallery Crawl, and Three Rivers Arts Festival, among other Cultural District and arts events. The Trust owns Theater Square and the Cabaret at Theater Square; James E. Rohr Building & Arts Education Center; the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham, O'Reilly, and Harris Theaters; visual arts galleries: Wood Street Galleries, at 601 Wood Street; SPACE, at 812 Liberty Avenue and 937 Liberty: a multipurpose performance and exhibit space, among other downtown arts facilities. www.pgharts.org
