Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts Kicks Off 'World of Dance' Series with 'Tango Fire' 11/15

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College kicks off its 2008-09 World of Dance series with the return of the Argentine company Tango Fire on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 8pm.

Showcasing ten torrid dancers accompanied by the fiery musicians of Quatrotango, Tango Fire offers a journey through the history of tango, from its origins in the red light district of Buenos Aires to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties and its evolution to the world of contemporary ballroom.  The performance also features singer Javier “Cardenal” Dominguez, a regular performer in many of the most important tango houses in Buenos Aires, and showcases the music of Astor Piazzola, Rodriguez, and others.  The company has toured the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia and South Africa to high acclaim.

Born in the brothels and taverns of Buenos Aires at the turn of the 20th century, tango was originally the dance of the working classes – immigrants and country people drawn to the Argentine capital by its economic promise.  As elaborate as it looks, Argentine tango is actually an improvisational dance based on the four building blocks of walking, turning, stopping and embellishments. Even though dancers follow certain conventions, they never quite know how their partner will construct a dance, add an embellishment or interpret the music. Each partner brings his or her individual style and embellishments to the dance, contributing significantly to the excitement and unpredictability of the experience.  Argentine tango is danced in a closed position, with the partners’ chests in constant contact, adding a strong sensuality and passion to this unmistakable style.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn’s diverse communities, at affordable prices.  Brooklyn Center’s presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving schoolchildren from over 225 schools annually.

Tango Fire at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn
Saturday, November 15, 8PM
Tickets: $75*, $45, $30
*Gold seating constitutes the first ten rows of the center orchestra.  Multibuy and other discounts do not apply.

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday – Saturday, 1PM – 6PM
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 22

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Funding for Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts’ 2008-2009 season is provided by: Target; JP Morgan Chase; Independence Community Foundation; Con Edison; National Grid; Citi Foundation; Commerce Bank; Macy’s; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; Air Jamaica; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, established in the New York Community Trust by founders of The Reader’s Digest Association.  Additional support provided by the Best Western Gregory Hotel, Courier-Life Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, and The Brooklyn Paper.

Brooklyn Center gratefully acknowledges the support of the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York State Assembly: Assemblymembers William F. Boyland, William Colton, Steven Cymbrowitz, Diane Gordon, Janele Hyer-Spencer, Rhoda Jacobs, Alan Maisel, Joan Millman, Felix Ortiz, N. Nick Perry, Sheldon Silver, Darryl C. Towns, Helene E. Weinstein; and members of the Brooklyn Delegation of the New York State Senate: Senators Eric Adams, Martin Golden, Kevin Parker and John L. Sampson.  Brooklyn Center thanks the New York City Council: Councilmembers Simcha Felder, Domenic M. Recchia Jr., Kendall B. Stewart, and Albert Vann, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.

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