Argentine Dance Troupe Tango Fire Performs Philadelphia Premiere of Tango Inferno

Buenos Aires-based dance company Tango Fire returns to Philadelphia with the premiere of Tango Inferno: the Fire Within at the Merriam Theater on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 3pm. Choreographer and principal dancer Yanina Fajar leads ten torrid dancers on stage through the evolution of tango, from its red-light district origins in Buenos Aires to the elegant ballroom dance it is today. German Cornejo, 2005 World Champion of Tango, joins the group, along with critically acclaimed quartet Quatrotango, and Latin singer Jesus Hidalgo, eliciting an electrifying, seductive, passionate performance of this 19th century Argentine art form.

Tickets for Tango Inferno are $35, $45, and $65 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply). For group sales call 215-790-5883.

Founded in 2005, Tango Fire dance company has performed with phenomenal success the program Tango Fire: Flames of Desire, in some of the most prestigious concert halls and theaters all over the world - including venues in London, Sydney, Shanghai, Zurich, Johannesburg, Seoul and sold-out shows in New York and Los Angeles.

Born in Pergamino, Argentina, Tango Fire Director of Choreography Yanina Fajar began studying dance at the age of six - concentrating on Arabian, Spanish, Argentine folk dancing and tango. In 1994, Fajar graduated from the Fracassi Conservatory as a teacher of Arabian, Spanish and Argentine folklore dance. After co-directing the first official ballet dance school in Argentina, Fajar joined several international tours with performances in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. In 2005, Fajar joined Tango Fire for the Buenos Aires' production of Tango Fire: Flames of Desire as a dancer and choreographer's assistant, and was promoted to director of choreography in 2008. In the dance group's new program, Tango Inferno, Fajar dances with partner Mariano Balois, an award-winning dancer also from Argentina who joined Tango Fire in 2009.

Tango Fire Assistant Choreographer German Cornejo was born in the small town of Zárate near Buenos Aires in 1986. At age 10, Cornejo began studying tango, and when he was 15 years-old, he obtained a degree from Gatell Conservatory of Dance with the honorable title of Master of Tango. After seven gold medals obtained in a series of Contests for Youth in Buenos Aires Province, and more than 20 first prizes at national level, Cornejo was titled World Champion of Tango in 2005. Cornejo is regarded as one of the best teachers of show tango in Buenos Aires - with many of his students reaching top positions in the finals in the Tango World Cup in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. In Tango Inferno, Cornejo's partners with dancer Carolina Giannini. The duo has danced together since 2006.

Kimmel Center Presents
January 30, 2011 | 3 pm
Merriam Theater

Yanina Fajar, Director of Choreography

German Cornejo, Assistant Choreographer

Dancers:
Mariano Balois & Yanina Fajar
German Cornejo & Carolina Giannini
Sebastian Alvarez & Victoria Saudelli
Juan Malizia & Florencia Roldan
José Fernández & Melody Celatti

Quatrotango:
Gabriel Clenar, Piano
Hugo Satorre, Bandoneon
Marcelo Rebuffi, Violin
Gerardo Scaglione, Double Bass

Jesus Hidalgo, vocals

Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, and the University of the Arts' Merriam Theater. Our mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience from throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

The 2010/2011 season is sponsored by Citi, and the Broadway 2010/2011 season is sponsored by Verizon, and American Airlines. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.

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