DESTINATION Tango captures the essence of Argentinean Tango. In an exciting and uncompromising performance World-renowned South American ensemble, “Otros Aires” give traditional tango a contemporary twist, while conserving the aesthetic origins of the music and dance. This spectacular show visits UCH on Friday June 26. This is an outstanding crossover musical experience led by the sounds of enchanting guitars, lively percussion and the lamentations of the melancholic Bandoneon.
Joined by audiovisual effects, glow and hip tango performers Marion and Enrique who recently featured on RTE1. The performance leads us on a mesmerising voyage through the rich tradition of Tango dance with sensual rhythms and masterful performances. If you’re going to mess with your nation’s music, be prepared for a tussle. In Argentina, the tango is seen to be sacred. The tango’s signature sound comes from the bondoneen, which is like a concertina. When Argentinean architect-turned-music producer and vocalist Miguel Di Genova began mixing trance with tango, seasoned tango dancers didn’t know which way to turn.
“We have that problem in Argentina with anyone who tries something new,” says the gregarious experimenter, “Tango people are very passionate.” He explains that, in traditional tangos from the 1940s and 50s, dancers know how and when to move, “when faced with a new sound or development of the musical themes, they can’t anticipate what to do next on the dance floor”.
Di Genova and his band, Otros Aires, join a handful of Jazz and pop-minded trailblazers who are leading the genre into the 21st century. Formed in 2003, the current core membership of Otros Aires, a clever play on “ Other Airs” includes Di Genova, Bandoneon player Omar Massa on keyboards Diego Ramos and Manu on percussion. The group takes traditional tango airs and remixes them into something that would be equally at home in a progressive big-city dance club.
Di Geneva’s experiment took shape after he had moved to Barcelona. The trained architect realised he couldn’t get a job in his profession, but had musical talents to fall back on. He says a friend had described the music as “designed”.
Di Geneva’s layers of rhythm and sound work on a subliminal level as well, working that trance magic of making your hips want to shake and your mind want to chill. Last year, Otros Aires introduced their multimedia act to North American audiences. This show in Limerick will support Ballyowen Meadows School for Autistic children in Dublin.
