Here on the prairie of central Illinois we have a wonderful conjunction - a developing tango community and a sculpture garden on a prairie restoration site that includes an abstract sculpture named 'Tango'. There are a male and female figure joined in dance, connected at the hip, with only 2 legs between them. The contrast of this larger-than-life black scultpture against the prairie sky on a clear day is magnificant.
We at Tango Society of Central Illinois are assisting the Urbana Park district in raising funds to purchase this sculpture, which is currently on loan. On Sat March 3, at the Phillips Recreation Center in downtown Urbana, we are having a Tango Fundraiser. The main event is a tango show - 'Tango: the Dance of Passion / Tango: el Baile de Pasion' tracing the historical development of tango from its roots in folk dances and milonga through the Golden Age and its modern representations on the stage and in the ballroom. The featured performers are Maria Castello from Buenos Aires, Director of the Rockford Dance Company and her partner Jacques Saint-Cyr, from La Tangueria, Ecole de Tango Argentin in Montreal. Local Argentine tango and ballroom dance performers will also participate. The show begins at 7:30 PM and costs $15. There is a reception prior to the show (6 PM) including hors d'oeurvres and beverages, as well as the live music of Brazilian ensemble Desafinado. The cost is $30, and includes admission to the show. Following the show (9-12 PM), there is social dance 'A Celebration of Latin Music / Una Celebracion de Musica Latina' including tango and other Latin dance music. Admission to the dance only is $10 ($5 for students). Admission to the show or reception also provide admission to the dance. For further information, please respond to this e-mail. Leonardo
