The Shall We Tango NYC festival celebrates Pan American Musical Art Research's 30th anniversary and honors the renowned Argentinian Tango musician Anibal Troilo, renowned bandoneonist and musical composer during the Golden Age of Tango in the 1940's and 50's. Polly Ferman, Creator/General Director of the festival as well as founder of PAMAR, welcomed audience members to the opening concert on Tuesday, October 7th at Symphony Space's Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater. It was here that she, and festival Musical Director, Daniel Binelli, graced the crowd with their own musical talents. Along with the Binelli-Ferman Duo was the Quinteto Tango who travelled all the way from Columbia to be a part of this culturally significant event. Dancers included Karina Romero and Dardo Galleto from Argentina (though now located in New York City), and Ival Ovalle and Gina Medina who also traveled to the festival from Columbia. Dance classes will be held throughout the festival at the Dardo Galleto Studios and all of the musicians from the evening's performance are scheduled to perform again at the Tango Gala Show on Saturday, October 11th at 8:00 pm. From the 7th through the 15th of October Latin American history and culture will be exalted at various New York City locations. If they are all as real and honest as the opening concert, this will be a great 9 days you will not want to miss.

One aspect of Shall We Tango NYC is promotion and education of the art of tango in its history, evolution and manifestation in contemporary culture. When I hear the word "tango," I automatically think of dance. And though I've heard much tango music through dance, I've never really listened. What's great about this festival is that they allow the audience to really hear and really watch, to focus on the music that is a partner to the dance, but can also stand alone as a beautiful musical form. Starting out knowing close to nothing about tango music and musicians (I didn't even know what a bandoneon is), I now still don't know very much, but feel that I have a deeper appreciation for tango, in general, but especially as a dance because I now can make a stronger connection with the music.

To prompt the audience to be fully aware of the music and musicians, dancers only performed with certain musical pieces. When they did, however, they captured the passion, strength, and preciseness of tango in every step. Interestingly, where usually my eyes are set on the dancers, here I found my focus drift from the dancers to the musicians, back and forth. The dance for me became more than just the movements, dramatic gestures, and striking facial expressions, but rather a oneness with the music which held the same shared qualities. The musicians leaned, moved, and swayed with their instruments like a dancer dances with his or her partner. Eyes would close at the sweet and sensual sounds that matched the pressed bodies of the dancers. The audience and even myself felt the passion, which filled the room, for the sight and sound of tango, but also for the deeps roots of the tango tradition established by great artists such as Anibal Troilo and carried forward by the artist of this festival.

For more information on the Shall We Tango NYC festival, visit https://www.shallwetango.com/