To mute music, click on the speaker in the upper left corner.
2008 International Chicago Tango Fest - August 21-24
The Chicago Tango Fest would like to announce the following changes in our instructor/performer lineup:
We were notified that the duo Maxi Copello - Maria Blanco has recently split up and Maxi and his father Carlos will not be attending the festival. However, the lovely and talented Maria Blanco will be with us as planned and will partner in workshops and on stage with Chicago's own international star, Somer Surgit.
We have invited Jorge Torres of Forever Tango fame to join us.
You may read all the Fest stars' bios in the "Instructors Performers" tab.
We apologize for having to make these changes, which are due to circumstances beyond our control.
We are committed to presenting the best instructors and performers tango has to offer, to make the 2008 International Chicago Tango Fest an event to remember!
DAMIAN ESELL & NANCY LOUZAN
See a video of Damian & Nancy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm7ewTynbIQ
Damian Esell and Nancy Louzan like to focus on the communication between dance partners, looking for comfort and execution of the dance, both technically and expressively. They work with the different possibilities of the tango embrace in relation to the movements of the legs and body.
They relish teaching harmonious and dynamic movements, from the most subtle to the most exciting and vertiginous, using all the possibilities coming from the traditional way of dancing tango in addition to the New Age elements. In their lessons, they teach the technique and structures which compose the tango movements; they explain in detail the origin of many figures which are blended into the elements of the structural exercises.
Damian & Nancy have performed in the best known tango dance halls in Buenos Aires. They have also participated, both as teachers and performers, in the major tango festivals in Argentina, including the Buenos Aires Tango Festival and C.I.T.A., and all over Europe and Asia. This will be their second appearance at the International Chicago Tango Fest.
EDUARDO CAPPUSSI & MARIANA FLORES
See a video of Eduardo & Mariana http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV6Fgptthy4
Eduardo Cappussi began dancing tango in 1990. Since then, he has continued to study and scrutinize his work as he strives to refine his own style discovering the fundamentals of this art, and art in general, to be able to transmit it to other people. Mariana Flores brings an extensive knowledge of acting, mime and classical dance to the tango.
Eduardo and Mariana have been dancing together and teaching Argentine tango since 1997. They are one of the most respected, creative and expressive tango dance couples in their native Argentina and abroad. They shine with strongly individualistic style, colored with humor and mime, as well as impeccable dance technique. Their dance is born of improvisation and it excites the audience in a unique way. Eduardo Cappussi and Mariana Flores have been featured in most of the European tango festivals and prestigious tango events, including C.I.T.A. in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in which they have participated since 1999. We are thrilled to have them returning to our festival for a second year.
ROBERTO REIS & VANESSA FATAUROS
See a video of Roberto & Vanessa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-duZoWYJ9VA
Vanessa Fatauros www.youtube.com/user/juliabella
Roberto Reis is a proven world-renowned performer and instructor, having toured with shows all over the world, including Tango x 2, Tango Tango, Fascination Tango, Tango Argentino and Piazzolla Tango. He is especially recognized for his superb performances in the Broadway show Forever Tango and his appearance in the film Assassination Tango, directed by Robert Duvall. Chicago dancers have enjoyed his instruction and dancing during his previous visits here.
Vanessa Fatauros was born in Amsterdam, from an Argentine father and a Dutch mother. Both her parents were professional ballet dancers, so dancing and music have always been a way of life. Vanessa has resided in Buenos Aires for a long time, performing in shows and at milongas and teaching at the well-known tango schools of Mora Godoy, Carlos Copello and Tango Bruja.
The International Chicago Tango Fest warmly welcomes Roberto back to Chicago and is pleased to welcome Vanessa for her first time with us.
ARIEL BARRIONUEVO & LORENA GASSE
See a video of Ariel & Lorena http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nui_byhDJzc
Ariel Barrionuevo and Lorena Gasse are known to the Chicago tango community for their profound sense of joy in their dancing, which they shared during the 2006 and 2007 festivals. They have their own dance company in Argentina and have delighted audiences and students worldwide with their unique interpretations.
Ariel Barrionuevo began his career in dance in 1982, studying Argentine folk dance and Latin American dance. Since 1996, he has partnered with Lorena Gasse and the couple has been giving independent performances as well as participating with several dance companies in Cordoba, Argentina, including the Great Argentine Ballet, the Popular Dance Group and the Latin Blood Company, with which they toured to Havana, Cuba and Santiago, Chile.
In 2003, Ariel and Lorena participated in the most prestigious Argentine folkloric festival in Cosquin, Cordoba. In 2005 they were the finalists in a worldwide tango competition and were also awarded the prize for the Most Promising New Dance Couple. In that same year they began working for the Secretary of Art and Culture of the National University of Rio Cuarto, presenting shows and offering workshops.
GUILLERMO MERLO & FERNANDA GHI
See a video of Fernanda & Guillermo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1eCe6Z2hL8&feature=related
Guillermo Merlo and Fernanda Ghi are one of the most prominent couples in the world of tango. Known for their style, interpretation and choreography, their credits include Tango Magic for PBS, Forever Tango on Broadway and Tango Dreams. Fernanda and Guillermo are known for their ability to command the stage and their very clear teaching technique.
They have a unique quality to convey to their audience and their students, covering the scope of tango emotions from intense passion to the comic. Individually or as a couple, the dynamic talent and achievements of Fernanda Ghi & Guillermo Merlo are the result of many years of study, preparation and dedication. Although already studying to have a career in classical ballet and modern dance, Fernanda began dancing Tango at the tender age of 13. Soon her passion for Argentine Tango superseded her other professional goals. On the stage dancing Argentine Folkloric and modern dance, Guillermo was only 12 when he encountered Tango.
Pursuing dance at an early age, they both encountered tango in their teens and did not meet until their 20’s when they already had in common an intense need and desire to dance tango. Since 1998, Fernanda and Guillermo perform and teach every year in over thirty cities in the United States, as well as Canada, Europe and Asia. We were also fortunate to have them share their talents with our 2006 Fest participants.
SOMER SURGIT & MARIA BLANCO
Somer Surgit and Maria Blanco are wonderful salon and stage style tango performers, choreographers and exceptional instructors. Through their dance they keep alive the vibrant essence and the elegance of traditional tango, and awaken the sensuality and emotions of the new tango.
Somer Surgit is an amazing combination of elegance, musicality and creativity. Rapidly becoming recognized as a singular touchstone for New Generation Tango, he combines a natural dance style with genuine expression. Somer started his training in Turkey, with Metin Yazir. Then, in Buenos Aires, he studied with Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne, Cecilia Gonzalez, Chicho Frumboli and Eugenia Parrilla. He performed with Cecilia Gonzalez and Eugenia Parrilla in Nuevo Tango Festivals in Seattle and in the summer of 2006 Somer performed and taught with Eugenia Parrilla in Greece, Italy and Sweden for the TangoCamp Festivals.
Maria Blanco
Graceful, brilliant, professional and talented, Maria Blanco is one of the rising new performing stars and instructors of Argentine tango today. Her professionalism in teaching and superb artistry in performing have endeared her to her students and tango aficionados. Her warm and friendly personality charms everyone who studies with her. Maria partnered with Maxi Copello for several years. Her natural elegance and sensuality make her stand out. Having studied ballet and jazz dance since she was a child, she has been able to give her body relaxed and ethereal characteristics that are to the limits of anything seen in tango motion today. Her long list of accomplishments includes performances at the Astral Theater and Esquina Carlos Gardel, as well as the most popular Buenos Aires milongas including, Confiteria La Ideal and Sunderland Club. She has also performed for the International Women’s Forum, at major corporate events in Argentina, in advertising campaigns and modeled for international photographers.
The International Chicago Tango Fest is proud to present Somer & Maria as they perform and teach together for the first time. This unique opportunity to witness these rising stars of tango together will provide an unforgettable experience for everyone at the fest.
Jorge Torres
Jorge Torres
Jorge is well known for his dancing and choreography in the stage show “Forever Tango”, where he has been the Troupe, Dance Captain (Principal Dancer) for the last eight years. Since joining the show in 1995, his choreography has been nominated for a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Outer Critics Circle. He has recorded with Karen Kain "A Evaristo Carriego" for CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Company, directed by Luis Bravo. He has coordinated shows such as "World Tango Week 2002" in Tokyo and "Tango Legend" summoning the best figures every year. He has participated as an invited dancer next to the Sexteto Mayor in Santiago's Municipal Theater - Chile. In 2003, Jorge was chosen to assemble the jury for the first Tango Dance World Championship (Campeonato Mundial de baile de tango) held in Buenos Aires.
Jorge Torres currently is the Artistic Director for the American Tango Institute, in Chicago, Illinois, and divides his time between Chicago, teaching in New York and performing in Forever Tango worldwide.
Andrea Fuchilieri
Andrea Fuchilieri
Andrea Fucilieri is a gifted and versatile dancer and teacher who brings a dynamic and interactive approach to her deep love of tango.
Born in the beautiful city of
She sees the embrace of tango technique as a journey of self exploration and portrays her role as a guide in showing one how to demystify the most complex and intricate movements of Argentine Tango.
Andrea is also currently representing Trio Garufa, an international Argentine Tango ensemble, based in
