UNCA to Host Argentine Tango Dance Workshop,
QuinTango in Concert

QuinTango

UNC Asheville’s 2003-2004 Cultural and Special Events season kicks off with the South American tango music of QuinTango at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, in UNCA’s Lipinsky Auditorium. A touring quintet of two violins, cello, bass and piano, QuinTango brings a century’s worth of tango repertoire to the concert stage. Winner of two consecutive WAMMIES, QuinTango is the only tango music group to have given a command performance at The White House. The group has been heard on NPR’s Morning Edition, CNN and network television in the United States and Costa Rica.

QuinTango has played to sell-out crowds both at home and abroad. A highlight of the group’s domestic schedule is its annual performance at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, S.C. Their 2003 residency marked the fourth year that, according to Spoleto critic Robert Jones, "their concerts packed the place and sent the customers home tango crazy." Other notable performances include the International Music Festivals in Costa Rica, five performances in Normandy, France and the Wolf Trap’s Theatre-in-the-Woods Children’s Festival.

At the UNCA performance, QuinTango will be joined by master tango dancers Harby Gonzalez and partner Emilie Tobias. A free Milonga, a tango dance party with recorded music, will be held on the Lipinsky Auditorium stage after the concert.

Harby Gonzalez and Emilie Tobias

Gonzalez and Tobias will also conduct an Argentine Tango Dance workshop from 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. The workshop is $10 for the general public and $5 to area high school students. All ages and levels of expertise will be welcome, and no dance partner is necessary. The workshop will be limited to 40 participants and no prior registrations will be accepted. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Gonzalez grew up dancing in Colombia, South America, where he studied classical ballet and Argentine tango. He has danced in Buenos Aires and toured internationally with several tango productions including that of renowned tango composer and orchestra leader, Mariano Mores. An award-winning choreographer and Latin ballroom dancer, Tobias fell in love with Latin music while growing up in Cuba as the daughter of a U.S. Naval officer. She studied theatre and dance at Davidson College and the Mime Center in London.

These events are co-sponsored by UNCA’s Multicultural Student Programs in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month and WCQS public radio.

Tickets for QuinTango are on sale now and are $18 general admission. Call 828/232-5000 to order your tickets by phone or for more information. Tickets may also be purchased with cash or check only at Malaprop’s Bookstore/Cafe, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville.

Media Contacts:

• Bunny Halton-Subkis, UNCA Student Activities Assistant Director, 828/232-5000
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526