After the success of Páprika Tango Cabaret, this theatrical genre returns to the Cafam Theater with “Exotic”, by the renowned Colombian group Alma de Tango. It is a nostalgic, sensual and daring work that will be on stage on Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th of March.
Under the direction of the dancer and choreographer Gina Medina, this season they tell fascinating stories that inspired the most beautiful musical creations, through characters loaded with memories and rooted in that magic of walking in the harmony of a hug or rooted in the tempting legs. of a woman who part to start the game of seduction.
In an interview with EL NUEVOS SIGLO, Medina told details of this presentation and the importance of gender in Colombia.
EL NUEVO SIGLO: How will the staging be in this season of tango?
GINA MEDINA: We come with a new exotic production of Tango Cabaret, which is a wonderful show, full of passion, very romantic, very conventional stories, within the romantic bohemian nights. Tango is like a hug, a style that is not only important in Colombia, but that has taken over the world and now many people dance it, enjoy it, live it. So we are happy to present ourselves with a cast that dances tango and also specializes in different techniques, with artists who can take this air to another level. We are going to be accompanied by four wonderful musicians who are going to interpret traditional tangos, some more modern and others with certain classical pieces.
ENS: To what extent do Bogotanos like tango?
GM: Bogotá is a city that loves to dance, it is very artistic, but there is a small problem and that is that it is not very visible. I think the whole country loves music, dance, culture. For example, in Bogotá there are many milongas, dance academies and very talented dancers. I say this because I have seen it and because I live from art, I like to connect with people through movement.
ENS: In what other scenarios has Alma de Tango been?
GM: Last year we had several presentations, a very important one was “La maga”, by Julio Cortázar. Alma de Tango was born as an artistic training academy and over time we became one of the most important show producers in the country, thanks to these stagings that have been somewhat controversial and strong. I feel that we take dance to another level, we put it at the service of stories, with talented and capable artists and thanks to that we have not only performed at the Cafam Theater, but in other spaces nationally and internationally. Fortunately, tango has taken us to wonderful places in the world, such as international festivals, championships in Colombia and abroad. And not only this genre, but modern dance, contemporary jazz, Latin rhythms like salsa. So we have a cast and crew of teachers and artists who really take pride and make our productions so magical.
ENS: In that sense, which countries have you visited?
GM: We have been to several festivals in Europe, in New York, in Moscow, in the latter we worked for many years with the National Theater, with Fanny Mikey. We are the fourth in the world in the world championship in Buenos Aires, in Argentina. So tango has made us travel the whole world and all this thanks to the team of musicians like Emiliano Rodríguez, who is an Argentine singer; Miguel Ángel Guevara, Alberto Tamayo, Diego Villa, who are part of the Leopoldo Federico Quintet, nominated several times for the Latin Grammys.
ENS: How is tango positioned in Colombia?
GM: Here is a sector that follows the genre, also because it is one of the most important dances in the world, it is a very intimate, very deep rhythm. I have seen that Medellín is a very tango city, Manizales and Bogotá too; these two cities are characterized by dancing tango and we have felt it in the presentations in which we have been and this forces us to demand more and more in new experiences.
ENS: What have been the recognitions you have obtained?
GM: I really think that the recognitions are important, but more important is to obtain that experience of sharing with people from all over the world, having the possibility to teach, to dance with people from different countries, to take tango to various parts of the world, to bring our culture to other spheres and receive, that people see what we do in our country. I think that this is the most important recognition and dance has given me that experience of connecting and getting to know the whole world. That seems absolutely magical and important to me.
ENS: As a choreographer, teacher and dancer, what has tango meant to you?
GM: From a very young age I was involved in classical ballet and modern and contemporary dance. One day tango came to me and it really captivated me and stole my heart. It led me to understand that dancing is another way of relating and having a lifestyle. It is a very complex and very intimate rhythm, very deep and that can change the lives of many people, because it is not only a dance to have fun or to fall in love, but also for therapeutic purposes. Every day I learn more about tango. I dance my life
Gina Medina
Cataloged as one of the most important choreographers and producers of dance shows in the country, awarded by the Solodanza festival as the best solo dancer. Choreographer and “coach” of “reality shows” such as “La pista”, “Yo me llamo”, “La voz Colombia”, “Tu cara me suena”, “Protagonistas de nuestra Tele RCN”, “Next top models” and the program “Day by day” of Canal Caracol.
Tango Soul
The Alma de Tango group was established in 2002 and today is recognized as one of the best schools for artistic training and production of shows in the country, with educational programs in many areas, among which are jazz dance, aerial dance, music and performance.
His productions, such as “Tango, rock y viola”, “Quimbara”, the musical “Bailando also dies”, “Rayuela tango” and “La maga”, among others, are productions that stand out for their high artistic level and the quality of the dramaturgical, theatrical and musical construction.
