BY JAN SWOOPE
The romance and fire of Argentine tango and Spanish flamenco will intertwine when concert harpist Anna Maria Mendieta and Tango del Cielo visit Columbus Monday, March 5.
The Columbus Arts Council’s Concert and Artist Series presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. at Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus. A dance class with performers will be offered from noon-1 p.m.
Blending harp, percussion, strings and dance, the charismatic Mendieta and company create an entertaining multi-media program suitable for all ages.
CAC board member Anne Freeze said, “This is a great example of the breadth of the arts council’s programming. We’re really proud to be able to offer the Golden Triangle a performance of this quality and uniqueness.”
Tango del Cielo (Tango from Heaven) is a theatrical music and dance program featuring a fusion of many Latin styles, including Argentine tango, flamenco, Spanish classical, swing-era melodies and Latin jazz.
Mendieta is currently the principal harpist with the Sacramento Philharmonic. An advocate for contemporary music, she previously served a long tenure as principal harpist with the nationally-acclaimed Women’s Philharmonic, as well. She pioneered performance of contemporary tango music on harp.
Her group, Tango del Cielo, is the focus of a documentary film for television
In addition to Mendieta, performers include Antonio Davidson-Gomez on percussion, Thomas Yee on violin, Joseph Hébert on cello, and dancers Suzanne Mendieta Count Glover.
The show is expected to last two hours, which includes a brief intermission.
Dance class
The public is invited to sign up for a tango lesson with performers, to be held from noon-1 p.m. March 5 at Rent Auditorium. The class fee is $15. Lunch will be provided; reservations are required. Contact the CAC at 662-328-2787.
“We’re so excited to bring this very unique performance to the Golden Triangle and hope people will take this opportunity to watch the mesmerizing Anna Maria Mendieta,” said Tina Sweeten, executive director of the Columbus Arts Council.
Repertoire
Tango del Cielo’s program is expected to include arrangements of such favorites as “Ave Maria” by Astor Piazzolla, “Granada” by Agustin Lara, “Piéce en forme de Habanera” by Maurice Ravel and “Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecuonoa and Mendieta.
Solos on harp, percussion and cello will also be featured, as well as inspiring dance.
“This show will be unlike anything we’ve had in the area for a very long time,” said CAC board member Beverly Norris. “It should be thrilling.”
Learn more about Tango del Cielo at annamariamendieta.com/tango.html, or look for them at youtube.com.
How to go
Tickets are $18, or $15 for seniors (60+). Student tickets are $10. Purchase them in advance at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. or online at columbus-arts.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.
For more information, or to make reservations for the dance class, contact the CAC at 662-328-2787.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
