The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre proudly presents the Romulo Larrea Tango Ensemble’s production of Tango: Passion of a Lifetime on Saturday, October 18^th at 8:00pm at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. This performance is the first of five shows in the Society’s 2014/15 Dance series.

The fiery ardor of Tango: A Passion of a Lifetime will ignite the Vernon and District Performing Arts stage October 18 when the Romulo Larrea Tango Ensemble visits from Quebec.  This spectacular evening full of live music, world class tango performances, and latin sensuality is a chance for Vernonites to experience the evolution of tango and the powerful music behind this enticing art form.

After arriving in Canada over 30 years ago Romula Larrea has become a tango legend. “People are associating my name with tango.” Says bandoneon player, composer and musical director Romulo Larrea, “It is an honour when they say tango arrived [to Canada] in me.”

It has been Larrea’s life’s passion since he was a young boy in Montevideo, Uruguay to inspire people through his relationship with tango and spread its invigorating rhythmic force throughout the world while keeping the traditions of the old county alive.

The ensemble has performed to audiences around the world: New York, Rome, Luxembourg, Buenos Aires, in the Netherlands, and throughout California. “No matter where we are, on what stage, in what country, the show is always the same: world class REAL tango” – says Larrea.

This prestigious project boasts brand new repertoire composed by Larrea and the whole performance is led by Larrea on bandoneón, an instrument whose melancholy sound is synonymous with all that is tango.  First gifted one of these extraordinary instruments by his father at the age of 10, Larrea has dedicated his life to understanding the depth of this instrument and importance for its reputation.

As the performers divulge the art of this classical dance form that originated in the lower class districts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo 150 years ago, their sure footedness speaks to the traditional art form and not the made-for-TV versions of tango we so often see in the media. “I am most proud to integrate the old country traditions and with my idols of tango so that when people see it they say ‘Ah, that’s tango!’” – adds Larrea.

With the word tango, coming from the Latin tangere, meaning touch; tango is the language between two people and the restraint and sensuality that is created in this erotically charged art form. Larrea is ardent to create the same experience for the first timer as he is for people who know tango and its repertoire.

Larrea dreamed of the concept for Tango: A Passion of a Lifetime for several years, and has worked tirelessly in preparation of its debut.  We are honored that Vernon will be included in this tour of moving melodies, rapturous dancing, as traditional tango makes its mark on our local stage.

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre thanks the following sponsors for their generous support: The Best Western Plus Vernon Lodge, the Vernon Morning Star, the Okanagan Advertiser, the Vernon Community Arts Council, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the North Okanagan Regional District and the British Columbia Arts Council.