The Weehawken waterfront drew fans and newcomers on Wednesday night to see a concert by Fusion Tango. The show paid homage to some of the most influential tango orchestras, composers, instrumentalists, and singers.
There are three remaining free outdoor concerts in town this summer, compliments of two concert series – one run by the Hudson County Performing Arts Center, which sponsored the tango concert, and two from the town’s Hamilton Park Summer Music Series.
Drawing from all over
Wednesday’s tango concert drew several hundred observers, and not just from Weehawken.
“Tango dancing is hot. What a motivator,” said Yvette Gonzalez of Jersey City, who attended with her boyfriend, Lance Harris of Cliffside Park. “This is an evening for couples to enjoy and see sensual dancing.”
‘Tango dancing is hot. What a motivator.’ – Yvette Gonzalez
____________
“I love tango. I came ready with my chair to enjoy. Tango is beautiful,” said Chris Proenza of Union City.
Tango has early influences from European and African cultures. However, it became popular and more established in the country of Argentina. Each individual dancer dances as he feels, provided that he complies with essential rules: two people are united by an embrace, one of them leading, the other following.
Tango Fusion’s choreography was under the direction of the company’s own dancer, Sandra Antognazzi. The evening also featured two musicians, Hector Del Curto and Oscar Feldman, who played classic tango favorites from noted bandoneon player Astor Piazzola. Those songs included Oblivion and Libertango.
‘Tango is beautiful’
The show was produced by the Hudson Riverfront Performing Arts Center (HRPAC). HRPAC’s goal is to serve residents of Hudson County, as well as the surrounding North Jersey/New York metropolitan area, by presenting high-quality and reasonably-priced professional music, theater, and dance. Someday, they hope to create a physical performing arts center on the Weehawken waterfront. The concerts take place at Lincoln Harbor Park.
In addition to the tango fans in the audience on Wednesday, there were fans of the Summer Concerts on the Hudson. “I’ve seen the Broadway tribute and tango show [from HRPAC] before,” said Lisa Ferguson of North Bergen. “Since I heard about the one for this year, I had to come again.”
Three concerts left
The HRPAC Summer Concerts on the Hudson continue on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. with the show Broadway on the Hudson. It will feature some musical theater’s finest singers and dancers performing songs from the Golden Age of Broadway. Go early, as parking and lawn space runs out fast.
Meanwhile, the Hamilton Park Summer Music Series sponsored by Mayor Richard Turner and the Township Council continues with concerts taking place at Hamilton Park on Boulevard East between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Thursday nights. Bands scheduled to perform are as follows:
Aug. 18, Gary Frazier
Aug. 25, Hudson Crossing featuring Martha Frazier, Jillian Giacchi, and Julian Peterson.
Gustavo L. Adrianzén may be reached at editorial@hudsonreporter.com.