The Argentine Council of Dance, headed by Beatriz Durante, has been celebrating International Dance Day for more than two decades with a gala that always brings together different manifestations: classical ballet, contemporary dance, tango, Spanish dance, folk dance and more.

This year marked the fortieth anniversary since UNESCO established International Dance Day, and perhaps because of this anniversary circle or perhaps because of a blessed astral conjunction, the usual CAD celebration on April 29 This is the most beautiful and fair celebration in memory.

One great author in the literature said that when writing a text it is convenient to avoid, as much as possible, the excessive abundance of adjectives. However, and to be ignored, the following are overflowing with qualifications; moreover, all enthusiastic.

The program

Let’s start by describing the program: the function is opened using a beautiful flamingo painting performed by great artists: Yanina Martínez and Yamil Rabaj on dance, Álvaro González and Maximiliano Serral on cante and Esteban Gonda on guitar.

tapos meron a complete section of the legend of Argentina: first, a “refalosa”, a popular dance from the 19th century in a delicate version exquisitely crafted by Gabriela Avalos and Matías Somoza.

Later an exceptionally mild northern by Fernando Castro, who won first place at the prestigious Laborde Festival in 2009.

And to close, a very good pericón with the Trincheras Dance Ensemble under the direction of Rubén Suáres: a perfect balance between a traditional pericón form and a contemporary nuance.

pretty tango

they followed two duets of tango anticipating the upcoming premiere of a work by choreographer Leonardo Cuello to the music of Astor Piazzolla. Although out of their context, these duets with Ayelén Alvarez and José Lugones, on the one hand, and Laura Zaracho and Juan Pablo del Greco, on the other hand, shone thanks to that delicate perspective by Cuello and for his personal view of the tango scenic.

The virtues: only three

Here are three absolute gems in the form of solos: Aria by Renate Schottelius Fear by Dore Hoyer and It hurts by Oscar Araiz, who also directed the powerful and unique performer Antonella Zanuto. Dore Hoyer and Renate Schottelius are both part of the modern dance tradition of the 20th century, of which Araiz is an heir. The enormous force and dramatic beauty of the three pieces hold the audience’s breath, as if in a state of grace.

Closing on contemporary dance

The function closed with two fragments of contemporary dance: first, Grupo Cadabra by Anabella Tuliano with a work called Couragevery good dancer and somewhat mysterious sense.

And finally, the last fifteen minutes of Cantata, choreography mounted by Mauro Bigonzetti for the Contemporary Ballet of San Martín directed by Andrea Chinetti and premiered at the beginning of last March. It was a joyous task, full of joy and longing. For this gala, the Ballet director chose a fragment that begins with a trio performed by Lucía Bargado, Andrés Ortiz and David Millán.

This scene can be seen a thousand times Cantata tirelessly: its choreographic elaboration is impressive and the way in which it is incorporated by these dancers is memorable; Actually, more than a trio, they are two consecutive duets where the woman stays and the men change; and this is just the right time to take a closer look at this truly amazing dancer: Lucía Bargado, here between two men in a performance that brings tears to the eyes.

Balance

What this gala has left us, besides the joy of partaking an extraordinary hour and a half? A few things. On the one hand, that dance, when it is true to whatever genre it presents itself, infinitely transcends the most sacred expression of entertainment and is a wonderful channel of communication.

Everything seen on Friday night, in various forms, belongs to a tradition, to a history accumulated over time, deep study and belief. And finally, as one viewer said at the end of the show: “how good the dance is, how many talented dancers there are in the country”.

In a first volume of the History of Humanity, published by UNESCO many years ago, it reads that an investigation into the European Paleolithic period showed that dance was part of primitive cultures: “it was found -said the first chapter – a strangely touching direct testimony of the dancing footprints on the clay floors of the caves. ” The strength of the dance moves, until now.

Fact: The filming of the complete function has already been uploaded to the Youtube channel of the Argentine Council of Dance.

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