El Museo del Barrio is going to the Bronx Zoo! In partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society join us at the Bronx Zoo for their six-week long summer program Passport to the World. Every weekend, we’re highlighting the storytelling, food, music, and dance from a different country of Central and South America at Astor Court. For tickets and information, click here.
On Saturday, July 14th and Sunday, July 15th, ‘Passport to the World’ will feature ARGENTINA. Stop by and learn about the natural elements found in the country and about tango dance through a special workshop led by Karina Romero, and a mesmerizing performance by our amigos of Friends of Argentine Tango!
SCHEDULE:
Storytelling
Workshop | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Storytelling is an important aspect of Latin American and Caribbean culture. It is a way that we can communicate shared experiences, values, and learn about something new. Join us each week as we share stories from around the world that talk about different cultures, family, home, magic, and more!
Art Making Workshop
My amigo El Armadillo | 11:00am – 3:30pm
Families of armadillos are found in the regions of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. In Argentina, the big, harry armadillo likes to eat worms and insects and can adapt too many different environments. In this workshop create your own armadillo or a family of armadillos!
Movement Workshop
Tango with Karina Romero | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Learn about pasión through Argentina’s emblematic dance of tango. In this workshop you will learn the basic steps of the beloved dance through special instruction by dancer Karina Romero.
Dance Performance
Friends of Argentine Tango | 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Close out the day at The Bronx Zoo with a special dance performance led by Leonardo Sardella and the Friends of Argentine Tango ensemble!
ABOUT KARINA ROMERO
Karina Romero is a professional tango dancer and instructor. Currently, she is the Executive Director of New Generation Dance Company. Karina has studied with the most influential tango teachers in the world: Graciela Gonzalez, Mingo and Ester Pugliese, Gustavo Naveira, Osvaldo Zotto, Luis Solanas, Vilma & Fernando Galera, Pablo Veron and Omar Vega. She was awarded a certificate by the Maestra de Tango Graciela Gonzalez in recognition of her status as an official teacher of the Gonzalez technique. Originally from Argentina, Karina arrived in New York City in 2000 as an ambassador of Argentine tango. She has taught at such renowned schools and cultural centers as the 92nd Street Y, the Sandra Cameron Dance Center, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the United Nations, The Metropolitan Museum, the Lincoln Center Festival and the Harvard Club.
As a skilled organizer and motivator, Karina is known for coordinating tango workshops and seminars and tango shows with the best in the business. Most recently, she organized events with exceptional tango stars from Argentina — including Carlos Copello, Graciela Gonzalez, Guillermina Quiroga, Junior Cervila and Guadalupe Garcia, Leandro Oliver and Laila Rezk, Francisco Forquera and Natalia Hills and the superlative dancers Gabriel Misse and Analia Centurion. In the spring of 2016, Maestra Karina was invited to be the tango coach for movie star Liam Neeson in preparation for his 2017 film, “Felt”.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF ARGENTINE TANGO
Friends of Argentine Tango was created to explore and promote the positive benefits of dancing Tango and to bring the joy of dance to people who might otherwise never try it. We are introducing Tango to seniors, children, people coping with chronic conditions and disabilities. We believe that Tango is a multi-generational bridge activity that teaches social etiquette, a creative outlet for the disenfranchised, physical and emotional therapy, and an opportunity to experience a sense of community.
Social dance is an effective and fun activity with demonstrated positive impact on a wide range of disorders, from chronic diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cardiovascular) the problems related to aging (fall prevention, bone density) and the sometimes-overwhelming effect of loneliness on the human spirit. At Friends of Argentine Tango we seek to share our experience with the Tango, disseminate scientific papers on Tango’s benefit, and to expand awareness of the Tango.