Dancing to the Strings concerts showcase Argentine tango
The Lord of the Strings concert series takes the stage for Opus 7 of 12, Dancing to the Strings — a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration between master violinist Wai Mizutani, pianist Xiao-Long Chen and drummer Rob Spencer, with special guest dance couple Rob Montango and Faith Morrison, professional Argentine tango and ballet dancers — will take place over two concert dates, Friday and Saturday, July 29 and July 30, at the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center. Both concerts begin at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for seniors and children 10 and older. Veterans, active duty members and children under 10 are admitted free. Purchase at the door, or call ahead at 406-212-9515; or purchase online at impactwsce.com or eventbrite.com.
ABOUT THE DANCERS
Rob Montango has traveled the country and the world as a tango dancer, performing everywhere from New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Dallas to Helsinki, Finland, Ukraine and, last month, Istanbul.
At one time a martial artist, he turned to dancing in 2006 and began taking tango lessons in Missoula.
“Dancing is way, way cooler,” Montango said. “I went from being a guy other guys want to hurt to being one a woman wants to hold.”
A native Montanan raised in a classical music environment playing violin, his interest in Argentine tango developed as he began traveling to dance festivals.
“Argentine tango is one of the deepest, most complex of all dance because of its improvisation factor,” he said. “There are different flavors of tango, from traditional to non-traditional.”
As a DJ, he began putting together tango playlists and creating danceable music.
He and Morrison, who is a professor of dance at the University of Montana, have known each other for six years. A high level contemporary and ballet choreographer, Morrison also taught dance at Salem University and began training in tango in Portland.
Morrison will also be performing some contemporary dances during the July 29 and 30 concerts.
“Because of the improvisation involved in traditional tango, both shows will look different,” Montango said. “It’s exciting for us.”