By Ann Butler
Neighbors Columnist
At the end of October, I took a night off from the newsroom to go watch Las Migas, a group of young women from Spain who perform music inspired by flamenco and other Spanish and Latin American genres.
The audience was transported to España, and we didn’t even have to dig out our passports. The only downside to the evening was that they didn’t have a packed house at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College because they deserved it. You, my friends and neighbors missed something memorable.
When I was growing up in Durango, a performance like Las Migas would have been the event of the year. This year, it was hardly a blip on people’s radar.
I don’t want that to happen when Estampas Porteñas performs at the Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. This troupe, led by former prima ballerina Carolina Soler, is the kind of show that’s reviewed by publications such as The New York Times.
The NYT said, “If you like tango shows in one shade – dark and brooding – the Argentine company Estampas Porteñas isn’t for you. This troupe of five couples, directed by Carolina Soler, takes dancing seriously but also emanates a playful grasp of theater.”
If you want to check them out, I attached a video trailer from their recent performance in Boston at the Berklee Performance Center. Yes, they play at venues like that.
If you know a student who is learning or interested in learning to speak Spanish, if you love to travel, if you love dance or if you just want to support more diverse programming like this at the Concert Hall, get your ticket now.
My thanks to Charles Leslie, director of the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. He has put a major effort into bringing diverse and amazing programming.
Tickets are $38 for the Orchestra and $44 for the Plaza. Buy them at the Welcome Center at the corner of Main Avenue and 8th Street, by calling 247-7657, online at www.durangoconcerts.org or at the door.
I’ll see you there.
¡Hasta luego!
Check back at durangoherald.com for more Neighbors stories and photos. Neighbors runs in the Sunday print edition of The Durango Herald.
Here’s how to reach me: neighbors@durangoherald.com; phone 375-4584; mail items to the Herald; or drop them off at the front desk. Please include contact names and phone numbers for all items. Follow me on Twitter @Ann_Neighbors.
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