Alexandria-based QuinTango will be honored May 13 with the 2014 award for Artistic Excellence at the GALA Hispanic Theatre’s annual Noche de Estrellas benefit recognizing arts, community and philanthropic leaders from the Washington region.
Held at the National Center for Latino Performing Arts, the event will honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the artistic community in the Washington metropolitan area.
QuinTango, a chamber tango quintet comprised of two violins, bass, cello and piano, has initiated thousands of new fans to the music of tango by engaging audiences with their sizzling fusion of traditional South American tango repertoire and classical chamber music style.
Under the leadership of long-time Alexandria resident and violinist Joan Singer, QuinTango has grown from a local music group to an internationally recognized touring ensemble who have performed at The White House, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center Plaza, theaters in Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, France, Costa Rica and throughout the United States. This summer QuinTango will tour Costa Rica, bringing 25 fans with them, including six Alexandrians.
An active member of Alexandria’s arts community and Arts Forum, QuinTango has created innovative arts education programs for the city’s youth since 2009. With support from the Alexandria Arts Commission and RunningBrooke Foundation, the group has worked with students at Ramsay Elementary School, Mount Vernon Community School, John Adams Elementary School and Charles Houston and Mount Vernon Recreation Centers. This year QuinTango taught workshops on Tango and Soccer to students at Tucker Elementary School and coached young string students in All-City Sinfonia on the art of playing tango music.
QuinTango’s award-winning artistry can be heard at the Music at Twilight concert at 7:30 p.m. on June 12 at John Carlyle Park. The concert finale will feature the Tucker Tango Team and All City StringTango orchestra performing with QuinTango. The concert is free and sponsored by Alexandria Parks and Recreation. Tickets for the May 13 GALA Hispanic Theater’s Noche de Estrella are available at www.galatheatre.org.
Jeanne Theismann