The Rossland Council for Arts and Culture is celebrating its 20th anniversary of its Performance Series in style; bringing “Something Bold, Something New and Something Spicy” to the Golden City in 2024.
This month’s highlight is definitively Spicy, as the Payadora Tango Ensemble takes to the stage at the historic Miners Hall on March 26.
Payadora is an award-winning ensemble of vocalist, violin, bandoneon, bass and piano that performs its own arrangements of a core repertoire drawing from Argentinian/Uruguayan Tango and Folk music, as well as original songs inspired by that tradition.
Made up of a group of players who are each musical powerhouses in their own right, this “superstar group” has combined their deep knowledge of tango with their classical, jazz and world music backgrounds to create something entirely new.
With Rebekah Wolkstein (violin, vocals), Drew Jurecka (bandoneon, violin, mandolin), Joseph Phillips (double bass, guitar) Robert Horvath (piano) and Elbio Fernandez (vocals), their performances convey joy, virtuosity, humour and their intense passion for the music that they play.
The group is endorsed by the Argentinian Consulate in Toronto for their adherence to the spirit of tango.
Highlights from Payadora’s past performances include sold-out shows at the National Arts Centre, Ottawa Chamberfest, Indian River Music Festival in PEI, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Harbourfront Centre, Stafford Summer Music, Toronto Music Festival, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, and for the Canadian Opera Company’s World Music Series at the Four Seasons Centre.
Founded in 2013, Payadora’s broad scope in tango draws from the height of Buenos Aires’ Tango tradition, including compositions by De Caro, Pugliese, Troilo, and Salgan, to the masterful, contemporary sounds of Astor Piazzolla and beyond. They also compose and arrange their own repertoire.
World + Music Magazine wrote: “With influences from Argentina to Eastern Europe to the great Astozzr Piazzolla, Payadora plays the tango like it’s meant to be: sultry, steamy, but with grace and precision.
“You will be entertained!”
Their latest album, “Silent Tears - The Last Yiddish Tango,” was the #1 Album on the World Music Charts Europe. Music publication The Wholenote raved: “Moving, heartbreaking…the most memorable release I have ever had the privilege to listen to and review.”
Payadora’s performance in Rossland is the last stop on their current B.C. tour that will continue through Eastern Canada and on to Europe and South Africa in June and July.
Payadora Tango Ensemble plays at the Miners Hall in Rossland at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at rosslandartscouncil.com or from Out of the Cellar at 2067 Columbia Avenue in Rossland.
For more information, email performance.rcac@gmail.com.