A man wearing a tuxedo and woman in a revealing red dress dance a sultry tango. (Courtesy photo)
World Tango champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi will perform at the Lobero Theatre .(Courtesy photo0

UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) will present Tango After Dark, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.

“This intimate and electrifying dive into the soul of Argentine dance is led by World Tango Champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi,” according to Arts & Lectures.

“Featuring a cadre of exceptional dancers, a powerhouse singer and a live band performing Astor Piazzolla’s revolutionary nuevo tango, this sultry ensemble delivers a breathtaking, high-octane performance,” A&L said.

Tango After Dark merges the intoxicating music of the Argentine tango composer Piazzolla, jaw-dropping choreography and breath-taking moves to reveal tango in its most authentic but sophisticated form, organizers said.

As Argentina’s most popular dance, tango is renowned for its seductive powers. Tango After Dark combines the sensuous side of tango with the rawness and quick-fire precision of the dance, taking this passionate dancing language to the limit, A&L said.

Tango After Dark is inspired by the work of Piazzolla, a prominent Argentinean contemporary music figure, whose music blends urban music and cutting-edge composing techniques.

Piazzolla transformed the tango landscape in the 1960s and ’70s by introducing the world to his Nuevo Tango.

With live music by two singers and seven on-stage musicians who bring Piazzolla’s passionate music to life, tango superstar and World Champion Germán Cornejo leads his company of 10 world-class dancers to show off the sultry nature of tango in this new performance.

The show approaches different periods of Piazzolla’s work, which transforms dancing into a vivid portrait of this Argentinean great composer’s creative spirit.

Germán & Gisela have been practicing and perfecting their tango since they were ages 10 and 16, respectively. They have mastered the skills and styles of classical dance, contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, acrobatics and tango.

After over 40 first-place prizes at national level, they became World Tango champions in 2005 and 2003 respectively.

Germán & Gisela’s list of performances is lengthy.

Tickets are $60-$85 for the general public; $16 for UCSB students with current student ID.

For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures, 805-893-3535 or buy online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu; or The Lobero Theatre.