Intricate footwork, gorgeous costumes, intoxicating music, and above all, passion—that’s what you can expect at Tango After Dark. From March 14-16 at the historic Winter Garden Theatre, this theatrical experience will bring the magic of tango to Toronto.

At the heart of it all are international tango superstars German Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi. Together with a team of 8 world-class dancers and a live band, this unstoppable tango team has captivated audiences around the world with a sultry, sophisticated, high-energy showcase of Argentina’s most popular dance. Tango After Dark is choreographed by Cornejo, whose work has received praise from the likes of Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Mel B., and Heidi Klum.

“Tango has this magic that it’s really about embracing each other,” Cornejo says. “It’s about taking care, hearing, feeling, and vibing in the same way.”

“So many dances are about the individual,” Galeassi adds. “I love tango because it’s a way to connect to another person.”

For both Cornejo and Galeassi, their love of tango began at a young age. Galeassi danced ballet, flamenco, and jazz before falling in love with tango at age 14. Cornejo’s first introduction to tango was through his grandmother, who would teach him the dance at family gatherings before he began to formally learn at age 10.

Galeassi also feels a strong connection between dance and family. “Dance is in our genes,” she says. “Dance has that kind of power. That kind of energy and joy gets passed down[…]so when people migrate or move, that energy between grandparents and grandchildren, parents and children continues to exist and stay alive.”

Tango’s roots in Argentina date back to the late 19th century, but one composer completely changed the game in the 1960s and 70s. Tango After Dark is set to music from Astor Piazzolla, who Cornejo describes as “a revolutionary in mind in the tango world.” His cutting-edge compositions infused with jazz and classical influences transformed the tango landscape, and his “Nuevo Tango” began to take over the world. 

“What we wanted to show with the choreography was something that really represents Piazzolla’s vision. Something that represents the city, this urban landscape, this energy, the power of the city, of the streets, the movement…his music is really energetic, really intense, really strong,” Cornejo says. 

The Tango After Dark team will channel this energy in their performance, aiming to transport audiences to the starlit streets of Buenos Aires for an unforgettable tango experience. The duo agrees that audiences new to tango and those who already love the dance are both in for a treat this weekend at Tango After Dark. 

“As the show continues minute by minute, theme by theme, the audience becomes more expressive in their response—more applause, more warmth—until we get closer to the end where people always end up on their feet and the person that started out sitting quietly ends up standing up, hooting and applauding,” Galeassi says.

“Tango—it’s pure emotion,” Cornejo says. “When you see tango, you will fall completely in love with it.”

Tickets for Tango After Dark in Toronto, running March 14-16 at the Winter Garden Theatre, are available here.