René’s next tango recital, sponsored by “Casa Argentina de Houston”, will take place Saturday September 16th 2006 at 07:30 PM at the Jones Hall of the University of St. Thomas, 3910 Yoakum, Houston, Texas, 77006.

It will include two renowned tango dancers and, for the first time, an exceptional violinist. As it is customary in recitals of René Casarsa and friend artists, the net proceeds will be donated to charity. 


“René Casarsa Music Grant”

René’s last event in Houston (Tango, Borges, Piazzolla, and more…”) took place at the University of St. Thomas in September of 2005 and was sponsored by the “Institute of Spanish Culture” of Houston.

The net proceeds of this recital were destined to create the “René Casarsa Music Grant”. This grant will sponsor a musician from the Houston area to study Argentine music in Buenos Aires, in the academic year 2006-2207.
For details on how to apply for this grant please contact the Institute of Hispanic Culture, 3315 Sul Ross, Houston, TX, 77098, Tel 713-528-1492
Email: institute@ihch.org
 

“Tango, Borges, Piazzolla and more…”

This is a program of music and poetry dedicated to the works of Astor Piazzolla and the poems that Jorge Luis Borges wrote on tango themes, and for which Piazzolla composed a set of tangos and milongas. The program was first introduced in 2002, and repeated in 2005 and 2006 at different venues (Houston and Corpus Christi). The poems were read by Dr. Roberto Alsina and more recently by Claudio Manzollillo. The “four seasons” of Buenos Aires were interpreted for the first time during the 2005 event.

“Anthology of Tango”, narrated by Claudio Manzolillo, is a two part program that takes the audience through a journey of tango history and its evolution. It starts with the forerunners of tango (i.e. tango Andaluz, milonga campera, Habanera and candombe) and concludes with the “avant-garde” compositions of Astor Piazzolla. The program also includes dancing.

"Tango Time", presented in 2000, included for the first time, tango dancers.

Another example of Rene's  recitals is “A Night of Tango,” the last of which took place in October 2004 at the Jones Hall of the University of St. Thomas.  The event was sponsored by Casa Argentina de Houston and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages of the University of St. Thomas.

The two part program consisting of 22 tangos and milongas included dancing with Houston Argentine Tango Association members, and Marcelo Solis, from San Francisco, California.   The performers were:

Joan Bishop and Marcelo Solis

Michael Figart and Belita Leal, and

Raul Edwards and Eleni Barzouka

A Night of Tango – Program
 

First Part
 

Melodía de arrabal

Milonga Sentimental

El Entrerriano                           All dancers

Boedo

La Casita de mi Viejos

El Firulete

Don Juan                                  Joan/Marcelo

Naranjo en Flor

Sur

Malena

Taquito Militar                         Joan/Marcelo

Second Part
 

A fuego Lento

Collage

El Porteñito                              All dancers

Contratiempo

Otoño Porteño

Invierno Porteño

A Media Luz                             Joan/Marcelo

Cafetín de Buenos Aires

Payadora

Recordando a Mores (Medley)

La Cumparsita                          Joan/Marcelo

Encores: “El Choclo”, danced by all, and “Adiós Nonino”.

Net proceeds of the event were donated to a school in René’s home town (Santa Fe) and to set up a Casa Argentina de Houston scholarship.