UCSB Arts & Lectures Presents Tango After Dark on Sunday, February 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre

Led by World Tango Champions and featuring an ensemble of exceptional dancers, a powerhouse singer and a live band performing Astor Piazzolla’s revolutionary nuevo tango, this breathtaking, high-octane performance captures the seductive pulse of Buenos Aires

SUMMARY

“Sexy, sensuous, stylish and seriously impressive. This is an utter feast for the eyes and a riveting recital of physical poetry.” ★★★★ Broadway World (U.K.)

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Tango After Dark on Sunday, February 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre. This intimate and electrifying dive into the soul of Argentine dance is led by World Tango Champions Germán Cornejo and Gisela Galeassi. 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. Cornejo’s innovative choreography fuses deep-rooted traditions with a contemporary edge, capturing the seductive pulse of Buenos Aires. Following sold-out runs in London, the highly anticipated Santa Barbara premiere unveils tango in its purest form: bold, sensual and unforgettable.  

Director and Choreographer: Germán Cornejo
Assistant Choreographer: Gisela Galeassi
Musical Director: Diego Ramos
Sound Designer: Gaston Briski
Lighting Designer: Charlie Morgan Jones
Executive Producer: Sandra Castell-Garcia

Germán Cornejo’s Tango After Dark: the most intimate and sensual tango show direct from Argentina!

ABOUT TANGO AFTER DARK

Tango After Dark is the ultimate theatrical tango experience straight from Argentina, that merges the intoxicating music of the great Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla, jaw-dropping choreography and breath-taking moves to reveal tango in its most authentic but sophisticated form. As Argentina’s most popular dance, world-renowned for its seductive powers, this mesmerizing show combines the sensuous side of tango with the rawness and quick-fire precision of this dance, taking this passionate dancing language to the limit, to create a unique and exhilarating performance. This outstanding theatrical experience is entirely inspired by the great work of Astor Piazzolla, who is a prominent Argentinean contemporary music figure. His music, a masterful blend of urban music and cutting-edge composing techniques, sought a provocative renewal of style through a transmutation of sonority as well as rhythm, which resulted in unique and remarkable sounds and sensationsrecognized worldwide. 

Starting in the 1960s, Piazzolla’s figure became the core of avant-garde thought, whose three-decade leading transformation took the “New Tango” to the most prestigious stages in the world. This world-renowned composer transformed the tango landscape in the 1960s and 70s by introducing the world to his Nuevo Tango. Piazzolla is Buenos Aires but he is also night: peak and abyss, fierceness and mystery, lights and shadows of this city which never sleeps; all reflected in his music, as they would look in a kaleidoscope. Tango After Dark springs from this porteña night, Piazzolla’s muse and inspiration. With live music by two sensational singers and seven on-stage musicians who bring Piazzolla’s passionate music to life, tango superstar and World Champion Germán Cornejo leads his superb company of 10 world-class dancers to show off the sultry nature of tango in this breath-taking 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.

 Cornejo, who was deeply inspired by such a revolutionary and creative spirit, goes through his own transformation of tango dance language by setting free his creativity and taking it to its limits. The final outcome is both an authentic and personal tango which magnificently blends roots with the cutting edge, the melancholic and surreal Buenos Aires with XXI century sophistication. With multiple sold out performances across the globe, Germán Cornejo’s spectacular choreography has captivated audiences worldwide for more than 10 years, through its unique mix of tradition and sophistication of tango for the 21st century. Celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Marc Anthony, Mel B., Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez, among others, have praised Germán’s work. Tango After Dark is set to be an unforgettable evening that will keep your passion for tango burning deep into the night.

ABOUT GERMÁN CORNEJO AND GISELA GALEASSI

Germán & Gisela have been practicing and perfecting their tango since the early ages of 10 and 16, respectively. They have mastered the skills and styles of classical dance, contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, acrobatics and tango in the company of Argentina’s most respected teachers. After over 40 first place prizes at national level, Germán & Gisela became World Tango Champions in 2005 and 2003 respectively, which undoubtedly took their professionalism and dance to the highest level and standards.

Germán & Gisela’s list of performances is endless. They have participated in the following top rated TV shows in Argentina and around the world: Susana Giménez, Bailando 2012, Showmatch, Almorzando con Mirtha Legrand, Mañanas Informales, La Noche del 10, Por el Mundo, Desayuno, Por Siempre Tango, Mp3, Música del Tercer Milenio, Afectos Especiales, Programa Do Jó (Brazil), The CW11 Morning News (USA), Fox News (USA), Good Day New York! (USA), Espejo Público (España), Televisión de Cataluña (España), Dancing with The Stars (Australia), Sky News (UK) and Sky Live (UK). Germán & Gisela also joined the world famous Jennifer Lopez & Marc Antony’s reality TV show Q’ Viva – The Chosen (USA, Canada, and Latin America) where they became winning finalists and also starred in JLo and Marc Anthony’s show Q ‘Viva Live as Soloist Dancers under the direction of the well-known entertainment director (from Madonna, JLo and Britney Spears, among others) Jamie King. This show was a spectacular success at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, USA. 

Germán & Gisela’s performances have gotten rave reviews in different corners of the world as in the Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, USA), Joyce Theatre (New York, USA), New York City Center (New York, USA), Mandalay Bay Arena (Las Vegas, USA), Colón Theatre (Buenos Aires, Argentina), GEBA Arena (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Luna Park Stadium (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Sadler’s Wells Theatre (London, UK), Peacock Theatre (London, UK), Liverpool Philharmonic Hall (Liverpool, UK), Oriental Arts Center (Shanghai, CHINA), Beijing Opera House (Beijing, CHINA), Guangzhou Opera House (Guangzhou, CHINA), Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA), Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), State Theatre (Melbourne, Australia), State Theatre (Sydney, Australia), Joburg Theatre (Johannesburg, South Africa), MAAG Music Hall (Zurich, Switzerland), Place Des Arts (Montreal, Canada), GREC Theatre (Barcelona, Spain), The Esplanade Theatre (Singapore, Singapore) and Tokyu Theatre Orb (Tokyo, Japan). Some of the Tango Houses and Milongas that have taken delight in this wonderful couple’s art in Buenos Aires are: Café Tortoni, Esquina Homero Manzi, Chiquín, Faena Hotel + Universe, El Viejo Almacén, La Viruta, Porteño y Bailarín, Parakultural and Confitería Ideal. 

Germán & Gisela have been part of a wide number of tango shows: “Vamos al Tango”, directed by Osvaldo Berlingeri, “Tango Inferno,” “Bien de Tango” – accompanied by the orchestra El Arranque – “Tango Seduction,” “Tango Pasión” (under the musical direction of the renowned Sexteto Mayor) and “El Viejo Almacen On Tour” as well. An extensive tour around Japan was successfully completed with Buenos Tangos, directed by  Fabio Hager, and Tango Dance Premium, in the company of Fernando Marzan’s Orchestra. Because of their outstanding popularity at Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony’s show in 2012, Germán & Gisela appeared in a KOHL’S advertisement; later, in June 2012, they were JLO’s special guest artists and performed at her first concert at GEBA Arena in Buenos Aires. In 2014, this young couple had the pleasure of dancing in and starring in Plaza Francia Ensemble’s first music video, which was also joined by the famous French singer Catherine Ringer. In the same year, they performed as guest artists at Sampled Festival and Latitude Festival in England.

Germán & Gisela’s professional development and growth extend to the fields of teaching and coaching as well. They are currently regarded as two of the best Tango Show teachers in Buenos Aires thanks to the fact that their students have been reaching top positions year after year in the big final of the Tango World Championship. Indeed, they were selected choreographers and tango coaches for one of the couples in the Argentine equivalent of Dancing with the Stars, Bailando 2012. It is because of their objective judgement, deep knowledge and wide experience that Germán & Gisela are regularly summoned to join juries at regional championships of tango in Chile, Spain, Italy and Japan.

This couple have been part of the show M!longa’s since its international debut in 2013, under the direction of the acclaimed contemporary choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. They are also lead dancers of “Tango Fire – Flames of Desire”, which has placed Germán as its Director of Choreography. Germán’s choreographing experience includes “Mission Tango Show” (2007) under the musical direction of Lisandro Adrover, “Tango Inferno – The Fire Within” (2010/2011), “Tango Fire” (2011/2016), “Immortal Tango” (2015/2016) and “Break The Tango” (2016). Gisela was also the choreographer of “Tango Dance Premium” (2007) and assistant choreographer in “Immortal Tango” (2015/2016) and “Break The Tango” (2016). Germán & Gisela’s biggest desire is to show their tango and passion for dancing in each and every single corner of the world. So far, they have made this possible in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Greece, Canada, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia, Philippines, France, Israel, Luxemburg, Bulgaria, Cyprus, South Africa, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, Albania, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Singapore, New Zealand, all of the USA, Brazil, UK, Spain, Australia, China and Japan. Indeed, rave reviews by the New York Times, Ottawa Citizen, The London Times and Financial Times, among other top newspapers, have established this young couple’s dance as the gold standard.

ABOUT UCSB ARTS & LECTURES

The 2025-2026 season marks UCSB Arts & Lectures’ 66th year of bringing unique, world-class performances, films and lectures to Central Coast and campus audiences. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” Arts & Lectures is the largest performing arts and public lectures presenter between San Francisco and Los Angeles, beloved by audiences for its award-winning, diverse and innovative programming that deeply enriches lives and extends the intellectual life of the community beyond the classroom. Arts & Lectures’ award-winning Access for ALL educational outreach programs provide rare opportunities for students to meet and learn from visiting artists and speakers. In the 2025-26 season, most of the speakers and performers will participate in master classes, lecture-demonstrations, open rehearsals and classroom discussions at UCSB and in the community.

Tango After Dark is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures. 

Tickets are $60 – $85 General Public / $16 UCSB students (Current student ID required)

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