HEAR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. SEE IT COME ALIVE.
Music becomes movement. Movement becomes music.
Together, in a magical moment, they become the tango.
On Saturday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m., Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts will welcome Pittsburgh’s premier tango quartet, AquiTango, and internationally acclaimed dancers Mario Consiglieri and Yulia Zhukoff for an exhilarating evening of live music and movement in the exceptional acoustics, warmth and intimacy of Lincoln Hall.
You will experience tango as it was meant to be: the music made visible as you see and feel every shared breath, sudden pause and irresistible pull of the dance and spontaneous improvisation by the musicians.
Throughout the evening, the musicians and dancers will share stories and insights with the audience, inviting you into the music and the expressive give-and-take of tango.
Whether tango is a longtime love or a new discovery, expect a warm, engaging evening with artists who welcome you into their world.
ARCA Audience Favorites Return
Regional audiences will recognize two of the musicians immediately. Internationally known stride pianist Tom Roberts has performed for ARCA audiences in solo jazz and ensemble Allegheny City Ragtime Orchestra appearances throughout the organization’s two decades. Maureen Conlon Gutierrez, Concertmaster of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, brought the touching lyricism and rhythmic dynamism of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos to ARCA’s 20th anniversary concert in October of 2025. Watch Maureen perform Piazzolla at ARCA’s anniversary concert.
Maureen and bassist José Layo Puentes have also appeared twice in Lincoln Hall with Tom’s Allegheny City Ragtime Orchestra. Now these familiar artists return to explore the expressive world of Argentine tango alongside Ernesto Contenti, making his Lincoln Hall debut.
They return as members of an ensemble with musical roots spanning four countries: Conlon Gutierrez from Mexico on violin; Puentes from Venezuela on double bass; Argentine-born Contenti on accordion and vocals; and Pittsburgh’s Roberts at the piano.
The quartet’s repertoire reaches back to tango’s traditional roots as the music moves through contrasting moods—from lyrical tenderness and dramatic intensity to the flowing melodies of valses and the spirited rhythms of milongas. The program includes the beloved “Por una cabeza,” featured in Scent of a Woman, Piazzolla’s “Balada para un loco,” and original compositions by Ernesto Contenti. Throughout, the quartet brings its own phrasing, expression and spontaneity to the music.
Here Ernesto Contenti, whom Tom Roberts calls “Buenos Aires Tango personified” sings “Mi Buenos Aires” for The Allegheny City Society series in Buhl Park, Pittsburgh, PA.
“As a classically trained musician, playing tango gives me the freedom to break out from my formal training and just let go,” Johnstown Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Maureen Conlon Gutierrez said. “It allows me to add my own interpretation and passion to the music.”
Be swept away by Romance, Passion and Elegance as Argentine Tango comes vividly to life – as world traveled tango dancers Mario Consiglieri and Yulia Zhukoff join the renowned AquiTango quartet and surrender to the rhythm of its live arrangements.
Tickets: Adults $20, Students $5
Reserve: 724-659-3153 – Cash / Check at the door
Buy here
Beer and Wine sold – cash bar
A Convergence of Global Artistry
The evening features Mario Consiglieri, an internationally acclaimed Argentine Tango dancer, choreographer, and master instructor whose visionary work has shaped the landscape of contemporary tango. Over a career spanning more than 28 years, he has established himself as a central figure in the global tango community, celebrated for his profound understanding of movement mechanics and his captivating stage presence.
For Yulia Zhukoff, the dance floor is an extension of the concert hall. A professionally trained cellist from Saint Petersburg, Russia who has toured the US and internationally as a professional Argentine tango dancer and is now a dance instructor in Pittsburgh, Yulia brings a musician’s understanding of phrasing, expression, ‘rubato’ and silence to her dancing.
Yulia’s transition into the world of Argentine Tango was driven by a desire to inhabit the music she had spent a lifetime performing.
Consiglieri and Zhukoff will bring the elegance, intimacy and extraordinary physical communication of tango to make AquiTango’s beautiful music visible – on the Lincoln Hall stage.
Together, the dancers do more than execute rehearsed steps. They will listen to the AquiTango quartet and answer through movement—transforming the musicians’ shifting rhythms, melodic phrases and sudden pauses into a spontaneous physical dialogue.
Watch here as Mario Consiglieri dances with Rebecca O’Laoire.
On the stage of Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Hall in Oakland, Yulia and her partner Chewy perform with the River City Brass.
The Spirit of Improvisation and Original Composition
“Lincoln Hall is going to be transformed. It’s a magical thing – creating and making music in the moment,” noted AquiTango pianist Tom Roberts.
“Ernesto Contenti is the entire heart and soul of AquiTango. He is Buenos Aires Tango personified. Nobody has his combination of singing and playing plus composing tango. His voice is beyond belief – sensual and impassioned. Ernesto lives in the moment. He becomes the piece of music – and he is so inside of it, he becomes the tango.”
AquiTango performs Carlos Gardel’s “Por una cabeza” featured in the movie Scent of a Woman in a concert for the Allegheny City Society in Buhl Park, Pittsburgh, introduced by group member and pianist, Tom Roberts.
What distinguishes AquiTango’s repertoire in addition to the timeless music of Carlos Gardel who composed the music to “Por una Cabeza” featured in the movie Scent of a Woman is the original compositions by Argentine-born co-founder Ernesto Contenti.
In addition to traditional classics, AquiTango will perform six original compositions by Contenti. His song “Part of Me,” featuring lyrics in both English and Spanish, beautifully reflects his personal journey of moving to Pittsburgh, assimilating into a new culture, and ultimately coming to call the city home.
Providing the evening’s expressive live music, rich in shifting rhythms, lyrical phrasing and moments of suspension, AquiTango brings a breath of romantic Buenos Aires to audiences throughout the Pittsburgh region and Northeastern United States, performing concerts and traditional tango dance gatherings (milongas).
Individually, the musicians have recorded with renowned labels, created exceptional musical productions, and performed globally with established classical orchestras and popular ensembles. Tom Roberts, who received his first book of Argentine tangos from the iconic Leon Redbone while touring with him and whose wide-ranging repertoire of Caribbean and South American music and New Orleans jazz— now finds expression in his playing with AquiTango.
Traditional tango gives performers the freedom to interpret, improvise, and respond to one another—creating a raw, living experience that evolves from one performance to the next. That spontaneity becomes even more palpable when dancers respond in the moment to the musicians onstage.
Come to the River for an evening of expressive music, extraordinary dance and the pleasure of discovering it all up close.
Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts is grateful for the generous gift of Selina-Pedi Smith and Dr. Don Smith sponsoring the concert of Aqui Tango & Dancers.
Tickets: Adults $20, Students $5
Reserve: 724-659-3153 – Cash / Check at the door
Buy here
Beer and Wine sold – cash bar
No knowledge of tango is necessary to enjoy the performance, and audience members do not need to dance. Guests may simply experience the artistry from Lincoln Hall’s intimate seating, while open space at the back of the hall will be available for those inspired to move.
Make an Evening of Art, Nature & Tango in Foxburg
Before the concert, stop by the Red Brick Gallery from 5 to 7 PM for a glass of wine and cheese at the opening reception for the exhibit of RBG founder and cooperative artist, watercolorist Donna Edmonds, and ceramicist Cheri Anderton Yarnell – each capturing the same wonder of the Pennsylvania Wilds through very different means and one shared devotion to the natural world around them:
Donna’s precise, luminous botanical and wildlife watercolors, and Cheri’s etched, hand-built porcelain and stoneware.
Start the evening slow — wine, cheese, and the quiet company of herons and hand-thrown clay.
Then let the internationally acclaimed musicians and dancers in AquiTango turn the volume up at 7:30 PM in Lincoln Hall.
The Red Brick Gallery is located at 17 Main Street, Foxburg, PA 16036.
About Yulia Zhukoff
For Yulia Zhukoff, the dance floor is an extension of the concert hall.
A professionally trained cellist from Saint Petersburg, Russia, Yulia’s transition into the world of Argentine Tango was driven by a desire to inhabit the music she had spent a lifetime performing. This unique background provides her with an analytical and emotional understanding of tango that few dancers possess.
While many dancers prioritize steps, Yulia focuses on the musical architecture. Her movement is defined by the same technical precision, phrasing, and control required in her cello performances.
Yulia specializes in the physical execution of rubato, translating the complex arrangements of the Golden Age into clear, rhythmic cues.
In her dance, the music acts as a structural guide, where every movement is a direct response to the specific instrumentation and timing of the score.
As a dedicated tango dancer and teacher, Yulia Zhukoff has spent over a decade developing her tango dancing. Her journey has taken her to Buenos Aires, where she immersed herself in the heart of Argentine tango—studying with renowned maestros, refining her technique, and deepening her musicality with a partner.
Together, with Mario Consiglieri in Lincoln Hall, she will bring a rich blend of tradition and personal expression to her dancing, shaped by years of collaboration, travel, and artistic growth.
About Mario Consiglieri
Mario Consiglieri is an internationally acclaimed Argentine Tango dancer, choreographer, and master instructor whose visionary work has shaped the landscape of contemporary tango.
Over a career spanning more than 28 years, he has established himself as a central figure in the global tango community, celebrated for his profound understanding of movement mechanics and his captivating stage presence.
Renowned for his ability to deconstruct complex improvisational structures, Mario has traveled the world leading elite masterclasses, including the prestigious Seminario Intensivo Recursos del Tango Contemporáneo in Buenos Aires.
His artistry bridges the gap between traditional roots and modern evolution, focusing heavily on the physical mechanics of partner connection, spatial awareness, and fluid improvisation. As a premier performer, he regularly graces elite orchestral stages worldwide, collaborating with symphonies and international artists in acclaimed productions such as The Soul of Tango.
Through his dedicated teaching and spellbinding performances, Mario continues to inspire the next generation of dancers across the globe.
The Art of Argentine Tango
Argentine Tango is an improvisational language born in the late 19th century along the Río de la Plata in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Unlike ballroom tango, which relies on standardized patterns, Argentine Tango is built upon a dynamic connection between partners and a sophisticated response to the music’s “architecture.”
At its core, the dance is a study of geometry and gravity. It requires a shared axis and a silent, tactile dialogue known as the abrazo (embrace). Through this connection, dancers navigate complex elements, from the rhythmic precision of traspié to the fluid elegance of giros and boleos.
Modern Argentine Tango is not merely a sequence of steps; it is a physical visualization of the music itself. It demands an acute awareness of phrasing and rubato, where the dancers act as the final instruments of the orchestra, translating melody and silence into deliberate, expressive movement.
About AquiTango
AquiTango members hail from Mexico (Maureen Conlon Gutierrez-violin), Venezuela (Jose Layo Puentes-double bass) and Argentina (Ernesto Contenti-accordeon, vocals, composer) and American (Tom Roberts-piano) individually having recorded with world renowned record labels, produced exceptional musical productions, and played around the world with some of the most renown classical orchestras and popular groups.
Together they provide a unique cultural and entertaining experience for their audience as they imbue the music they play with passion and feeling. It is a fresh alternative and an inspiring breath of romantic Buenos Aires. Dance or just listen as these formally trained international musicians deliver a cultural experience that will inspire your sensibilities.
AquiTango performs “milongas” (tango dance events) and concerts throughout the Northeastern region of America. Their music has been featured in film soundtracks and on the radio.
What distinguishes AquiTango’s repertoire is the timeless music of Carlos Gardel, alongside original compositions by Argentine-born co-founder Ernesto Contenti.
In addition to traditional classics, AquiTango will perform six original compositions by Contenti. His song “Part of Me,” featuring lyrics in both English and Spanish, beautifully reflects his personal journey of moving to Pittsburgh, assimilating into a new culture, and ultimately coming to call the city home.
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Ernesto Contenti, Accordionist, Vocalist, Composer & Co-Founder of AquiTango.
Ernesto learned tango while growing up in Argentina, the birthplace of tango, and played with bands throughout Buenos Aires.
Ernesto is the band’s vocalist and accordionist, and composes all of the original pieces played by Aqui Tango. He has been called “Buenos Aires Tango Personified.”
He is also an entrepreneur and is the inventor of Pillowsonic, a music therapy device used to comfort hospitalized children.
Maureen Conlon Gutierrez, Violinist
Originally from Mexico, Maureen is a classically trained violinist who brings her training into her interpretation of tango.
Maureen fell in love with this passionate genre of music four years ago when asked to join former band, Tangeros de Ley.
“As a classically trained musician, playing tango gives me the freedom to break out from my formal training and just let go,” said Aqui Tango band member Maureen Conlon Gutierrez. “It allows me to add my own interpretation and passion to the music.” Maureen’s website is located at maureenconlon.com
Jose Layo Puentes, Bassist
A Venezuelan native, Jose joined Aqui Tango is the band’s most recent member.
In addition to tango, Jose is equally at home with other styles including classical, jazz, Venezuelan folk music, and salsa, all which play a part in his style and interpretation.
Tom “El Cacho” Roberts, Pianist. Tom is the band’s native Pittsbugh member. Lovingly referred to as “El Cacho”—the band’s honorary Latino member.
A leading proponent of early jazz piano in the world today, he has been hailed as “one of the finest pianists today in the exciting Harlem stride piano style.”
He’s performed on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Statler Brothers Show on TNN, and A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.
Tom was pianist for Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks in New York City and pianist and musical director for Leon Redbone for six years. He was the featured pianist at the International Stride Piano Summit in Zurich, Switzerland in 2001 and 2009.
Tom arranged and performed music for the soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s film The Aviator, as well as several titles for the film DeLovely. He has arranged music for the syndicated PRI show Riverwalk Jazz, Live from the Landing with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, and Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Louis Armstrong concert.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Tom played in all the major jazz clubs in the French Quarter and on the riverboats of New Orleans from 1989 to 1994. He’s performed twice at New York’s Carnegie Hall with Skitch Henderson and the New York Pops and was featured in solo with Dick Hyman on the “Jazz In July” series at NYC’s 92nd Street Y in 2003. Tom has recorded over 40 albums and performed throughout the US and Europe. He is a versatile music historian with special focus on the Early Jazz era, a frequent guest at National Public Radio and has written articles for magazines such as Piano Today.
ARIVE EARLY & EXPLORE FOXBURG!
Plan to Make a Day of it in beautiful Foxburg!
Before the concert, plan to stop by the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop from 5 to 7 PM for a glass of wine at the ‘soft opening’ of the exhibit of RBG Cooperative Artist and Botanical Watercolorist Donna Edmonds and stoneware ceramicist Cheri Anderton Yarnell.
AND in the first floor Gift Shop to find special gifts from the offerings of 18 talented Cooperative Artists from the region.
Two artists express their respect and concern for nature, especially wildlife, using vivid color and carefully depicted forms within their respective media.
The exhibit runs weekends from Friday, August 21 to Sunday, September 27. On Saturday, September 26 the Red Brick Gallery is open from 11 AM to 7 PM.
Before the concert enjoy a walk along the Allegheny River trail or rent bicycles or have a pontoon ride with Foxburg Tours.
Have supper before the concert at the Allegheny Grille with seating on the deck overlooking the Allegheny River – or in their dining room with a stunning river view.
Or for more casual fare, at Foxburg Pizza with soups, salads, sandwiches and pizza… try their pizza of the month or ask them for their Meat Lover’s Pizza or their Chicken Alfredo Pizza – and save room for their tiramisu dessert or an ice-cream treat! Beer sold.
Save time to enjoy wine tasting and or enjoy a bottle of wine on their patio at the beautifully renovated Foxburg Wine Cellars.
Plan to stop by and do some shopping on the day of a concert – and use one of the wine discounts available at the $100 ARCA membership and above!
As we say goodbye to summer, plan to make it a romantic get-away weekend before the fall season is in full swing at the Foxburg Inn – enjoying their river deck for star-gazing by night after the concert and catching morning rays with a cup of coffee – staying in the recently remodeled and elegant Foxburg Inn.
Overnight or weekend stay? Reserve your room at Foxburg Inn using promo code ARCA2026 for savings on accommodations.
Become an ARCA member at the $100 level and receive a 5% room discount any time of the year and a 10% discount from Friday to Sunday on concert weekends, utilizing the hotel website or calling directly (724-659-3116) and showing your membership card at check-in.
