On Saturday, February 22 at 5:00 p.m., nonprofit Lila Productions will present Milonga! at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth, NH. The event will feature acclaimed Tango dancer and choreographer Alejandro Figliolo, who will also lead a 45-minute masterclass at 4:00 p.m.

Deeply rooted in Tango culture and tradition, a milonga offers a space for dancers of all abilities to connect and immerse themselves in the rhythm and emotion of Tango music. “A milonga is as much about the social experience and connection between dancers as it is about the dance itself,” explained Nathan Moyer, co-founder of Lila Productions. “We are thrilled to welcome Alejandro back to the States.”

Milonga! is more than a performance, however. “Audience members can step onto the dance floor, dance, and experience Argentine Tango themselves,” added Moyer.

Milonga! will be performed at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 22 at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth. The 45-minute masterclass is at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the event, with tickets for the class and event priced at $50. To purchase tickets, visit themusichall.org or lilaproductions.org.

Lila Productions’ nonprofit mission is “to foster genuine appreciation for dance among diverse communities in New Hampshire through community outreach, educational initiatives, and live performances.” To learn more, visit lilaproductions.org.

Theatre KAPOW, Senior Fellow in New Hampshire Dance Collaborative’s (NHDC) Dance Accelerator program, continues to push artistic boundaries with its production of Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan.

Running from February 7–9 at the BNH Stage in Concord and February 21–23 at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, the play breaks down barriers between performers and audience members. “Every Brilliant Thing invites the audience into the story, which reflects our belief that art is a collaborative and healing process,” said Production Director Emma Cahoon. “It’s a perfect metaphor for the importance of community in life and art.”

According to NHDC Founder Joan Brodsky, this metaphor of collaborative art as a healer is crucial in today’s often “isolating and lonely world.” “Theatre KAPOW reminds us that healing and connection happen when we share our stories and listen to one another,” she said. “This is the essence of NHDC’s vision—using the arts to create spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and united.”

Theatre KAPOW will also prioritize inclusivity in the production through a partnership with Future in Sight to ensure accessibility for audiences who are blind or visually impaired. ASL interpretation will be available for the February 9 matinee in Concord.

In addition, community partners Capital Art Therapy and the Jason R. Flood Memorial will join Theatre KAPOW after the February 9 matinee for a post-show discussion. “These organizations align with the play’s themes, offering resources to support mental health, creativity, and suicide prevention,” added Cahoon.

Brodsky added, “Good performance art and dance is much more than entertainment. It can get us out of our heads and into our hearts.”

Supported by the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and NHDC, Theatre KAPOW creates ensemble-driven productions that explore the human experience. Theatre KAPOW’s 2024-25 season is sponsored by St. Mary’s Bank.