The National Ballet of Kosovo and the Ajkun Ballet Company In Chiara Ajkun’s TANGO Nights

May 31, June 1 and 2 - The St. Jean Theater

 

New York Premiere of Tango Nights, the new choreography by Chiara Ajkun created for the National Ballet of Kosovo. Tickets Now On Sale!

Fresh on the heel of a successful engagement at the National Ballet of Kosovo, New York City choreographer Chiara Ajkun brings her newest work, Tango Nights, to the Theater at St. Jean’s, in Manhattan Upper East Side, on May 31, June 1 and 2.

For over two decades, Chiara Ajkun has created works reflecting real emotions, passion and fragility of humans, at times touching social and intimate issues. Reshaping the idea of theatrical, Ajkun adds film flavor to her live creations – however centered on dance and movement. From an early indicator of the artistic output that would follow, Ajkun’s first work commissioned by the Malta Opera House, to choreographing in 27 countries of which the National Ballet of Kosovo is her last addition, Ajkun has distinguished herself for creating ballets marked by a breath and boldness of vivid imagination.

Tango Nights is a fragmentary telling of raw feelings associated with the dance style, from early stages of poor immigrants in Buenos Aires to today’s entertainment, seen through the lenses of passionate, romantic and sometimes capricious relationships between men and women. The production is a contemporary one-act narrative ballet. Ajkun Ballet dancers making their debut in Tango Nights this season include Momoko Burbine, Klevis Tafaj, Areum Jeong and Tomas Martinelli siding National Ballet of Kosovo dancers for which the choreography has been created. 

Tango Nights is set to compelling scores by Carlos Gardel and Astor Piazzolla. The ballet features breathtaking costumes by Elva Bella, Dancing with the Stars costume designer, and lighting design by Paul Jones. Encores will take place on August 16th in New York City and on September 2, 3, 4 at the National Theater of Pristina, Kosovo.

The United States have been determinant for Kosovo ‘s recognition from the rest of the world and this friendly relationship, maintained by President Joe Biden, carries on to these days through the arts.

Tango Nights is produced by The National Theater and The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kosovo. 

The New York City shows are made possible by the generous support from Coordinating Council of Diaspora – Chaired by Mark Gjonaj.

 

Ajkun Ballet and National Ballet of Kosovo

TANGO NIGHTS

Theater at St. Jean 150 E 76 Street, NYC, NY 10021

Friday May 31 – Sunday June 2, 2024

Encores from: Friday, August 16, 2024

A production of The National Theater and The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kosovo with support from The Coordinating Council of Diaspora – Chaired by Mark Gjonaj.

Choreography Chiara Ajkun

Music Carlos Gardel and Astor Piazzolla

Designer Elva Bella

Lighting Designer Paul Jones

Cast

Momoko Burbine, Klevis Tafaj, Areum Jeong, Jeffrey Salce, Megan Dollar, Abbi Johnson, Telmen Munkherdene, Bailey Smith, Hitomi Ippongi, Tomas Martinelli, Elisa Molinari, Bianka Skenderi, Risa Tada of the Ajkun Ballet Company and Mërgime Morina, Vjollca Llugiqi,, Jeta Musolli, Leonora Rexhepi, Besarta Shaljani, Sead Vuniqi, Fatmir Smani, Fisnik Smani and Muhamet Bikliqi of the National Ballet of Kosovo

About Chiara Ajkun

Chiara Ajkun is an Italian American choreographer, formerly a principal ballet dancer, and the artistic director of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre. Chiara has restaged classical ballets and created original choreography for preeminent companies in Australia, Europe, North and South America and for movies produced by ABC, BBC, FOX, RAI national televisions. Chiara’s choreography for Ajkun Ballet Theatre, The Originals, features Chiara’s libretto, music selection and minimalist décor. The Originals is supported by Fever, Netflix and Creativity Matters! www.ajkunbt.org/chiara-ajkun

About The National Ballet of Kosovo

Under the directorship of Sinan Kajtazi, The Kosovo Ballet is a driving force in the development of ballet in the post-war scenario of former Yugoslavia and one of the youngest companies in the Balkans. Based at the National Theater of Kosovo in Pristina, the Ballet brings together world-class choreographers with its dancers and creative teams to share theatrical experiences with diverse audiences worldwide. www.baletikosoves.com

About The Ajkun Ballet Company

Under the directorship of Chiara Ajkun, the Ajkun Ballet Company was founded in New York City in 2000 to support the creation of Original Ballets by Chiara Ajkun. The Company performs Classics and Original ballets during its New York Season, Westchester and Capital Region residencies, Festival in Italy residency, Tours and in televised and online platforms. The company is operated by the nonprofit Ajkun Ballet Theatre. www.ajkunbt.org/the-company