Linda Murphy Lifestyle Editor @HNFastFood

The tango is more than just a dance for Marina Katayeva; it’s become a way of life that inspired her creatively in ways she never expected.

From her very first tango lesson five years ago, Katayeva was hooked. At the time, she was looking for a form of exercise to keep her mind active so she decided on a whim to stop in for a lesson at Providence Tango.

She was mesmerized, to say the least.

Not only did Katayeva embrace the international dance, something moved her to start sketching the fluid movement of the dancers as she improved her own skills dancing there every Friday night.

Her sketches grew over time into larger paintings and even larger canvas panels with minimal lines conveying the elegant dance.

Naturally, the first showing of the panels was at Providence Tango where they were draped along the walls. Through a friend, the tango series caught the eye of an art curator who asked her to exhibit them in New York at Webster Hall, where they were displayed outside the building for the Quarterly Arts Soiree. Exhibits followed at a tango festival in Boston, then in shows in Providence and other cities.

At the tango ballroom, called a milonga, dancers from age 16 to 100 meet to share in the experience of the dance. Following the “rules” of the milonga, an invitation comes in the form of a nod of the head called a cabeceo.

Traveling to Europe to visit family, Katayeva said she started people-watching in airports and other places to see if she could tell by people’s posture and they way they moved if they were, like her, a “tanguero.” The idea led to her next tango-inspired creation, Charmed Cabeceo. The metal medallion, with two beads, floating in an infinity shape inside a circle is a subtle symbol for tangueros to use to recognize each other outside of the milonga.

First, Katayeva envisioned people hanging the medallion with its simple tassel from a pocketbook or briefcase, but it caught on with people in the tango realm.

A native of Ukraine, Katayeva moved to Fall River more than 20 years ago. Check out Katayeva’s tango-inspired creations on Friday, April 27, at the Cherry & Webb Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. at the opening night of ArtWeek in Fall River, organized by the Creative Arts Network. Tango dancers will perform, and light appetizers will be served.

 

 

ArtWeek in Fall River, part of a state-wide ArtWeek, will feature more than a dozen events. The Creative Arts Network is hosting five events. The schedule of ArtWeek events in Fall River includes the following:

 

"The Tango" Opening Night Exhibit & Reception

Price: FREE

Location: Cherry & Webb Gallery, 139 South Main St., Fall River

Friday, April 27, 6 to 8 p.m.

Creative Arts Network, Inc., (CAN) will kick-off ArtWeek with an open night exhibition and reception of works by Marina Katayeva. “The Tango” is an exuberant exhibition of works that are inspired by the partner dance that originated in the 1880s along the River Plate, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world. Katayeva will do a short presentation about her works and what inspired her designs, as well a short Tango dance where the public can join in.

 

Strictly Sinatra: Children's Museum of Fall River

Price: $50

Location: Cultural Center, 205 South Main St., Fall River

Friday, April 27, 5:30 to 10 p.m.

Experience the essence of Frank Sinatra as Michael Dutra transforms into the jazz legend, entertaining and educating attendees on the era and art. From Vegas to Miami, Dutra performs “Strictly Sinatra” 275 days of the year and brings his show for one night only to the Fall River Cultural Center where we will flash back in time, morphing into a yesteryear evening of dancing and song, complete with an artwork exhibition from the featured honorees of this fundraiser, the children who grace The Children’s Museum of Greater Fall River on a daily basis. Advance ticket purchase required.

 

Art of Wellness: POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center

Price: FREE

Location: POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center, 187 Plymouth Ave., Durfee Mills building 8, first floor, Fall River

Friday, April 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Join the nonprofit POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center for this wellness workshop where we will use art and symbols to connect creatively to our emotional, mental and physical self. We will discuss creative ways to invite mindfulness and meditation into your daily life. What makes this experience unique is that is being opened up for the whole family, with tools for youth as well as adults. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. join in "Creative Movement & Emotional Expression." From 6:30 to 8 p.m., paint with the chakras or create a visual display of your physical experience.

 

Amateur Radio Day

Price: $25

Location: Battleship Cove, 5 Water St., Fall River

Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join amateur radio enthusiasts for a special day of making contact and exploring the art of communications. Operators will be on board the battleship Massachusetts broadcasting live and demonstrating radio communications. Visitors will have the opportunity to try the equipment and make contact with radio operators near and far. There will also be special hands-on demonstrations in other shipboard communications (both visual and sound), such as semaphore flags, Morse Code and sound-powered phones.

 

Experience the World of Art in VR

Price: FREE

Location: Business Innovation Center, 385 Columbia St., Fall River

Saturday, April 28, noon to 4 p.m.

Special for ArtWeek, the Virtual Reality Scavenger Hunt is an interactive educational experience for participants as they explore the world of art through virtual reality. Travel the world and visit museums without leaving the room. Participants will set off to explore an assortment of virtual reality environments by finding artifacts related to a particular theme or topic. Participants can also paint or sculpt their artistic vision to bring it to life in VR. Open to all ages and skill levels. A variety of other programs will be mapped out in the cozy environment at the Business Innovation Center which is completely equipped with robots and other innovative technology.

 

Lizzie Borden and the 40 Whacks

Price: $25

Location: Abby Grill, 100 Rock St., Fall River

Sunday, April 29, 4 to 6 p.m.

On a scorching hot day in Fall River in August 1892, a heinous crime occurred. Spinster Lizzie Borden was accused, tried, and acquitted for the vicious axe murders of her father and stepmother. This true unsolved mystery has fascinated people for over 100 years. The performance will take place at the church Lizzie Borden attended which has been converted into fine dining establishment, The Abby Grill. The performance includes a mock trial that invites the audience to participate by questioning Lizzie, and voting on her guilt or innocence. An interactive evening you won’t forget. Did she or didn’t she? Let the audience be the judge.

 

Atlantis Charter School Class of 2018 Art Exhibit

Price: FREE

Location: Atlantis Charter School, 99 Jefferson St., Fall River

Monday, April 30, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Arts Academy of the Atlantis Charter School of Fall River presents the Class of 2018 Visual Art Interactive Exhibit. The class of 2018 will be the first graduating class for Atlantis Charter School. Five graduating seniors helped shape the course and are the trailblazers behind the exhibit Look Harder, See More, and Hopes & Dreams featuring pen and ink drawings, photography, and cultural crafting. These students will be on hand for live drawing and crafting demonstrations, as well as to discuss their process, inspirations, and finished pieces. Audience members will be invited to ask questions as well as to create along with these student artists.

 

Fall River Mayfest

Price: FREE

Location: First Congregational Church, 282 Rock St., Fall River

Friday, May 4, 6 to 9 p.m.

We will celebrate the coming of spring with a Maypole dance in front of the church, to 17th century English country dances, then into the sanctuary for "For Love and Honor" for young folks performing love songs, poetry reading, piano and song (solo and group), and some dance. At 8 p.m., enjoy classical performances on piano, violin and clarinet. Audiences are invited to join in on the Maypole dance. They can also participate in "For Love and Honor," with a small ukulele accompaniment ensemble and some ballroom dancing. End the evening with punch and cookies shared by all.

 

Art of Wellness

Location: POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center, 187 Plymouth Ave., Durfee Mills Building 8, first floor, Fall River

Friday May 4, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Join the nonprofit POTEGP Spiritual Guidance Center for this wellness workshop where we will use art and symbols to connect creatively to our emotional, mental and physical self. We will discuss creative ways to invite mindfulness and meditation into your daily life. What makes this experience unique is that is being opened up for the whole family, with tools for youth as well as adults. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. join in "Creative Movement & Emotional Expression." From 6:30 to 8 p.m., paint with the chakras or create a visual display of your physical experience.

 

Lizzie Borden Lantern & Ghost Tour

Price: FREE

Location: Former Trio Restaurant, 201 S Main St., Fall River

Friday, May 4, 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Sponsored by Creative Arts Network Inc., Whaling City Ghosts will be hosting a "mini ghost tour." This interactive event will start with homemade lantern making and a half-hour presentation that will leave you spellbound! The short walking tour down Second Street will cover Lizzie Borden, Sarah Maria Cornell (The Minister and the Mill Worker), the Murders in the Well (Lizzie Borden's aunt who murdered her two children in her cellar cistern, then killed herself with her husband's straight razor) and the Skeleton in Armor. We will also have other horror and paranormal female authors on hand. The event begins at the former Trio Restaurant.

 

Meet Julia Child

Price: $20

Location: Eagle Event Center, 35 North Main St., Fall River

Saturday, May 5, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Meet Julia Child, the beloved French chef in a live, interactive performance featuring Lynne Moulton as Julia Child. Learn more about her life: from her privileged childhood in California when she had no interest in food, except for eating what the family’s private chef prepared — to becoming one of the biggest culinary legends of all time. The audience will have the opportunity to view Julia on the set of The French Chef television show, an amusing and fun experience. After the performance, the cast will open up for discussion regarding Julia Child and light French refreshments will be served.

 

Handbell Ringers Concert: SouthCoast Ringers

Price: FREE

Location: Cherry and Webb Gallery, 139 South Main St.

Saturday, May 5, 1 to 2 p.m.

The SouthCoast Ringers will perform a medley of popular tunes with handbells, featuring both local and group compositions. Special for ArtWeek, at the concert’s conclusion, the audience will have the opportunity to ring a variety of the bells for themselves. What better way to ring in May?