Tapestry

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April 17, 2008...

• Why people are drawn to the tango?
• Meet one of the five most influential composers in the U.S.
• Indie music from Birmingham band the Photonicas

Music historians argue about the exact origin of the Tango. They concede it's a melange of musical traditions, borrowing from the rhythms that African slaves beat on the drums, Indian music popular in the early 1900s, and tunes from early Spanish colonists. Although tango is now associated with glamorous women in sleek evening gowns and dashing men in tuxedos, the dance actually got its start in seedy Argentinian brothels. Women used the seductive power of tango to attract clients ... and that passion continues today in Luis Bravo's award-winning musical Forever Tango, which comes to the Alabama Theatre next weekend.

Louis Bravo interview

Luis Bravo is creator of the award-winning musical Forever Tango. Reporter Evan Roberts has the story of one woman who, like Bravo, has become obsessed with Tango.

Forever Tango takes the Alabama Theatre stage Sunday, April 27th.

What happens when the most innovative American musical thinkers pour their creative energies into stretching the limits of what's possible with an orchestra? The American Composer's Orchestra issued just that challenge to five composers - including Birmingham Southern College's Charles Norman Mason. Mason's work premiers next week in New York City and then in Philadelphia. He talks about it with WBHM's Tanya Ott...

Interview with Charles Norman Mason

What's going on around town? Activeculture.info is a one-stop source for finding out what's going on in the Birmingham metro area.

With a blending dual guitar style that's at times driving, dissonant and atonal, yet at other times melodic and dream-like, Birmingham band the Photonicas harken to the 'shoegazer' style of bands emerging from the 70's 'No Wave' era like Sonic Youth. Since 2007, the band has evolved into a cohesive unit concentrated on developing their vision of emotionally-intense indie music. Jonathan Boyd is the group's lead singer. Ryan Grayson plays guitar. (AUDIO MONTAGE)

The song is "Let It Go" from the new EP by the Photonicas. They play The Highnote in Birmingham on May 5th.

Tapestry is produced by Tanya Ott and Michael Krall with help this week from Islara Vazquez and Coleman Lipsey. Next week on the program, it's been 25 years and the Magic City Art Connection keeps going strong. I'm Greg Bass, and we'll see you next week.