A question and answer with Johnny Martinez and Diane Lachtrupp of Tango Fusion Dance Company

Question: How long have you two been dancing together?

Johnny Martinez: Since 1995, so almost 13 years.

Q: What exactly is the Tango Fusion Dance Company?

Martinez: Our mission is to present tango as well as other ballroom dances and ballet as one, fusing them together into one production. Historically they are kept separate and very rarely used together. Tango Fusion was Diane’s idea.

Lachtrupp: Tango Fusion’s purpose is to bring dance to other people. I believe everyone can dance. I’ve always been a choreographer and wanted to produce shows. I love to mix my dances together. My favorite dance is the Argentine Tango, but I like to incorporate ballet, jazz, swing and other Latin dances.

Q: Where did the name come from?

Lachtrupp: Tango Fusion was the name of one our shows that we did in New York City, which got good reviews from the New York Times.

Q: What would someone learn from Tango Fusion?

Martinez: To see a show, it is more theatrical than a straight production. I think people will be surprised how well all the genres blend.

Lachtrupp: Tango Fusion is not just pure dance; there is a lot of theater in it and a storyline. Another good thing people get from Tango Fusion is stage experience.

Q: When did Tango Fusion come to the Spa City?

Martinez: We moved here three years ago from New York City.

Q: Why did you choose Saratoga when relocating?

Martinez: We wanted to leave the city because of our two boys. We picked Saratoga because there was an active dance community here. Diane is close to her family and it is a really nice town.

Lachtrupp: We also teach at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio and they are a sponsor of Tango Fusion.

Q: Did you take part in the Dance Flurry Festival two weeks ago?

Martinez: Yes, we’ve been doing the Dance Flurry for years. It’s a great experience. We performed at the National Dance Museum and taught classes.

Q: Does Tango Fusion perform often?

Martinez: We normally have a spring session and one big show in town. We do three or four performances a year, but it keeps getting bigger.

Q: How many people participate in Tango Fusion?

Martinez: Generally we have 10 people, but this year we have a few alternates, which is fun.

Q: How does someone get involved in Tango Fusion?

Lachtrupp: Every dancer comes in with experience in one genre of dance. They might be a professional in swing, ballet or tango. Some people are broadening their horizons in dance, but I want them to appreciate the different dances we use and expose them to different choreography.

Martinez: We hold auditions in the fall. People can get more information on our Web site, www.tangofusiondance.com.

Q: What are some benefits of dancing?

Lachtrupp: There are so many benefits. Obviously exercise. Dancing hits so many body parts. It is also exercise for the soul. Being able to express yourself to another person feeds the soul. And it keeps you young. More of the mature dancers at the Arthur Murray Dance studio are in fabulous shape because of dancing. Dancing is exercise for the mind too. Plus it is relaxing and a stress reliever.

Q: With movies like ‘Take the Lead’ and shows like ‘Dancing with the Stars’, do you find dancing is becoming more mainstream?

Martinez: They have brought ballroom dancing into the mainstream. Ballroom has always been there, but now I think it is surging. There are so many opportunities to see ballroom dancing.

Q: What are some of Tango Fusion’s upcoming events?

Lachtrupp: We have an open house at the Arthur Murray Dance studio on Wednesday, March 13, where we will be teaching a complimentary Argentine Tango class. On Saturday, March 15 we have a Tango Party at the studio and Tango Fusion’s spring show called Nocturna is going to be on May 3 and 4 at the Music Hall in Saratoga Springs. In May we will also be performing at the Charles Wood theatre in Glens Falls and we are participating in SaratogaArtsFest in June.

Q: Wow, you guys are keeping yourselves busy. What is the next step for Tango Fusion?

Lachtrupp: We are having the first Milonga Intimos at the studio too. It is really a night out that has dancing and a show. We would like to tour during the summer months at some point and are looking to expand, by adding a producer.

For more information call the Arthur Murray Dance Studio at 691-0432 or go to, www.arthurmurraysaratoga.com.