Local audiences on Friday and Saturday evenings marked a first annual event and a 60th, thereby celebrating a newly sought tradition, a Tango Sensations concert as part of a so-called Zero Hour Tango Fest, and a well established one, the Singing Hoosiers’ annual spring extravaganza.

The new

The two-day Zero Hour Tango Fest included a discussion entitled “Talking Tango, Eating Tapas,” a music/song/dance workshop, an Argentine tango dinner, visual art exhibits, and a social dance event, along with two performances of the above-mentioned Tango Sensations concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater on Friday and Saturday evenings. This reviewer attended the Friday presentation.

It was an eyes and ears opener.

Zero hour signifies midnight in Buenos Aires. In Bloomington, it and the concert came along at 8 p.m. No matter: thanks to atmosphere-setting visuals and some remarkably gifted musical artists, the appropriate mood was not only set but compellingly sustained.

Yes, of course, there was music of Astor Piazzolla but also from lesser known contributors to the tradition, like Agustin Bardi and Eladia Blaszquez, whose melodies and ability to create dramatic tension proved equally riveting.

There was dancing, provocative and graceful, contributed by Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo, who also choreographed what they so fervently performed.

There was Grammy nominee Sandra Luna, with a voice both dig-down earthy and soaring, capable of tearing at the heart in songs about troubled love and longings. There was a well-tuned instrumental combo, the Tangamente Ensemble, centered by pianist Alfredo Minetti, artistic director of the whole festival.

And there was the Pablo Ziegler Quartet: Ziegler, the amazing pianist, composer, and arranger here to share his music, along with Jisoo Ok, a remarkable cellist both technically and interpretively; Hector Del Curto, playing that concertina-like instrument called the bandoneon with warmth and agility, and Pedro Giraudo grounding their rhapsodies and riffs on the double bass.

Tango Sensations amounted to an evening of intriguing musical textures, attitude, mystery and those captivating rhythms that propel the tango. The quality exhibited leads one to hope that it and the surrounding Zero Hour Fest, indeed, turn into a tradition.