The incomparable duo of Julio Bocca and Alessandra Ferri performing the "Carmen Pas de Deux" at American Ballet Theatre's May 2005 Gala.
Photo: Rosalie O'Connor

by Beata Loyfman

If you're traveling to northern Argentina or southern Brazil this August and you happen to be a ballet aficionado like yours truly, then you're in luck (and I'm envious). Not only will you experience fantastic sights, and steaks that'll knock your socks off, but on August 24th you'll have the chance to see the final performance of one of the world's biggest ballet superstars, Julio Bocca. The Iguazu Grand Hotel in Iguazu Falls, on the border of Brazil and Argentina, will set the stage for Bocca's final bow. Honestly, after seeing Bocca dance "Manon" in New York's Metropolitan Opera House last year, I'd probably give up ice cream and my left pinky toe for the chance to see him again en vivo.

However, if you're not that into ballet (gasp!), this is probably a good time to mention that Bocca won't be doing the classical tights-and-tutus stuff. Instead, he and a small troupe will burn up the Cafe Magic stage with the fiery Bocca Tango, a sexy tango-infused dance choreographed by Bocca's Oscar-nominated fellow Argentine, Ana Maria Stekelman. A word of advice: This ain't the Nutcracker, so unless you're OK with the kids seeing (tasteful) on-stage nudity, make it an adults-only evening.

Tickets for the show run from $95 to $238 and can be purchased by calling the hotel's sales department at 54-3757-49-8050. Die hard fans should ask Iguazu's Guest Services to arrange a personal introduction to Bocca after the show. Just don't be surprised when you have to bend down to shake his hand -- though he seems larger than life on stage, he's pretty short in person.