¡Ole! A Touch of Andalucia Comes to New York
A few years ago, while I was on an extended vacation in Spain, I fell in love. It was late, I was in a bar on my second glass of wine. No, it wasn’t a Spanish bullfighter that I fell in love with, but rather, flamenco.
Everything about flamenco is completely and delightfully unexpected. My fellow bar patrons moved a few tables out of the way and the place lit up with energy as hands started clapping, guitars strumming, and feet stomping while a flamenco dancer and her musicians gave an impromptu performance. There was something about the way the dance and rhythm, though not choreographed, fit together in a beautifully fluid way.
New York’s 2008 Flamenco Festival begins today, February 8th and runs through February 24th. The festival will feature flamenco greats such as dancers Merche Esmeralda, Eva Yerbabuena, and Rocío Molina; vocal giants Carmen Linares and Miguel Poveda; guitar maestros Tomatito and Juan Carlos Romero; and the Latin Grammy-nominated group Son de la Frontera. A variety of flamenco styles will be presented from flamenco puro to innovative new works.
Here is a highlight of events taking place around town:
Carmen Linares · Miguel Poveda · Juan Carlos Romero · Pastora Galván | Friday, Feb 8, 8pm Two of flamenco’s leading singers, Carmen Linares and Miguel Poveda, and newcomer Pastora Galván share the stage with Latin Grammy nominee guitarist Miguel Povedain in a performance that will feature flamenco puro as well as contemporary flamenco. Town Hall (map) $35-$55
Tomatito | Saturday, Feb 9, 8pm The New York Times called him “one of the greatest living flamenco guitarists.” Master of compás, solo Gypsy guitarist Tomatito brings his style to Town Hall. (map) $35-$55
Gala Flamenca: Mujeres Merche Esmeralda · Rocío Molina · Belén Maya ·
Special Guest Diana Navarro | Friday, Feb 15, 7:30pm This all-star gala, featuring three generations of dancers, is dedicated to the women of flamenco. New York City Center (map) $30-$85
Ballet Flamenco Eva Yerbabuena | Saturday, Feb 16, 8pm and Sunday, Feb 17, 7pm Being a major force in flamenco, Eva Yerbabuena returns to the festival after appearances in 2002 and 2005. In this show, Yerbabuena will reprise flamenco choreographies performed by her company since its debut in 1998. New York City Center (map) $30-$75
Son de la Frontera | Saturday, Feb 23, 8pm and Sunday, Feb 24, 7pm Latin Grammy Nominee Son de la Frontera will bring their flamenco ensemble to the NYU Skirball Center (map) $35, $45
For more information on the 2008 New York Flamenco Festival and to purchase tickets, visit World Music Institute and Flamenco Festival online.
Photo credit: flickr
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[...] forget that the foot-stomping, hand-clapping, guitar-strumming good time that is Flamenco Week ends this weekend in New York City. Though unaffiliated with Flamenco Week, the [...]