The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County proudly announces South Florida’s highly-anticipated annual FLAMENCO FESTIVAL MIAMI 2012, now in its fifth consecutive year, March 9–11, 2012, in the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House as part of the DANCE AT THE ARSHT season. The three-day festival, ESTRELLAS DEL FLAMENCO – DANCING TO LORCA, FEATURING CARMEN CORTÉS, RAFAELA CARRASCO, and OLGA PERICET, will showcase three of Spain’s greatest flamenco divas in a thrilling repertory of original pieces alongside works honoring the great 20th century Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, in commemoration of the 75thanniversary of his death. The program will feature a unique artistic collaboration by the three world-renowned flamenco dancer-choreographers who will share the stage in a mesmerizing display of dazzling technique and dramatic choreography. In a spectacular Miami premiere, these international flamenco superstars will be accompanied by an ensemble of 15 dancers and musicians, direct from Spain, for a virtuosic dance display that explores the full spectrum of flamenco — ranging from the gypsy roots of traditional flamenco to trailblazing contemporary innovations that push the boundaries of this hallowed genre with striking originality and intrigue.
TICKETS
Tickets start at $25 and may be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org. Tickets go on sale to Arsht Center members on January 9, and to the public on January 16.
“The drama and passion of flamenco will stir the senses of the South Florida community in the Ziff Ballet Opera House this March as we celebrate our fifth annual Flamenco Festival, which has quickly become one of the most popular performing arts events on the South Florida cultural scene,” said M. John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “Festival audiences can expect four spectacular tour-de-force performances, once again showcasing Spain’s dynamic artistic tradition, in a special homage to the extraordinary Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.”
CARMEN CORTÉS, the electrifying gypsy dancer celebrated for her performances of flamenco puro, is renowned throughout the world for her sensuous and passionate style. She is the first dancer to choreograph a granaina, a flamenco palo (style) with free rhythm. Acclaimed as one of the greatest flamenco dancers of our time, CORTÉS imparts to flamenco the essence of a ritual and sacred dance. The powerful bailaora is renowned for combining complete control with irrepressible explosions of energy, as well as her sparky, passionate rhythms with smouldering movements. She has been noted for her productions of La Puerta del Silencio and Celestina, as well as Salome, the first flamenco version of the Oscar Wilde work. CORTÉS will offer Miami audiences a rousing performance of her solea, Son Eterno, as well as present new works in her own unique style and outlook, including an original granaina.
RAFAELA CARRASCO’S approach to flamenco dance can be summed up by the title of her piece Fuera de los límites (Beyond Limits), created with dancer Belen Maya. Born in Seville, CARRASCO is one of the most important flamenco dancers of the younger generation, and a revolutionary creator of cutting-edge flamenco choreography. The award-winning flamenco diva is an elegant, refined, yet gutsy dancer whose innovative choreography is at the forefront of flamenco in the 21st century and beyond. CARRASCO’s expressive footwork and nuanced movement are all aspects signature to her innovative style.
OLGA PERICET is a diminutive, yet powerful young dancer who has created a sensation in flamenco circles in recent years. The Córdoba-born bailaora won the 2010 Revelation Prize at the Festival de Jerez for her work, Bailes alegres para personas tristes (Happy Dances for Sad People), also created with Belén Maya, as well as the prestigious First Prize for Choreography and Music at the Spanish Dance and Flamenco Contest of Madrid and the Villa de Madrid Award for Best Dance Performer. The multi-faceted PERICET takes a step forward and delves deeper into the marks of identity which have branded her career: demanding technique, stunning versatility, and jaw-dropping athleticism, showcasing her phenomenal artistry with a blend of contemporary dance and traditional flamenco.
The opening night performance of ESTRELLAS DEL FLAMENCO – DANCING TO LORCA, FEATURING CARMEN CORTÉS, RAFAELA CARRASCO, and OLGA PERICET on March 9 is presented as part of the John S. and James L. Knight Masterworks Season, Sanford and Beatrice Ziff Dance Series.