Siempre Flamenco’s Festival of Flamenco Song, now in its sixth year, and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, celebrating its fifth anniversary season, join forces to present the VI Festival of Flamenco Song in Miami, CAFÉ CANTANTE from February 18-19, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. A new addition to the highly-anticipated annual Flamenco Festival Miami, CAFÉ CANTANTE will feature master flamenco singers and rising young stars directly from Spain accompanied by authentic flamenco dance performed by Siempre Flamenco Company. The deep emotions that emanate from flamenco song unite with the intricate fury of dance in a unique performance that will exhilarate audiences with an up-close experience in the Carnival Studio Theater (in the Ziff Ballet Opera House) at the Adrienne Arsht Center.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.
The soulful, gripping sounds of cante flamenco – traditional flamenco song — are believed to have evolved from the cries and sufferings of a persecuted people when, after the Spanish Inquisition, the Moors, Gypsies and Jews were banned from Spain. This festival, a celebration of cante, brings to South Florida audiences a unique opportunity to enjoy an art form that is seldom heard outside of Spain.
Siempre Flamenco is led by Paco and Celia Fonta. Paco Fonta is a highly-accomplished and sought-after flamenco singer and guitarist. Together with his wife, dancer Celia Fonta, they have performed all over Florida and the United States and are well known in Miami for creating and producing outstanding flamenco presentations.
This year’s festival features living legend Luis Vargas along with Macarena de Jerez and Gabriel de la Tomasa, both rising young stars in Spain. Vargas is originally from Algeciras (Spain) and has resided in New York for the past fifty years. An octogenarian, he continues to sing and is one of the few artists left from his generation. Macarena de Jerez is a dancer and singer who excels at the bulerias style of flamenco, which comes from her home town of Jerez de la Frontera. Gabriel de la Tomasa is the son of one of Spain’s most admired and respected singers, Jose de la Tomasa. He is quickly gaining recognition for his dedication to preserving the traditional songs he has learned from his father and for the passion with which he interprets the Cante Jondo, the deepest and most difficult of the flamenco styles.
Siempre Flamenco’s musical director Paco Fonta, and guest guitarist, Jose Cortes Panzekito, will provide Flamenco guitar accompaniment. Celia Fonta and Siempre Flamenco Company will round out the festival lineup with the beautiful choreography audiences have come to expect from the company.
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Several educational events will compliment this year’s festival. The Festival will open on Thursday, February 17 at the Centro Cultural Español with a Flamenco Lecture and Movie. Writer and journalist Estela Zatania will give a conference titled “A Half-Century of Flamenco, 1960-2010” about the evolution of the art-form. The talk, to be given in Spanish and English, will include a slide presentation, and be followed by a showing of the classic 1952 film “Duende y Misterio del Flamenco”, directed by Edgar Neville. This richly illustrated lecture provides an opportunity to learn valuable information about flamenco, the artists, the music, and the gypsy culture of Spain. Originally from New York City, Estela has won numerous awards for her flamenco writing. She has been living in Spain since 1970.
Thursday, February 17, 7-10 pm
Movie and Lecture
Centro Cultural Español
800 Douglas Road, Suite 170
Coral Gables, FL 33134
FREE ADMISSION ($10.00 donation suggested)
Bulerias Dance Master Class by Macarena de Jerez
Saturday, February 19, 2:30 – 4 PM
Peacock Foundation Studio in the Ziff Ballet Opera House
Ages 16 and up – Intermediate level and above
Come dressed to move, Flamenco shoes required, Flamenco or ankle-length skirts for ladies
$25.00
Please call 786.468.2270 to reserve a space.
Cante Master Class by Gabriel de la Tomasa
Saturday, February 19, 2011
1:30 – 2:45 PM
Peacock Education Center in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
$20.00
Please call 786.468.2270 to reserve a space.
Introduction to Flamenco Guitar by Paco Fonta
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
7 – 8:15 pm
Peacock Education Center in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall
FREE ADMISSION
Please call 786.468.2270 to reserve a space.
Siempre Flamenco is a not-for profit 501(c3) arts organization