The
annual Feria de Sevilla in Philadelphia will showcase Spain’s flamenco
dance, music, art and food over two days for over 1500 Philadelphians
of all ages and backgrounds.
The concept for the original Feria de Sevilla began in 1842, after a
hurricane destroyed much of Sevilla, Spain. The natural disaster came
at a time when the spirits of the Sevillan people were already down, due
to economic difficulty brought on by the French invasion. To help raises
everyone’s spirits, two civic leaders petitioned the main authority
of the town to reestablish the April Fair, a celebration that was originally
introduced by Alfonso X, El Sabio. In 1847 the new fair was approved by
Queen Isabel II and began as a commercial animal exchange that took place
in the casetas or tents that lined the streets. Over the years, the people
of Sevilla transformed the celebration into what it is today – one
of Spain’s most extraordinary cultural celebrations that expresses
the joy of the Sevillan people through vivacious color, music, dance,
food and wine.
After sold out success with its debut in Philadelphia last year, Raíces
Culturales Latinoamericanas and International House Philadelphia will
bring the colors, sounds and flavors of the Feria de Sevilla en Philadelphia
to the Delaware Valley for the second time, this year extended to two
days, encouraging revelers to “make it a weekend!” on Saturday,
May 7 and Sunday, May 8, 2005. Saturday evening will feature performances
by Philadelphia’s own Flamenco del Encuentro and Pasión y
Arte who will explore where the art of flamenco has been and where it
is going from 8-10pm, followed by Sunday’s 3-8pm re-creation of
the traditional Spanish fair, Feria de Sevilla, with flamenco dance, castanet
and guitar workshops with local troupes, arts and crafts for kids, tapas,
Iberian fixed price menu by Café Habana, flamenco photo exhibit,
and a special performance at 7pm by Edwin Aparicio and Company with guest
artist Carmela Greco. Saturday’s performances take place at the
Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut Street. Sunday’s
event takes place at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street.
SATURDAY, MAY 7 PERFORMANCES:
One major added component to this year’s Feria will be a second
evening of performances by Philadelphia’s own Flamenco del Encuentro,
with guest artist Antonio Hidalgo, and Pasión y Arte on Saturday,
May 7. The night will be an innovative, passionate exploration of the
“past, present and future of flamenco” held in the Zellerbach
Theatre of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The evening kicks
off with a complimentary pre-show on the plaza’s outdoor stage by
Philadelphia’s Fiesta Flamenco Dancers from 6-7pm, complete with
live guitar and traditional costumes, followed by the performance from
8-10pm.
The night of performances is certain to delight all with a passion for
the arts, dance, and flamenco, as it will be an exploration of where flamenco
came from and where it is going. Lead by Tito and Anna Rubio,with collaboration
of master Middle-Eastern musicians Roger Mgrdichian and Joseph Tayoun
and guest artist Antonio Hidalgo, Flamenco del Encuentro will present
The Herencia Arabe Project. Combining traditional Flamenco and Middle
Eastern rhythms, modern compositions and choreography that highlights
and celebrates Southern Spain’s shared routes with the Middle East
and Eastern Mediterranean, the troupe will represent the past and present
of the flamenco art form. Pasión y Arte, lead by artistic director
Elba Hevia y Vaca, will delve into the present and future of the craft
with the premiere of La Luna de Par en Par (The Moon Wide Open) Part II
by exploring the female psyche through the experience of dance and pushing
the boundaries of traditional flamenco tradition by incorporating different
musical genres, cross disciplinary choreography, non-traditional costumes
and visual landscape elements. Both groups will perform with live musical
accompaniment.
SUNDAY, MAY 8 FERIA DE SEVILLA:
This year, Philadelphians and people from New York City to Washington,
D.C. can “make it a flamenco weekend!” as Raices Culturales
Latinoamericanas and International House Philadelphia present a second
day of festivities on Sunday, May 8 from 3pm – 8pm! International
House will recreate a Spanish public square, by adorning its outdoor terrace
and indoor galleria with authentic and colorful décor, where a
myriad of activities for the entire family will be presented in unison.
Adding to the festive mood, attendees are invited to wear Spanish style
costumes, perhaps with combs and mantillas on their heads, colorful vests,
Cordobés hats and high-heeled boots as they participate in the
afternoon and evening’s activities (costumes are optional).
Throughout the evening, flamenco dance, guitar and castanet workshops
and fun children’s activities, including arts and crafts workshops,
will be presented in traditional casetas (Spanish style tents) by Philadelphia’s
own Fiesta Flamenco, Flamenco Olé, Flamenco del Encuentro, and
Pasión y Arte. In casetas, festival-goers can sample delicious
tapas and traditional drinks like sangria provided by Casa de Madrid,
Café de Natali, and Isla Verde restaurants. A special fixed price
Iberian menu will be provided by Café Habana, featuring such mouth-watering
options as Sopa de Gaspacho, Ensalada a la Malageña, Paella Valenciana,
Pierna de Cordero and Tarta de Satiago.
At 7pm attendees can attend a special performance titled Intimo –
An evening of Flamenco with Edwin Aparicio and Company with guest artist
Carmela Greco in International House’s theater.
Saturday, May 7 $24-$33 (member, student & senior pricing available)
