Fall for Flamenco Festival

At a press conference in Halifax today, festival director Maria Osende told the media that this year's event is the most ambitious yet. «Performances, free concerts, master classes, workshops and specially themed events…there is something here for everyone.»

The highlight of this year's festival is a performance by world-renowned dancer Rafael Campallo on Tuesday, October 27 at the city's historic Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. Campallo, who is from the flamenco capital of Seville, will be accompanied by fellow dancer Maria Moreno and guitarist Juan Campallo. «Halifax is only one of two stops on his North American tour,» said Osende. «We are very fortunate to have a dancer of his magnitude perform in Halifax.»

Local favourites Maria Osende Flamenco Company and El Viento Flamenco will also both be appearing at the signature event, which is scheduled for 8pm.

Other happenings taking place over the ten-day long festivities include an opening concert Flamenco Con Fusion at the North End Church – featuring Kinan Asmeh, Dinuk Wijeratne, Alex Conde and others and accompanied by Osende and her Flamenco Company – a Flamenco Beauty and Passion soiree at FRED Salon on Agricola Street, free concerts at various library locations around HRM and an hour-long Flamenco Fitness class at the Interlude Spa at the Marriot Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax.

Those wishing to try their hand – or feet – at the traditional Spanish art form are welcome to enrol in one of the festival's many initiation workshops for dance, guitar and voice.

Master Classes will also be held with some of the festival's special guest performers, including Rafael Campallo, Juan Campallo, Antonio Montiel, Javier Rivera and Maria Moreno.

Osende added that two preview events will be taking place leading into the festival, including the triumphant return of celebrated flamenco guitarist Juan Martin at St. Matthew's Church on October 8, as well as a performance by Osende at a flamenco-themed exhibition by local painter Zehava Power during the Nocturne event on October 17.

«Halifax is one of the Flamenco hot-spots in Canada,» said Osende. «Last year we had thousand of people enjoy the festival, many of them from across the region, the country and even some from other parts of the world. This has truly become one of Atlantic Canada's premier annual events and we are very proud to bring the soul of Spain to the heart of Halifax.»

For more information on the festival, including dates, times, locations and ticket prices, please visit www.flamencofestival.ca

Tickets for our main event on October 27 are now available and can be purchased through the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office (6101 University Ave, phone 1-800-874-1669, online http://artscentre.dal.ca/)  or through Flamenco Festival Atlantic (phone 902-492-8878, online http://www.flamencofestival.ca/rafael-campallo.shtml ).