VI FESTIVAL OF CANTE FLAMENCO IN MIAMI

The “Siempre Flamenco” non-profit company joins the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Flamenco Festival Miami 2011 to present this event that follows the classic Spanish model of festivals “as a way of helping to preserve, maintain and pass down this art form to future generations, and celebrate the cultural heritage of flamenco song and dance”. Master flamenco singers and promising young stars directly from Spain will be highlighted, as well as flamenco dance with the Siempre Flamenco Company.

Several parallel activities will compliment this year’s program.  The Festival will open on Thursday, February 17 at the Centro Cultural Español with a Flamenco Lecture and Movie.  Specialized writer and journalist Estela Zatania will give an overview of the dramatic evolution of flamenco over the past fifty years, with a conference titled “A Half-Century of Flamenco, 1960-2010”.  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.

This year’s festival features Macarena de Jerez and Gabriel de la Tomasa, both rising young stars in Spain, along with veteran singer Luis Vargas, originally from Algeciras, Spain, although he has been residing in the U.S. for the past fifty years.  At 80 plus, he is one of the few artists of his generation still professionally active.  Macarena de Jerez is a singer and dancer with a wide repertoire who particularly excels in bulerias as is to be expected from a Jerez native.  Gabriel de la Tomasa is the son of one of Spain’s most admired and respected singers, José de la Tomasa, and is dedicated to preserving the traditional cante he has learned from his father since childhood.  Flamenco guitar accompaniment will be provided by Paco Fonta and José Cortés “Panzekito“, son of the famous singer.  Flamenco dancing by Celia Fonta and the Siempre Flamenco Company will round out this portion of the festival line-up.

On Saturday afternoon, a master class of cante flamenco will be given by Gabriel de la Tomasa, as well as a bulerias dance workshop by Macarena de Jerez, and a special introductory class of flamenco guitar for guitarists will be offered on Tuesday, Februrary 22nd.

The thrilling highlight of the Flamenco Festival Miami 2011 is Spain’s pre-eminent dance company, the Ballet Nacional de España, who finish up the event with five performances at the Adrienne Arsht Sanford and Dolores Ziff Opera House February 23rd-26th.

PROGRAM

Thursday, February 17th 7-10pm
“Duende y Misterio del Flamenco” full-length film and
Conference by Estela Zatania “A Half-Century of Flamenco, 1960-2010”
Free admission ($10.00 suggested donation)
Centro Cultural Español 800 Douglas Road Suite 170, Coral Gables

Friday and Satuday, February 18 and 19, 8pm
Café Cantante:
Luis Vargas, Macarena de Jerez, Gabriel de la Tomasa
Adrianne Arsht Studio Theater
$35.00 General Admission