Holiday Flamenco 2016 to Bring ROMANCE DE LA LUNA to Teatro Paraguas

Teatro Paraguas presents Holiday Flamenco 2016, Mina Fajardo & Company "Romance de La Luna" on Tuesday & Wednesday, December 20 & 21, 2016. Mina Fajardo & Company made sold-out performances at Teatro Paraguas for their past six productions.

Famed singer from Spain, special guest Fernando Lirola, and the accomplished dancer and choreographer Mina Fajardo lead a talented new flamenco star ensemble in an unforgettable performance. Holiday Flamenco 2016 "Romance de la Luna" flamenco music, dance and Spanish and English poetry inspired by Federico Garcia Lorca and traditional Spanish holiday songs from Spain.

Cast: Mina Fajardo - Choreographer, Artistic Director, Playwright, Dancer), Fernando Lirola-Singer, Argos MacCallum - Actor, Alejandro Valle Fajardo - Percussionist, Cajon player, Monze Diaz - Special guest dancer, new flamenco star and Group of Navidades Flamencas: Heather Miro, Charles Brunn, Zoe Whittle, Maria Valle, Seri Kotowski, Jenna Espinoza, Carmella Scorcia, Paula & Siena Fasken, Kelly Tucker, Katie Tomarelli,

Tickets: www.BrownPaperTickets.com, 505-424-1601 @ Teatro Paraguas.

Mina Fajardo - Artistic Director, Choreographer, Playwright and Dancer Mina Valle Fajardo, "Mina" has received extensive training in flamenco, Escuela bolera, jazz, Tap and ballet. Mina has received flamenco training from El Guito, Carmera Greco, Ciro, La Tati, La China, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, Isabel Bayon, Rafaela Carrasco, Pastora Galvan, Jose Maya, Ursula Lopez, Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, Concha Vargas, Eva La Yerbabuena, Farruquito, La Lupi, Andres Marin, Joaquin Ruiz and Keiko Issiki.

She has taught in the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts, Northern New Mexico University, Santa Fe Community College, Eva Encinias Sandovals National Institute of Flamenco, Nava Elementary School, Sweeney Elementary School, The New Mexico Academy of International School, Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe Danceworks, Moving Arts Española, Maria Vazquez Flamenco Denver, The Spanish Institute of Dance in Houston, Texas, and Fazil Dance Studio & Japanese Chamber of Commerce in New York City.

Fajardo has performed in Japan, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Houston, Maryland and Albuquerque and has made several appearances on television in Manhattan, New Mexico, Japan & Spain. In Santa Fe, She has performed at the Santa Fe Opera and in the Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival at the Lensic Theatre.

She has performed with many artists including Elena Andujar, El Pripi, La Tibu, Chuscales, YiYi, Silverio Heredia, Tequila de Jerez, Omayra Amaya, Jose Cortes, Manuel Gutierrez, Kina Mendez, Juan Siddi and Keiko Isshiki.

She choreographed and performed in many productions including Flamenco Fiesta - Una Nota de Lorca (Santa Fe, 2016), Gypsy Book (Santa Fe, 2015) "Flamenco Masters" (Denver, CO 2015), "Houston Spanish & Flamenco Festival 2015" (Houston, TX 2015), Flamenco X3 (2015), "Gypsy Passion"(2014), "Flamenco Fiesta!" (2015, 2014 & 2013), "Forever in My Heart" (Santa Fe, 2013 ), "My Gypsy Soul" (Santa Fe, 2012), "Chuscales at Old Main, Boulder" (CO, 2011), "Chuscales y Mina Fajardo con Las Tres Mujeres" (Las Vegas. NM, 2010), "Chuscales Live at MIT" (Boston, 2009), Telluride Jazz Festival (Telluride, 2008), "Chuscales at Tubac" (Tubac, AZ, 2007), "Soul del Arte Tradiciones e Innovaciones" (San Francisco, 2005), "Ainadamar, Landscapes and Impression" Santa Fe Opera (2005), "A Night of Flamenco Magic Lakewood Cultural Center (Denver, CO, 2005), "Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival" (2004 & 2001), The John E. Morlow Guitar Series Flamenco Night (Chevy Chase, MD, 2004), SJC Multicultural Arts Series Flamenco (San Juan Capistrano, CA, 2003).

She appeared in films "Flamenco Passion & Soul" (1999), "El Payo" (2010), "Españoles en el mundo - Nuevo Mexico" (2013).

She currently teaches flamenco dance classes at Santa Fe Community College, Northern New Mexico College, Santa Fe Danceworks & Moving Arts Española and performs with Chuscales, Juan Siddi & Kina Mendez at Local Tablao & Theater in Santa Fe, NM. www.minafajardo.com

Fernando is the author, with Sandra González, of the theatrical text, Que venga, que venga flamenco! His book, Flamenco en las Aulas, will be used in a college course on flamenco in the fall of 2015. He is writing a second book, Why Flamenco? Both books will be available in Spanish and English, and his contributions to various periodicals is extensive.

As an invited member of the International Dance Council of UNESCO, Fernando is an active participant in the preservation of dance around the world. He attended the First International Congress of the Andalusian Institute of Flamenco and was the Director of the first international meetings of Motril Flamenco (2013). At the initial meeting of International Meeting of Folk Music Analysis, he participated in Experience in Teaching Flamenco, as well as courses in Flamenco in the Classroom. He has a solid body of work available on social media sites.

While in New Mexico as an artist in residence in 2014, Fernando led workshops at elementary and secondary schools in Santa Fe, conducted master classes in Denver and Boulder, CO, and at the University of New Mexico in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. He performed in venues In Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque, and Boulder.

Fernando is on the leading edge of integrating the tradition of flamenco with his unique understanding of its cadences and rhythms, as well as the melody inherent in the poetry of his countrymen. His innovations include use of the voice as an instrument of positive expression, in combining traditional melodies with harmonies unique to the flavors and textures of the verses, and in engaging the audience in the meaning of expressive emotions.

Fernandos work can be viewed on various social media sites. He is available to conduct classes, design curriculum, perform, and participate in panel discussions on the fascinating history of flamenco as it has evolved over the centuries.