The New Year Brings Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company to New Heights and New Audience

Following on the heels of Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company's (EESDC) 30th anniversary year where its production Aguas/Waters was named one of the top five dance shows of 2012 by NOW Magazine, the early months of 2013 are full of excitement and possibility for Esmeralda and the company, which brings the finest flamenco and Spanish Classical Dance to Toronto stages.

Here is what lies ahead:

March 9-13, 2013 - Choreographic Residency
It has been a long time dream for EESDC to bring a Spanish master artist to create a choreographic residency in Toronto. Manuel Betanzos, one of Spain's most beloved choreographers and directors, will come to Toronto to lead dance workshops with an attentive eye to personal choreography. A further happy outcome of this rare opportunity will be the creation of a new work for the company that opens the Toronto Season: Portales, April 25-28.

Workshops will be held from March 9-13 at the Academy of Spanish Dance at 401 Richmond Street W., Suite B104. For full details call 416-595-5753 or visit www.flamencos.net

March 20-24, 2013 - A Night in Madrid
Company dancers Esmeralda Enrique and Paloma Cortés perform Spanish Classical dance with the celebrated Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir for A Night in Madrid featuring the Iberian flavoured music of composer Luigi Boccherini who made his home in Spain. His work is infused with the sounds of Spanish and gypsy folk music.

March 20-24 at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1X7. Performance times: Wed at 7pm; Thurs-Sat at 8pm; Sun at 3:30pm. For tickets and info visit tafelmusik.org

April 25-28, 2013 - Annual Toronto Season - World Premiere of Portales
The award-winning Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company never fails to mesmerize while delivering the contagious excitement and full breadth of feelings that flamenco expresses through dance, music and song. Canadian and Spanish dancers and musicians collaborate to create a new world premiere production.

PORTALES - Flamenco opens the door to the most noble of human possibilitiesŠthe ability to dream. Choreography by: Esmeralda Enrique, El Junco, Juan Ogalla and flamenco master Manuel Betanzos Company Artists: Esmeralda Enrique (dancer), Pamela Briz (dancer), Paloma Cortés (dancer) Chris Church (violin), El Junco (dancer; from Jerez, Spain) Nicolás Hernández (guitar), Noelia La Morocha (dancer), Oscar Lago (guitar; from Cádiz, Spain), Dora Award-winning Juan Ogalla (dancer; from Cádiz, Spain), Naike Ponce (singer; from Sanlúcar, Spain), Manuel Soto (singer; from Jerez, Spain)

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company presents the world premiere of
PORTALES
Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West, 3rd Floor
Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps Dance Series
April 25-28; Performances Thurs-Sat at 8PM; Sunday 3PM
Tickets: $25-$43 ($21.50-$28.50 students, seniors)
Box Office: 416-973-4000 or www.flamencos.net