Theatre Flamenco to Welcome Andres Marin to the Cowell, 11/20-22

Now in its 49th year, Theatre Flamenco is proud to announce the return of Spanish flamenco superstar Andrés Marín in the North American premiere of Ad Libitum: Or how I freed myself from my chains. Choreographed and directed by Marín, Ad Libitum features Theatre Flamenco Artistic Director Carola Zertuche and frequent Theatre Flamenco guest dancer Cristina Hall. Featured musical guests from Spain include singer José Valencia, guitarist Salvador Gutiérrez and percusionist Daniel Suarez. Ad Libitum is a tour de force of contemporary flamenco performed by several of the most significant living practitioners of the art. Ad Libitum runs for three nights only at the Cowell Theater at Fort Mason Center, November 20 - 22, 2015. Shows on Friday and Saturday start at 8:00 pm, and on Sunday at 3:00 pm. Tickets range from $40 to $75 and may be purchased online at fortmason.org/boxoffice.

He's been called "the greatest flamenco dancer of his generation" (L'Express), the "Picasso of Flamenco" and "the original flamenco freedom fighter" (Dutch Flamenco Biennial): Andrés Marín is an artist whose reputation is currently soaring across Europe after a bumpy start in his home country of Spain. "Marín's story is one of early professional rejection in Spain," explains Zertuche. "As a young dancer in Seville, he was

considered irreverent, a radical, too avant-garde. It was only after he began to travel in France and throughout Northern Europe, where he received a very warm reception, that his compatriots in Spain began to reappraise him with new eyes." Today Marín can boast two Giraldillo prizes from the Seville Bienal de Flamenco, and in one year the title of "Best Male Dancer" (Diario de Sevilla).

"He's been a mentor to me as well as to Cristina [Hall]," continues Zertuche. "He changed my way of dancing. He says you have to create your own style, but always respect the cante, the singing, the most important part of flamenco. And we are very lucky to have with us this fall José Valencia, currently considered the best flamenco singer in Spain."

Ad Libitum premiered as a solo for Marín in 2014 at the Théâtre Suresnes in France. However, in its presentation in San Francisco this November, Marín will adapt it for three dancers in order to perform with Zertuche and Hall. Hall, a "world class dancer" in her own right (San Francisco Magazine), was born and raised in San Francisco, but she has lived in Seville for more than 12 years. To prepare for November's concerts, Zertuche will spend one month this fall rehearsing with Marín and Hall in Seville.

Fans of flamenco will have a chance to meet Marín and all of the artists in Ad Libitum at a post-performance tapas and dance party on Saturday, November 21. The event, catered by San Francisco's popular Loló restaurant, will take place at the Firehouse at Fort Mason. Admission is $50.

For more information about Theatre Flamenco's 49th home season, visit theatreflamenco.org.