Nouveau Flamenco Guitarist Benise Presents The Spanish Guitar

If you don't know Roni Benise's name or his music, check him out on YouTube.
This electrifying artist of Midwestern and Czech stock plays Spanish-style instrumental guitar music with passion and fire. His highly acclaimed compositions, which fuse Latin-flavored rhythms such as flamenco, salsa, tango and samba with an undercurrent of African tribal rhythms and the thrusting power of rock, are deeply emotive and intensely intricate works.

His many fans became familiar with Benise (pronounced Buh-ness-see) through his Emmy Award winning PBS production "Nights of Fire" in which his world-class band, orchestra and wonderfully choreographed dance group, The Gitanas, set many a heart on fire. Critics aptly dubbed the dazzling work as "The Latin Riverdance" and "The Prince of Latin Guitar" forever casting his sultry image in stone.

"I wanted to push the boundaries of traditional flamenco/Spanish guitar while combining the elements of dance and theater," the artist says.

Now he launches his all new work, "The Spanish Guitar" together with his band and dancers, The Gitanas, with a stop at the Spencer Theater on Monday, October 11 at 7 p.m. The production is to have a similar flavor to his "Nights of Fire" work, but with a story line that features his guitar as the protagonist; a magical instrument that's the keeper of stories through times and world's gone by. The guitar, which was crafted by a gypsy, has the power to transport Benise to the far ends of the earth and also through time on his passionate quest for lost love. The enchanted Spanish Guitar becomes a treasure chest of inspiration and propels Benise into his roll as troubadour for the ages. His masterful playing speaks for anyone who has ever lost something dear. Brilliantly choreographed dance numbers and musical pieces accompany the artist's quest through the cobblestone streets of Old Havana, the Arabian Desert, the canals of Venice, a bullring in Spain, a Paris Cafe and an ancient, sacred Buddhist temple in India.

Benise is a native of Nebraska who started his career playing rock in Los Angeles, but made the switch to his signature Spanish style a few years later after hearing nouveau flamenco on the radio. He immediately set about mastering the style and started with street performances in L.A. In time, he added the vibrant theatrical elements of costuming, dancers and sets to his music and made his massive mark on PBS audiences throughout the country. Today, he is filling concert halls around the world -- as he no doubt will at the Spencer October 11. Don't miss out on this nouveau Flamenco music and dance extravaganza! Excellent seats are available for $69 and $66. Call the Spencer Theater Box Office at 575.336.4800 or go online to www.spencertheater.com for tickets and information.

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