Pasion Flamenca To Perform Special NYC Engagement at SoHo Theater

Pasión Flamenca  performs a special New York City engagement at Joyce SoHo Theater, 155 Mercer Street (between Houston and Prince) October 16th – 19th, 2008.  Presented by The New York Center For Flamenco Performing Arts/ArtsFlamenco, the acclaimed company will be presenting 2 pieces: "Tributes," and "Estampas Flamencas" with choreography by Antonio Hidalgo & Jorge Navarro; music by Pedro Cortés; cinematography by Ben Wolf and costume design by Antonio Hidalgo.  The opening night is a gala benefit with cocktails & hors d'ouerves at 6:30 pm; show at 8:00 pm followed by an after party with door prizes for $75.  Tickets are now on sale.     

 "Tributes" is a selection of numbers from earlier homage performances, including a scene from "Flamenclorico: Lore of the Miners" (a tribute to the miners of Andalucía) and "Un Ultima Gota de Agua" (a tribute to the Flamenco dancers who died from AIDS).  This latter piece is a dance-and-cinematography experience unusual to Flamenco.  Rarely – if ever – has cinematography played a key element in a Flamenco performance.   While the first part of the program represents the new era of Flamenco, the 2nd part ("Estampas Flamencas") symbolizes its past.  "Tributes" takes the audience on an evolutionary journey - a reverse chronology of Flamenco - featuring first the emerging form of Flamenco as contemporary dance, then back to Flamenco's inception as provincial folk art.  This assemblage of forms fulfills Pasión Flamenca's mission: to preserve the traditions of Flamenco while also evolving Flamenco as an art form.

Jorge Navarro, Artistic Director debuted at Carnegie Hall at age 17. He toured the U.S. and South America with Maria Alba and has performed at Madison Square Garden (Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, and Julio Iglesias), Kennedy Center, and BAM.  He appeared on "Good Morning America", "As the World Turns", Galavision, and "Today New York" (CNBC) as an invited guest of Joaquin Cortés.  He also shared the stage with Rita Moreno and The Gipsy Kings on PBS.  He was the choreography consultant to Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino for the film, "Devil's Advocate."

Antonio Hidalgo, Choreography Director began his career at 17 in the flamenco festivals of his native Córdoba, Spain. He toured with the Spanish Ballet of Carmen Mota throughout Europe, South America, and the U.S. 1990 began his solo career. He has since directed and choreographed several flamenco productions including "Carmen" for the company of Antonio Gades. He also performed with the Gades, José Greco, and María Benitez' Estampa Flamenca companies. With his own company, he toured Europe, Russia, and Asia. He has choreographed and danced lead for Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo. In 2007, he was awarded Spain's "Premio Andaluz" for artistic achievement.

Pedro Cortes, Music Director, hails from a family of Spanish Gypsy guitarists and learned guitar from his father and the esteemed Sabicas.  He gained international recognition as a soloist and composer, whose works have premiered at the Teatro Albeniz in Madrid and at The Joyce Theater.  Since 17, he tour with Jose Greco and Maria Benitez.  He also performed with Farrucita, La Tati, Merche Esmeralda, Manolete and the late Lola Flores.  Cortés has appeared as guest artist with opera and theatre companies and is the author of two books.  He is the founder and director of his own company, Flamenco de Hoy.

The New York Center for Flamenco Performing Arts/ArtsFlamenco works to: preserve the traditions of flamenco, while also evolving flamenco as an art form; be a centralized resource that promotes flamenco music, dance and culture; foster an intelligent appreciation for the flamenco art form through education and performance; provide performance opportunities for flamenco artists while also making flamenco accessible and affordable to all audiences. ArtsFlamenco accomplishes its mission through: Arts-In-Education Programs (offering teaching artist residencies, teacher professional development programs, educational flamenco demonstrations and performances, and flamenco dance instruction workshops).  Flamenco Dance Instruction (teaching weekly regularly scheduled classes for adult beginners with workshops held during the summer months in NYC, Long Island and Washington, DC). Alegrías en La Nacional Flamenco Theater  (a weekend venue featuring local and International Artists in an intimate, tablao atmosphere).  Pasión Flamenca, The Dance Company (artists-in-residence, is a touring dance company performing traditional and fusionist compositions and choreodramatic works).  For more information please visit http://artsflamenco.org.

Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.  Regular tickets are only $25 and $22 for seniors/students.  The Joyce SoHo Box Office opens approximately 7:30 p.m. for the performances. Joyce information at www.joyce.org.

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