La Magia del Flamenco at the Jack Guidone Theater. November 12, 2006
Furia Flamenca in Tangos. November 12, 2006 8:08pm
Last night (Sunday) I had the pleasure of attending an all-flamenco program at Joy of Motion's Jack Guidone Theater featuring Furia Flamenca, members of the Spanish Dance Society and guest artist Antonio Vargas.
I got there early enough (or so I thought) to get the best seat for taking pics. But half an hour to showtime there was already a long line waiting to get in. You'd think that with the suddenly cold weather and heavy rain, a good portion of the concertgoers would be discouraged from attending. Apparently not in this case.
I didn't really get a good look around the seating area (as I was busy quickly learning the numerous options on my friend's sophisticated digital camera) but if it wasn't sold out, it was certainly very close to it. I got a third row seat which wasn't bad since I was next to the aisle with a fairly clear view down the center of the stage, although occasionally my line of sight was blocked by the rows of people in front of me. It's OK. Kinda gives some of the pics a feel for what it's like really be there.
I didn't get around to using my camera until after the intermission so I wasn't able to show you pics from all the numbers (my apologies to the Spanish Dance Society). Here are the pics. Enjoy!
November 12, 2006 8:09pm
November 12, 2006 8:09pm
November 12, 2006 8:09pm
November 12, 2006 8:09pm
November 12, 2006 8:10pm
Torcuato Zamora, Antonio Vargas and Estela Velez. November 12, 2006 9:12pm
Antonio in Farruca. November 12, 2006 8:15pm
November 12, 2006 8:19pm
November 12, 2006 8:23pm
Fin de fiesta bulerías. November 12, 2006 8:26
November 12, 2006 8:26pm
November 12, 2006 8:28pm
November 12, 2006 8:28pm
November 12, 2006 8:30pm
November 12, 2006 8:30pm
Torcuato dances a bulería as Antonio accompanies on guitar. November 12, 2006 8:32pm
Backstage after the show...
Spanish Dance Society: Lourdes Elias and Allisa Bernstein. November 12, 2006 8:45pm
Bala Veerasawami and Lauren Raivel. November 12, 2006 8:47pm
Karina Valverde and Estela Velez. November 12, 2006 8:50pm
Antonio Vargas, Joy of Motion's executive and artistic director Douglas Yeuell and Ceci. November 12, 2006 8:50pm
Katherine Page, Estela Velez, Antonio Vargas, Aref Alvandy, Bala Veeraswami, Lauren Raivel, Sylvia Melecio, Torcuato Zamora, Daniel Paredez and Ceci. November 12, 2006 8:58pm
The program:
Alegrías del Monton (excerpt)
Choreography: Estela Velez
Music: Torcuato Zamora
Dancers: Furia Flamenca Company Members: Lillian Mattiaccio, Sylvia Melecio, Katherine Page, Estela Velez
Apprentices: Jennifer Carmichael, Karina Valverde
Farruca
Choreography: Spanish Dance Society
Dancers: Students of JOMDC Flamenco/Spanish Dance Begginer classes: Adrienne Coleman, Paula Granada, Elizabeth Leavitt, Diana Manguilli, Maria Spangenberg, Marina Vergara
Soleá por Bulerías
Choreography: Estela Velez
Music: Manuel Salado
Dancers: Students from the Summer 2006 Flamenco Performance Class: Aref Alvandy, Marina Bornolova, Theresa Brown, Jennifer Carmichael, Mark Henricksen, Lauren Raivel, Kathedrine Page, Daniel Paredez, Carla Roque-Cruz, Heidi Thibodeau, Karina Valverde
Maruja Limón (Rumba Flamenca)
Choreography: Spanish Dance Society
Dancers: Students of JOMDC Flamenco/Spanish Dance Teen Class: Emma Baker, Allisa Bernstein, Sophie De Weal, Lourdes Elias (instructor), Lilly Thomas, Kayla Quinn
Guajiras
Music: Las Guitarras de España
Dancers: Selected students from the Summer 2005 Flamenco Performance Class: Lauren Raivel, Ramona Jackson, Karina Valverde
Alegrías
Choreography: Estela Velez
Music: Torcuato Zamora
Dancer: Estela Velez
Intermission
Fandangos de Huelva
Choreography: Estela Velez
Music: Torcuato Zamora
Dancers: Furia Flamenca Company Members: Lillian Mattiaccio, Sylvia Melecio, Katherine Page, Estela Velez
Apprentices: Katie Brady, Heidi Thibodeau, Karina Valverde, Bala Veeraswami
Paseo del Rocío (Sevillanas)
Choreography: Spanish Dance Society
Music: Torcuato Zamora
Dancers: Spanish Dance Young Adults: Allisa Berstein and Lourdes Elias (instructor), Kayla Quinn
Tangos
Choreography: Estela Velez
Music: Torcuato Zamora
Dancers: Furia Flamenca Company Members: Lillian Mattiaccio, Sylvia Melecio, Katherine Page, Estela Velez
Apprentices: Aref Alvandy, Katie Brady, Antonio Castro-Ossorio, Teresa Cepada, Jennifer Carmichael, Dana Herndon, Ramona Jackson, Daniel Paredez, Lauren Raivel, Nikki Strong, Heidi Thibodeau, Karina Valverde, Bala Veeraswami
Guitar Solo
Performer: Torcuato Zamora
Farruca
Choreography: Antonio Vargas
Music Torcuato Zamora
Dancer: Antonio Vargas
Fin de Fiesta!
Here's the link to the Washington Post's review of the show. Also check out this article I wrote about Antonio five years ago titled "Baile is part of a trilogy."
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Comments
Miguelito,
Thank you for coming out on Sunday to support Antonio Vargas, Furia Flamenca, the Spanish Dance Society and the Joy of Motion students who performed both from my classes and Lou's and Nancy's! Antonio Vargas' experience in DC was a very positive one. He repeatedly expressed his happiness at seeing the many students and their enthusiasm for flamenco. In that regards I want to THANK all who came to the workshops. The entire technique series maxed out at over 25 students per class! and the choreography class was equally well attended. We were also sold out both evenings for the show bad weather and everything! Antonio wanted me to thank everyone for their support. All in all it was a wonderful 10 days of workshops and two performances we all won't forget!
Posted by: Estela | November 13, 2006 2:34 PM
M-Thanks so much for playing photographer at the show! Your photos are great, no matter that you couldn't take any with my camera,haha--I told you! Anyway, it was a blast to perform this past weekend, especially with Antonio Vargas who was not only a great dancer but a terrific teacher. I highly recommend taking his workshop if he comes back to DC.
Posted by: Karina | November 13, 2006 4:21 PM