Few dances and music are so intimately entwined as Flamenco. You cannot have one without the other. And this twin-effect has deepened the art in a way that is fanatical in nature, and passionate to the nth degree. To watch Flamenco is to dive into a culture of profound emotion we hardly know in America. A dance that worked its’ way from India to Spain — linking the east to the west, took roots in the south of Spain and into the hearts of the outcasts- the loners, the gypsies. The ability to instinctively express the pain, the joy, the highs, and lows of the gypsy life is to live on the edge of wonder and despair. Artists devote their lives to this world; a cult of followers seeks them out for a slice of Spain, and to feel alive again. Connoisseurs of culture and dance know where to go for their ‘fix’. One little stalwart theater in Los Angeles, The Fountain, has nurtured this art and the artists for years. Whether you are a fan of the footwork, the spell weaving hand work, the potent vocals or the singing guitar this weekend you have the opportunity to be part of the magic, so pour yourself into that red dress, or that tight black shirt, and have yourself a romantic night in Seville.
All-Star Flamenco Weekend Jan. 17, 18, 19 @ 8 pm
Forever Flamenco! presents an All-Star Flamenco Weekend: Antonio Triana and Company on Jan. 17 and 18, featuring magnificent singer José Cortés (from Spain) and mesmerizing dancer Fanny Ara (born in France, trained in Spain); and Lakshmi Basile and Company on Jan. 19, featuring two guest artists — guitarist Pedro Cortés and percussionist and festero Luis de la Tota, who brings joy and fun to every show he’s in. With only 80 seats in four rows, The Fountain Theatre is the perfect place to enjoy Flamenco. Each show features a roster of world-class Flamenco dancers, singers and musicians drawn from the rich pool of Flamenco artists in Southern California, with additional guest artists brought from San Francisco, Albuquerque and Spain.
Gabriel Lautaro Osuna, born to a family of artists and musicians in northern New Mexico Gabriel has played internationally and performed in a range of settings from the Dorothy Chandler to the gypsy caves in Granada. In 2010 Gabriel had the honor and privilege of working under the legendary Placido Domingo. Currently Gabriel resides and performs in the Los Angeles area with the musical group “Encuentro”. A true artist Gabriel donates his guitar love performing in community centers, schools, rest homes, prisons and at humanitarian events
Antonio Triana, – Antonio Triana’s music combines his own innovative arrangements with masterful technique and authenticity. Son of the legendary Spanish dancer and choreographer, Antonio Triana I, Flamenco is in his blood. He first appeared in concert at the age of 12 in a program starring Placido Domingo. He has been featured as a soloist at the Getty Museum, the Luckman Theatre, the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara, was commissioned by the Santa Cecilia Orchestra to compose a guitar interlude for the Fally score of “El Amor Brujo.” He has accompanied legends JoséGreco I, José Greco II, Antonio Granjero, La Tati, La Tania, Roberto Amaral, Maria Bermudez, Yaelisa, Juan Talavera, Jesús Montoya, and many others.
Fanny Ara hails from St. Jean de Luz in the French Basque country. Studies with the legendary Juana Amaya, El Torombo, Manolo Soler and Hieiesta Cortes shaped her incredible talent. While in Spain she studied at the prestigious academy of Mario Maya, and danced in tablaos in Madrid (Al Andalous and El Juglar). Fanny has become an established and important performer. She has shared the stage with Flamenco greats Antonio de la Malena, Manuel de la Malena, Juan Ogalla and Domingo Ortega. Fanny was nominated, in the category of “Most outstanding Individual Dancer” by the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards. Fanny’s most recent work, “A traves de sus ojos”, was described as “always elegant, frequently evoking unseen forces, body occasionally concave, legs striding in earthy response yet with vulgarity absent, fingers spread in exclamation to the rhythms, leaving the stage abruptly, provoking a gasp of delight.”
Manuel Gutierrez was born in Montpellier, France, but the blood in his veins is pure Córdoba. In Andalucía Manuel took his first flamenco steps; it has consumed his life from the day he was born. When Manuel was four, he spontaneously began to dance, with no training. The eight-year old prodigy won his first flamenco award, and his profound and charismatic talent persists to this day in powerful, sensitive and ultimately tremendous rhythmic formations,. Manuel’s career has taken him to prestigious Spanish tablaos such as, Casa Patas, Palacio del Flamenco & Cordobes. He tours with artists Juan Carmona, Chispa Negra, Chicuelo, Esperanza Fernández, Duquende. He also collaborates with Luis Winsberg, Qawwali Flamenco, Kevan Chemerani, Eric Fernández & Souad Masse. As Choreographer & instructor,Manuel has been privileged to teach in respected studios in Paris, including at L’Opéra de Paris.
José Cortés Fernández was born in southern France to an important gypsy family from Almería. At the age of 10, he began his career in Jerez de la Frontera where he won the “premio del joven aficionado del cante flamenco,” accompanied on guitar by the great “El Terremoto”. Immersed in the world of flamenco with legendary artists Pansequito, Camarón de la Isla, Moraito Chico and Tomatito, he has shared the stage with the best of the best, including Belen Lopez, Alfonso Losa, Sergio Arranda, Manuel de la Malena, Juan Ogalla, Javier Serrano, Joselito Vega, María del Mar Moreno, Antonio de la Malena, Mara Martinez, Andrés Peña, Pilar Ortega, Antonio “El Titi,” Juan Carmona, Isabel Gazquez and Manuel Gutierrez. In 2010, he moved to the United States collaborating with many artists including Fanny Ara, Melissa Cruz, Cristina Hall, Jesus Muñoz, Jesus Montoya, Antonio de Jerez and Pedro Cortés.
Antonio de Jerez is one among the most highly regarded flamenco singers currently in the U.S. Born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, into a Flamenco family – his father is a famous singer and his mother was a dancer; Antonio has been singing and dancing his entire life. He performed extensively around Spain in concerts, tablaos and festivals, and moved to the U.S. in 1977. Since then he has sung for many companies, including the José Molina Ballet, Rosa Montoya Ballet Español, The Boston Flamenco Ballet, plus the companies of Carmen Mora, Luisa Triana, La Tania, Yaelisa, and Domingo Ortega, among others. He is the Artistic Director of Canela Pura. Like many cantaores (singers), Antonio is also a poet and frequently writes letras (lyrics) for the cantes he sings.
Vanessa Albalos, a native of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, moved to Los Angeles, and began her dance training with her sister Geraldine Acosta and Rita Vega de Triana. She has performed with the companies of Sarita Parra, Gabriela Garza, Jose Tanaka’s Soniquete Flamenco and Jesus Montoya’s Flamenco Company. Vanessa has toured Mexico with the Festival Internacional Cervantina and Japan at the Tablau El Flamenco. She appeared in the Iron & Wine video on MTV “Boy With A Coin” and in MASTER TV’s “Caminos Flamencos” with Yaelisa’s San Francisco company. She has also appeared in the annual Los Angeles Flamenco Festival produced and directed by Mitchell Chang.
Friday, Jan. 17 at 8 pm and Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 pm
Antonio Triana and Company Guitarristas (Guitarists) – Gabriel Osuna, Antonio Triana Cantaores (Singers) – José Cortés, Antonio de Jerez Bailaores (Dancers) – Vanessa Albalos, Fanny Ara, Manuel Gutierrez
Sunday, Jan. 19 at 8 pm
Lakshmi Basile and Company Guitarrista (Guitarist) – Pedro Cortés Cantaor (Singer) – Jesus Montoya Palmero/Cajonero (Percussionist) – Luis de la Tota Up-right Bass – Jeff Basile Bailaora (Dancer) – Lakshmi Basile
WHERE: The Fountain Theatre 5060 Fountain Ave. Los Angeles CA 90029 (Fountain at Normandie)
HOW: (323) 663-1525 or www.FountainTheatre.com
TICKETS: Single performance: $40 Two performances: $60
PARKING: Secure, on-site parking: $5
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