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Event
FLAMENCO NIGHTS @ GALERIA WEST with Accomplished Guitarist PEDRO CORTES & HIS GUEST ARTISTS in Concert
The passion of Spanish Flamenco music and dance comes to the stage at the wonderfully intimate Galeria West venue, located at 111 Quimby Street in downtown Westfield, NJ. This popular bi-monthly FLAMENCO NIGHTS @ GALERIA WEST concert event on Friday, November 28, 2014 at 7:30pm features accomplished flamenco guitarist Pedro Cortes along with his special guest artists; the internationally acclaimed dancer from Barcelona Sonia Olla, acclaimed Spanish flamenco singer Ismael Fernandez and percussionist and dancer Jose Moreno.
Pedro Cortes comes from a family of Spanish gypsy guitarists and began his studies with his father and the esteemed Flamenco guitarist Sabicas. Having toured professionally since the age of 17, he has gained international recognition as a soloist and composer. He premiered his work "En la oscuridad de las minas" at the Teatro Albeniz in Madrid, and in 1992 he had works premiered by the Carlota Santana Spanish Dance Company at the Joyce Theater in New York. He has two books on flamenco, El Dron del Faraon and Cruzando el Charco, published by the American Institute of Guitar. He toured with the great Jose Greco and Maria Benitez, and has performed with such artists as Farrucita, La Tati, Merche Esmeralda, Manolete and the Lola Flores. He has been a guest artist with the St. Louis Opera and the New York Grand Opera, and has been commissioned by and performed as Musical Director with the Guthrie Theater production of BODAS DE SANGRE by Garcia Lorca. Cortes is a third generation Flamenco guitarists and uses the experience passed down to him by his family to maintain the purity of Flamenco while creating new compositions.
Sonia Olla is a worldwide prestigious flamenco dancer whose strength, vitality and passion on stage have seduced not only experts on this field but also the most demanding public. Born and raised in Barcelona, she earned a degree in Spanish Dancing and Flamenco at the prestigious "Instituto de Teatro y Danza of Barcelona" in June 1999. Her flawless technical quality, along with her natural talent and her continuous exploratory eagerness called the attention of many famous flamenco stars that eventually became her instructors. This way, she completed her training with top artists such as Merche Esmeralda, Manolo Marón, Mariquilla or Antonio Canales, among many others. In 2013 she moved to New York to prepare her third big production called "Tiempo al Aire", which she premiered in May at the Boulevard Theater of the glamourous American city. With this show, she also performed at emblematic venues in NYC; such as Instituto Cervantes, La Poison Rouge, Birdland, Metropolitan Room, and Carnegie Hall. In addition, she has also performed in the production throughout various international cities. Flamenco singer Ismael Fernandez has performed with his legendary Sevillan flamenco family in festivals all over the world since a young boy, joining the "fin de fiesta" party that closed the shows. His uncle, Curro Fernandez, was his mentor. He began singing professionally at El Cordobes tablao in Barcelona, La Carboneria in Sevilla, and in the famous caves of Granada. In 2004, Fernandez won the National Contest of Cordoba, and was a finalist in the prestigious Festival del Cante de la Union. He has performed with his family in the Bienal of Sevilla, and on world tour with internationally renowned dancer María Pagés throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States. He has sung for some of the best of his generation, including alongside singer Marina Heredia, and for dancers El Torombo, Leonor Moro, Marco de Ana, Rafaela Carrasco, Alfonso Losa, and Manuel Liñan. He created his own show "Entretiempo" with the dancer Sonia Olla in 2010, debuting in Barcelona and Madrid. In 2014, he performed in the Flamenco Festival USA, and joined singer Esperanza Fernandez in presenting her new album "Mi Voz es tu Palabra" live in Madrid. He toured with dancer Sonia Olla, presenting "Tiempo Al Aire" in the historic Boulevard Theatre of Queens, in the Chicago Flamenco Festival, and in New York City's Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival.
Jose Moreno is the son of famous flamenco artists Estrella Morena and Pepe de Málaga. Mr. Moreno began studying flamenco dance with his mother at age 6. He later studied with Manolete, Andres Marin, and Farruquito. He learned percussion especially cajon under the tutellage of Manuel Soler. Performing professionally since he was 14, Mr. Moreno has appeared with dancers Manolete, La Tania, Pastora Galvan, Antonio Granjero, Joaquin Ruiz; singers Jesus Montoya, Joni Cortes; guitarists Pedro Cortes, Basilio Garcia, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Roberto Castellon, Jose Cortes (Pansequito). He has performed with the companies Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, Duende Ballet Espanol, Bailes Ferrer Flamenco Music and Dance, and Jesus and Suaya Montoya Company. He has also performed in the New World Symphony's concert series with singer Carmen Linares; Flamenco in the Sun; and on tour with La Tania Flamenco Music and Dance, Boston Flamenco Ballet, and the Zorongo Flamenco Dance Company and also recently in the production of Carmen at the Met in NYC.
This evening of passionate flamenco puro reveals the pure emotional essence of this popular Iberian music and dance form. The musicians are joined on stage by the accomplished dancers and together they celebrate the expressive flamenco as it takes on a new character and exposes the audience to the warmth of the human spirit as expressed through music and dance by these talented artists. The body movements and the facial expressions join with the artistry of the musicians and singers to create a spectacle that is a treat for both the eye and the soul. Come experience an evening of Spanish gypsy culture with the cast of this captivating music and dance celebration!
We recommend planning on enjoying a fine meal or dessert before or after the show at one of several fine restaurants in quaint downtown Westfield, NJ.
Event proceeds benefit programming efforts at TEATRO Si, a New Jersey 501(c) 3 not for profit organization.
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LocationGaleria West Art & Music Gallery (View)
111 Quimby Street
Westfield, NJ 07090
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
| Owner: TEATRO Si |
| On BPT Since: Apr 15, 2008 |
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| TEATRO Si |
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