MANUEL RAMIREZ
WITH SPECIAL GUEST RENKA FEATURING JOSE VEGA

Date: Sun, Nov 11, 2018 04:00PM
Price: $50, $45 Friends, $37.50 students and seniors
Duende Festival Packages:
Save 15% if you purchase tickets to three or four performances
Save 20% if you purchase tickets to all five performances
Save 50% on parking when you purchase tickets to three or more performances

Includes same-day Museum admission.

Journey to southern Spain where the biggest artistic treasure of the country, flamenco, was born, during this performance by Andalusia-based Manuel Ramírez, acclaimed flamenco choreographer and dancer, and master flamenco guitarist, Mario Parrana. 

The theme of Ramírez’s performance is how a dancer confronts his fears and dances on stage alone. It showcases flamenco’s ability to adapt as he demonstrates his lively personal style while respecting the traditions and trajectory of flamenco in the 21st century.

The evening also features local group Renka with special guest José Vega, the accomplished flamenco guitarist and powerful expressionist from Cadiz, Spain. Led by dancer and teacher Rie Ishizuka, the performance pushes further the geographical, spiritual, and cultural influences of and upon flamenco, by combining Japanese folk song and Buddhism chanting.

Flamenco is an art form built on three Abrahamic faiths and the musical expressions of three continents – at first glance, these traditions and contexts seems disparate and irreconcilable. But flamenco is the ultimate example of what happens when artists look beyond limitations imposed by the outside world. The dance form continues to evolve and is shaped by scenes across the planet, as you will experience during the performances and film screening at our fourth annual Duende: Flamenco Festival. The artists demonstrate what awaits them on “the other side of fear.”

Bios:

Manuel Ramírez is a solo dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of Manuel Ramírez Flamenco Ballet. He began his flamenco studies under la Chiqui de Jerez y Antonio el Pipa. He has worked in Palacio Andaluz in Seville, Corral de la Morería, Corral de la Pacheca and the “Candela” in Madrid. He has been the principal dancer alongside Antonio “El Pipa” and Miguel Vargas, performing in the Jerez Festival and the Biennale of Seville. He has also been part of the ballet corps for companies managed by Sara Baras, Estévez-Paños, and Rafael Aguilar with whom he performed in theatres around the world.

Flamenco guitarist Mario Parrana has worked with artists such as Montse Cortés, Saul Quirós, Las Negris, Marina Garcia, Enrique el Piculabe, Antonio Ingueta, Enrique Heredia “El Negri” or Miguel el Rubio. He is currently working with Fernando Soto and José Mercé, the latter being considered today’s best cantaor (flamenco singer) in the world.

Renka (“lotus flower”) is a Japanese flamenco-fusion group expressing the beauty of all cultures. When the flower blossoms, it symbolizes impermanence and constant change; likewise, there is something new always on the horizon of flamenco.

Flamenco guitarist José Vega’s passion for flamenco began 20 years ago in his hometown of Cadiz, Spain. At 16 years old, Vega began performing in the flamenco bars and tablaos (venues) of Cadiz, and throughout Andalusia. He has performed in the most prestigious peñas (gathering spots) and tablaos in Spain, including Peña la Perla de Cadiz, Tablao Cordobes (Barcelona) and Casa Patas (Madrid). He has accompanied some of flamenco’s top artists including Andres Peña, Marco Flores and Carmen Jara.

Rie Ishizuka has been dancing flamenco since 2003. She studied under Myriam Allard and Katherine Oliveri in Montreal and has travelled numerous times to Spain. She further advanced her skills under the instructions of Manuel Betanzos, Javier Latorre, Concha Jareño, and La Lupi, among others. She has danced at flamenco festivals in Canada and Spain, and regularly collaborates with a range of artists.