Year 2008 has come and gone, in, what seems to be a fleeting moment. It will be remembered as one filled with milestones, celebrations and achievements. From opening our flamenco Studio Aíre in March and producing our first week-long program of workshops and performances in April, featuring the award-winning dancer and choreographer Antonio Hidalgo and guest singers Chayito Champion and Vicente Griego to artist residencies in Pittsburgh, premiering a new choreography, La Rondeña, at the WorldFest on the Belvedere and everything in between.

Take a look below at the brief summary of our programs and accomplishments for the last year, read all the way to the bottom for some rather astounding website statistics!

FlamencoTalk '08 Highlights

• Established in March ‘07
• Produced first large scale flamenco theater show Cuerpo Y Alma at the Clifton Center April ‘08, featuring the recipient of Premio Andaluz for Artistic Achievement 2007 Antonio Hidalgo, from Córdoba, Spain as well as internationally recognized flamenco guest artists Chayito Champion and Vicente Griego
• Produced and hosted world-class educational flamenco dance workshops with Antonio Hidalgo
• Produced and hosted flamenco singing workshop with internationally recognized flamenco singer Vicente Griego
• Hosted educational flamenco dance workshop with celebrated flamenco artist Timo Lozano, from Madrid, Spain
• Mariya Tarakanova and Brent Del Bianco completed 3rd year residence program with Pittsburgh Flamenco
• In ’08 FlamencoTalk was featured in local media on WHAS11, WAVE3, WBKI, WLKY32, and Good Morning Kentuckiana programs
• FlamencoTalk has performed in a variety of venues and settings throughout ‘08, including tablao, outdoor festivals, school lecture/demonstrations, and theater performances. Among most notable events were Cuerpo Y Alma 2-day production at the Clifton Center, WorldFest on Belvedere, performances at Morehead State University, Shelby County High School, and Caffé Classico
• Hosted our first “Flamenco Juerga” (informal musical party/jam session) - a traditional get-together for flamenco fans, musicians, and dancers, providing a fun, relaxed atmosphere for collaboration, fostering a spirit of community, as well as serving as an informal showcase for up-and-coming flamenco dancers and musicians

Studio Aíre

• Opened in March ‘08
• Largest flamenco studio in the area, equipped with floating floor specifically built for flamenco and floor-length mirrors
• Served nearly 50 students in ’08 from Louisville/Southern Indiana area and as far as Lexington, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Albuquerque, NM

FlamencoTalk.com

• Established in March ‘07
• Most comprehensive flamenco resource website on the web!
• Completely free               
• Featuring Flamenco Dictionary, extensive library of flamenco songs, Flamenco Mercado – online tool allowing flamenco fans to buy/sell/trade flamenco gear and musical instruments, forum for members, special registered student’s area with exclusive educational materials, extensive photo and video galleries, and much more
• Published 42 online flamenco articles in ’08
• Over 25 eNewsletters were sent to 764 opt-in subscribers

Thank you all for your support and great spirits!
With my sincerest regards,

Mariya Tarakanova,
FlamencoTalk, Director