WHAT:      High-energy Authentic Flamenco Performance
WHEN:      Friday, April 11, 2008 at 8pm and Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 2pm
WHERE:    Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street, Louisville, Kentucky
TICKETS:   $18 in advance, $20 day of show, purchase tickets online or by phone at 1-800-838-3006 [24/7 Ticket Hotline]

nternational cast of musicians and dancers will share the stage in an authentic Flamenco production "Cuerpo Y Alma" at the Clifton Center on April 11, at 8pm and April 13, at 2pm. Featured guest dancer and choreographer Antonio Hidalgo will be joined by guest singers Chayito Champion and Vicente Griego among others. A dazzling showcase of flamenco styles in sensual movement, fiery footwork and complex rhythms, as well as passionate interpretation of music that stands flamenco apart from other art forms are only some of the elements that will be highlighted during the show's two day run at the Clifton Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Cast: 

Antonio Hidalgo, guest choreographer and dancer, recipient of 2007 Premio Andaluz for artistic achievement, Cordoba, Spain
Antonio Hidalgo began dancing professionally in Flamenco festivals in Córdoba, Spain. From 1984 until 1989 he was a member of the Spanish Ballet of Carmen Mota, touring Italy, France, Montecarlo, South America, Miami and several venues in Spain. He has also performed with the Ballet of Antonio Gades, the Ballet of Jose Greco, Maria Benitez Estampa Flamenca and in Tokyo with Tablao El Flamenco. With his own company he has performed in various venues in Japan and Spain. In 1990, as an independent solo dancer, he worked in Costa del Sol with various companies and flamenco "tablaos". He has directed and choreographed several shows including "Fiesta de Andalucia" in Spain and for the "Palais des Beux Arts" in Brussels. Since 1998 Antonio Hidalgo has been working with Flamenco Vivo Carlotta Santana. His new works include Mano a Mano, Bailaor-Bailaora and Bailes de Ida y Vuelta premiering, to great acclaim, at The Joyce Theater in New York City. In 2004 he began co-directing "Aroma Flamenco Dance Company" with Inmaculada Ortega in Madrid.

Chayito Champion, guest singer, San Antonio, TX
Singer and dancer Chayito Champion carries a legacy of the flamenco art, that has been passed down to her from her family. She has traveled internationally, captivating her audiences with her heartfelt and passionate performances. In 1978 she was given the name Gitana Americana by the late Antonio Montoya, El Farruco, who was traveling with his son, Farruquito, and Chayito's father, El Curro, as part of Jose Greco's flamenco company. She has toured the world with such artists as the late Jose Greco, Antonio Vargas, Teo Morca, NaNa Lorca, and Pilar Rioja to name a few. Chayito performed with DanzaActiva of Puerto Rico where the show Encuentros received HOLA Award 2003 in N.Y. and the ACE Critics Award 2003 in N.Y. Chayito is currently the Flamenco singer for Calo Flamenco, a 20-member Flamenco dance company and will record her first album with Chris Burton Jacome in 2008.

Vicente Griego, guest singer, Albuquerque, NM
Vicente “El Cartucho” Griego from Embudo, New Mexico has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. He also remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales, with whom he performs weekly, both locally and nationally. Griego has recently become a member of Jesus “El Genio Gitano” Montoya’s company, PURESA FLAMENCA.

Mariya Tarakanova , dance and artistic direction, Louisville, KY
Mariya’s passion for dance has been a life-long journey. A seasoned performer, she made her debut at the age of 6 performing ballet, modern and international dance on stages of her native St. Petersburg, Russia. Her dance career has undergone a major shift in 1996, when she discovered Flamenco, one of the world’s most complex and mysterious artforms. Mariya has performed alongside such maestros as Antonio Vargas, Ángel Muñoz, Arturo Martínez, Jesus Montoya, Chayito, and Vicente Griego among others. Some of her recent endeavors include repeat residencies as a guest artist and teacher for Centro Flamenco De Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA, and a guest appearance at a performance with Brent Del Bianco and members of Memphis Symphony Orchestra in Memphis, TN. Mariya regularly performs as a soloist throughout Kentucky and surrounding states as well as teaches at the Flamenco Louisville studio.

Brent Del Bianco, flamenco guitar, Louisville, KY
Brent Del Bianco began playing music at the age of 10. Over the past 20 years, he has studied and performed a variety of styles, including flamenco, blues, jazz, bluegrass and classical guitar. His commitment to flamenco can be seen in his work as a soloist, and particularly as an accompanist. Brent has studied with the great “Chuscales” as well as Rene Heredia, Santiago Aguilar, Alfonso Veneno, and others, and has attended master classes with Pedro Sierra. Since 2004, Brent has attended the National Institute of Flamenco's annual summer events in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he accompanied classes for the International Flamenco Festival 2007. 

In alphabetical order:

Juliana Bravo , dance, Louisville, KY
Juliana Bravo, from Argentina, connected with flamenco in 2002 thanks to the inspiration of Mara Maldonado, who then directed the academy of Ballet Español. Since she was a child, Juliana was involved with dance. She danced Argentinean Folklore for 9 years in her native city of Córdoba. All those years of experience with dance are clearly reflected in the grace, unique style and Latina spirit that colors every aspect of her life, including flamenco. In Louisville Juliana studied at Ballet Español and Flamenco Louisville. As part of her dedication to the art form she has also trained with the following guest artists: Angela Ponzio, Antonio Granjero, Timo Lozano and Antonio Vargas. In her most recent trip to Spain she took intensive classes with Chiqui de Jerez and Juan Parra. Currently, Juliana Bravo is part of the professional flamenco company Camino Flamenco, whose members take pride in being able to bring the passion and art of flamenco to the community. Flamenco, as it only exists in the streets of Spain.

Paula Collins, dance, Louisville, KY
Paula Collins began dancing at an early age in her hometown of Frankfort, KY under the direction of her cousin Barbara Collins. In 2001, she was introduced to Flamenco at Ballet Espanol and became passionate about the art form. She has since primarily studied with Diana Dinicola and Mariya Tarakanova at Flamenco Louisville and has performed alongside Maestro Antonio Vargas and Chayito Champion. Paula has been to the National Institute of Flamenco in Albuquerque, New Mexico for 5 years and studied with Joaquin and Marisol Encinias, Andres Marin, Adela Campallo, Vero La India, Farruca and Antonio Vargas. During 2006 she traveled to Sevilla, Spain to study with the legendary Juana Amaya. This past summer she was funded through the Kentucky Governors Scholar Program to organize and perform along with Flamenco Louisville at Centre College, Bellarmine College and Morehead State University. She holds a degree in Dentistry and currently is an Assistant Professor at University of Louisville while performing regularly throughout the state with Flamenco Louisville.

Kristen "La Chispa Dorada" Mercker , dance, Louisville, KY
Kristen’s love of dance and movement began at the age of 15 with jazz and yoga, which she continued through high school and college. It wasn’t until she took her first flamenco class in 1999 that she found her greatest passion. Kristen began an intense study of the art form of flamenco, and in 2001 she began performing with Ballet Espanol under the direction of Mara Maldonado. They worked and performed with many artists from Spain and the US, most notably Angel Munoz (Pace Pena Flamenco Dance Company) at The Brown Theatre. Kristen’s love of flamenco took her to Spain, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Chicago to study with Maestros Juan Parra, Manolete Maya, Juan de Juan, Omayra Amaya, Joaquin Ruiz, Antonio Granjero, Timo Lozano y Angela Ponzio. Kristen was a founding member of the Soleo Flamenco Dance Company of Chicago, and has co-founded Camino Flamenco Dance Company in Louisville, KY.

 
Christina Dianne Smith , dance, Louisville, KY
Since Christina was first exposed to the art form of Flamenco, she was captivated. Determined to develop her skills as a flamenco dancer, she began her studies in 1999 with Ballet Español in Louisville, KY, and became an apprentice under the direction of Mara Maldonado. Over the last 8 years, Christina has worked with Angela Ponzio, Ana Maria Blanco, Carmela Greco and the legendary Manolete Maya. She has also studied with and performed alongside flamenco artists such as Arturo Martinez, Antonio Granjero and Angel Muñoz. Christina has actively participated with Ballet Español and Flamenco Louisville, Soleo Flamenco Dance Company in Chicago and currently co-directs professional flamenco dance company, Camino Flamenco.