The Grapevine Art & Soul Salon
Presentations: Kwajo Abeyie
Pasión Flamenca and Antonio Hidalgo in Atlanta
At the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta on Saturday evening, October 4, 2008, feature artist and choreographer Antonio Hidalgo led the theatrical dance company Pasión Flamenca in the performance of a choreodrama Flamenclorico: Lore of the Miners. On Sunday Hidalgo gave a master class at Several Dancers Core in Decatur, Georgia. Both events were outstanding.
The drama combined dance, instruments and vocals drawn from the folk songs of Andalusia and depicting one day in the lives of three generations of Rio Tinto miners. From the descent into the mine to the final drop of sweat from Antonio Hildago's forehead, this show was absolutely electric. Leaving one world and entering another, each performer brought an earthy, sensual richness to performances.
Barbara Martinez' solo was so very powerful, her swift feet pounding intricate rhythms with the force and rapidity of a machine gun. She was mesmerizing. I was transfixed by her hand and finger work, which seemed to move from a mysterious inner pulse.
Before the main show, the troupe showcased several local flamenco students performing palos with great enthusiasm. Also notable was a solea choreographed by Rina Menosky and performed passionately by Erica, an up-and-coming flamenco dancer to keep an eye on.
Sunday's master class transformed the very large dance studio at Several Dancers Core in Decatur into an intimate flamenco tablao atmosphere. Students arranged in a circle each took part in the rumba flamenca experience under the attentive eye of Antonio Hidalgo.
Hidalgo, presently a co-director of The New York Center For Flamenco Performing Arts/ArtsFlamenco, began his professional life as a youth in the flamenco festivals of his native Córdoba, Spain, and expanded his experience in tours with the Spanish Ballet of Carmen Mota throughout Europe, South America, and the U.S. before going solo in 1990. He has since directed and choreographed a number of flamenco productions including Carmen for the company of Antonio Gades. He has performed with the Gades, José Greco, and María Benitez Estampa flamenca companies. Ultimately, he formed his own company to tour Europe, Russia, and Asia. He has choreographed and danced lead for Carlota Santana FlamencoVivo. In 2007 he was awarded Spain’s “Premio Andaluz” for artistic achievement.
Jorge Navarro, Artistic Director of Pasion Flamenca, made his debut at Carnegie Hall at age 17. He toured the U.S. and South America with Maria Alba and has performed in major venues like Madison Square Garden, Kennedy Center, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He also performed with Rita Moreno and The Gipsy Kings on PBS and was the choreography consultant to Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino for the film, Devil’s Advocate.
Pedro Cortes, Music Director, comes from a family of Spanish Gypsy guitarists. He learned to playguitar from his father and the revered Sabicas. Cortes toured with Jose Greco and Maria Benitez andperformed with Farrucita, La Tati, Merche Esmeralda, Manolete and Lola Flores. He has received international recognition as a soloist and composer.
Pasión Flamenca’s mission is to preserve the traditions of flamenco while also evolving flamenco as an art form. High praise to this collaboration of exquisite cantors, guitarists, percussionists, and dancers on such a grand stage with an impressive array of lights and sound effects. The assemblage of forms and elements definitely has one talented foot in the past and one in the future of flamenco.
Kwajo Abeyie's stage name is El Moro.
Here is a link to a previous article on The Grapevine where you will meet him as a patron and sometimes dancer at Vino Libro:
El Moro dancing with members of Calo Gitano at Vino Libro in Atlanta.