Ballet Flamenco José Porcel

Ballet Flamenco José Porcel performs a seductive blend of traditional and modern flamenco, an evocative art form that probably originated around the 15th century, during the Gypsies' encounter with the people of southern Spain. A former principal with the National Ballet of Spain, Porcel has performed to wide acclaim and his lavish music and dance spectacles display both abundant creative genius and a desire to challenge convention while honoring tradition. Spain's El Pais has praised Porcel for "a stamp that differentiates him from the typical dancer, with his breadth and lean profile, his strong dramatic accent that helps him to command respect on the stage."

[Read a full biography of José Porcel here]

Flamenco is an art form in which creativity, spontaneity, what comes out at the moment ("lo que sale") is all important. Working with a flamenco to write, produce and direct a film is therefore exciting, stimulating, creative, sometimes exhausting and sometimes, just plain irritating. But one thing for sure—it's never boring.

Antonio de la Malena, a well-known cantaor (flamenco singer) who has toured the world for years is making a video-film with me about his early life. (Theoretically, we will later make another, very different, one about his career as a singer.) We start with his parents before he was born, and end when he is 13 years old and already singing professionally.

A couple of days ago, we decided to add to the written script a scene representing a big change that came about in his family when he was about 4 years old. The change was that his parents were able to stop working in the fields. (They were both from farm working families). As their new work, his father got a job as a laborer in a construction firm and his mother stayed at home, weaving chair bottoms out of cat-tail stalks ("nea" in Spanish).

We wrote this scene into the script two days before we shot it. Our three actors were Nicolas, a professional actor representing Antonio's father; Rosario, a flamenco singer playing his mother; and Jesus, a family friend of Antonio's. The scene will also include a short narrative spoken by the child playing Antonio at the age of five but we'll record the narration later.

I'm in charge of all the equipment needed for shooting while Antonio scouts out the locations, makes sure everyone will be dressed properly in period clothes, and does most of the direct dealing with the actors. The two of us confer on the set as well as off to decide what images we want.

Our plan for the day required us to shoot first outside in a place where you could gather "nea," and then inside in a space made to look like the interior of the family home in the 1960s.

Our schedule required Antonio's eldest son to drive by my apartment at 8:30am and pick up both me and the equipment (high definition camera, tripod, good microphone, earphones, script, videotapes, money for the actors and crew, release forms…just getting this stuff together takes quite a bit of time). Then, he was to go by Antonio's house and get Antonio and Jesus. Nicolas would go in his own car to the site where we were to start our shoot.

Well, the weather was awful. There was a huge storm the night before. Rivers overflowed their banks. There was thunder non-stop for at least 30 minutes. It was still raining in the morning.

What to do?

[Read the rest of the article here...]

Theatre Flamenco and Artistic Director Carola Zertuche present:

Kaweh - Final CD Release Tour date in 2008

Carolina Lugo's Brisas de España - 2nd Annual "Fiesta Navideña"

Jose Anillo from Cadiz, Spain

José Anillo (Cadiz) / Singer

Cádiz-born cantaor José Anillo took his first steps as an artist singing in the groups of several baile academies in Cádiz, San Fernando, Chiclana... He began his professional career as a member of the Manuela Carrasco Company, making his début at Madrid's Teatro de la Villa and Cádiz's Gran Teatro Falla.

Starting at the age of 18, he toured with various companies such as Cristina Hoyos, Belén Maya, Joaquín Grilo, Israel Galván, Javier Latorre and Rafael Campallo, among others. He was chosen for the lineup of 'Los 12 nombres para empezar el siglo XXI' ('12 Names to Begin the 21st Century') at the Granada Music and Dance Festival. In August 2003, he won the National Cantes por Alegrías Prize of Cádiz in the edition dedicated to Manolo Vargas. His cante has traveled to many countries all over America, to Asian countries like Japan and the Philippines, throughout Europe and to many cities in Spain.

Singing for numerous tocaores and bailaores, he has appeared in nearly forty episodes of Canal Sur TV's flamenco program 'Una llama viva'. He has also carried out record collaborations with artists such as Paco de Lucía, Capullo de Jerez and Fernando de la Morena, as well as on the compilation album 'Flamenco por Andalucía, España y la Humanidad' together with cantaoras Encarna Anillo and La Tana.

In 2005 and 2006 he joins the company of the Farruco family in shows like 'Los Farruco'. In 2007, he collaborates as a vocalist in the documentary 'The Last Conquistador' by director John Valadez, with music by composer Richard Martínez. That same year, he tackles his first experience as musical producer of the album 'Barcas de plata' by his sister, cantaora Encarna Anillo. He is now preparing his first solo album under the production of Juan Requena, Oscar Lagos, and his own.

Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos

Yaelisa is a master instructor who has won numerous awards for her choreographies. Her classes focus on introducing students to the movements, rhythms, and feeling behind this exciting and passionate dance form. The classes are an intense workout, yet fun for beginners and advanced dancers alike. Yaelisa is the artistic director of the award-winning Caminos Flamencos and the founder and artistic director of the New World Flamenco Festival.

Carolina Lugo & Carolé Acuña