Wine, Tapas, Flamenco! Pasión y Arte presents a contemporary take on a classic tablao

Flyer featuring image of performance of Pasion y Arte Flamenco. Photo by J.J. Tiziou
Flier featuring image of a performance of Pasion y Arte Flamenco. Photo by J.J. Tiziou

Wine, tapas, flamenco!

Pasión y Arte, an all-female flamenco dance company based in Philadelphia presents the first of a quarterly performance series sponsored by PNC Arts Alive, Tablao Philly, October 29-31, 2015, at the Asian Arts Initiative.

Tablao Philly intends to recreate a contemporary experience reminiscent of the cafe-like environment of the 18th and 19th century tablaos of Spain. Tablaos were comparable to beat poetry cafes or improvisational jazz clubs, where diverse audiences would gather to drink, eat and enjoy music, rhythm, and movement in an informal atmosphere of merriment.

“I am so delighted to bring the first contemporary tablao to Philadelphia and expose audiences to the intensity of this art form in a traditional format,” says Pasión y Arte executive and artistic director Elba Hevia y Vaca.

De Luna a Lunares.
De Luna a Lunares.

The premiere event will feature feature Philadelphia/New York based flamenco ensemble De Luna a Lunares, with dancers Monica Herrera, Marilla Quevedo, Griselda Marin, guitarist/cantor Cristian Puig and percussionist Guillermo Barron as well as the dancers and musicians of Pasión y Arte, including cantors Barbara Martinez and Hector Jose Marquez, guitarist Andreas Arnold and dancers Kumiko Koide, Amelia Hernandez, Alexa Miton and Hevia y Vaca. Completing the October program is special guest artist La Meira, a world renowned New York City based flamenco dancer and teacher who has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall and Jacob’s Pillow, and whose dancing has being hailed as “joyous, powerful” by The New York Times. In addition to performing, La Meira will be conducting a flamenco workshop on October 31 and November 1 (visit pasionyarteflamenco.org for additional information).

Each Tablao Philly performance will be 90 minutes long with two 10-minute intermissions for audiences to enjoy tapas and wine. Performances in 2016 (January 28-30, April 28-30, and June 9-11) will feature additional guests from the United States and Spain.

[Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street] October 29-31, 2015; pasionyarteflamenco.org.

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