FLAMENCO: THE VOICE OF SPAINS
SOUL
by Violetta Lapinski
RAICES...FLAMENCO ROOTS
Rosario Ancer Flamenco Arts Company
Norman Rothstein Theatre (Vancouver)
November 6, 8 and 9
Flamenco is the voice of Spains soul. Like a heavy stone, Spains
sorrow and anguish are reflected through the mediums of dance, song and music.
Pulling from its ancestral roots in Andalusia, Flamenco is a complex crossfire
of many art forms including Muslim, Gypsy, East Indian and Jewish.
In Raices Flamencas, Rosario Ancers Flamenco Arts Company introduces
the audience to the mysticism of Kathak dance and Sephardic chant, intricately
weaving through passages of time amongst layers of Flamenco. The northern
Indian dance style and the Jewish style of song symmetrize Flamenco, displaying
12-beat cycles, vibrant footwork, graceful hand and arm gestures, all accompanied
by the melancholic lamenting of the cantor combined with the fiery passion
of Flamenco.
Manjaree Khare mesmerizes the audience with her graceful Khatak dancing.
The combined musical talents of Andre Thibault, Victor Kolstee, Jose
Pepe Danza, Adel Awad and Vic Venu create hauntingly lyrical
Indian music and fervent rhythmic flamenco with ease and brilliance. The
strong and soulful singing by Steve Levin and Jose Luis Lara brought emotions
trembling to the surface. Stirring flamenco and belly dancing by Melanie
Maclellan, Laureen Mikki, Sherry Moutal and Carmen Rivas created excitement
and the urge to jump up on stage! A myriad blend of dance styles, bright
and colourful costumes, Spanish guitar and Indian sitar, innovative drumming
and powerful singing breathes life onto this stage. Ole!