February, 2005
BALLET FLAMENCO SARA BARAS

CAL PERFORMANCES PRESENTS
SPAIN'S MOST CELEBRATED FLAMENCO COMPANY
BALLET FLAMENCO SARA BARAS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12
&
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13 IN ZELLERBACH HALL

Here at Zellerbach after making flamenco box office history by selling out every night of a five-month show in Madrid!

“It is a fact that, despite her youth, Sara Baras is part of the saga of great flamenco dancers." – El Mundo

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Spain’s most famous contemporary flamenco star, Sara Baras, will bring her powerful, passionate dances to Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall on Saturday, February 12 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. Twice honored with Spain’s most prestigious dance award, the Premio Nacional de Danza, Baras has been hailed world-wide for her passionate intensity and elegant spirit. Performing with her company, Baras will present the Bay Area premiere of her graceful suite of dances, Sueños, which returns to flamenco puro, the finest and most essential form of the art. The Diario de Jerez newspaper writes that Baras is “imbued with spicy grace by the salt mines of her native land, her arms and hands turn the dance that she interprets into velvet.”

Tickets: $28.00, $38.00, $56.00, available through the Cal Performances Ticket Office at Zellerbach Hall; at (510) 642-9988 to charge by phone; at www.calperfs.berkeley.edu; and at the door.

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Sara Baras
Sara Baras was born in Cadiz, Spain in 1971. At 18 she won first prize in a television talent contest and began to gain recognition for her extraordinary gifts as a dancer. By 1998 she had established Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras which debuted with the work Sensaciones, a journey through palos, traditional forms of flamenco that have no plot but emphasize the feminine aspects of the dance. The company’s second production is Sueños, which first opened in April of 1999 in Jerez, Spain. Paris’ Le Figaro called Baras “the most sensational discovery on the women’s [flamenco] scene – her dance is sculptural and magnificent, her footwork of a virtuosity rarely attained by a female flamenco dancer.”

Recognized for her youth and beauty as well as for her talent as a dancer and choreographer, Sara Baras has made several appearances in the fashion world and taken part in many advertising campaigns. In 2002 Baras was named the “Face of Andalusia” and represents the Tourism Council of the Andalusian government. She was honored as the female representative of dance in Spain with a stamp issued by the Spanish postal system.

BALLET FLAMENCO SARA BARAS
Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras, which has captivated audiences throughout the world with its dramatic choreography, phenomenal skill and sheer beauty, includes eight dancers and seven musicians. Music is as important to flamenco as dance, and musicians and dancers communicate intimately through sound and movement. Two guitarists, two singers, a percussionist and a violinist create haunting syncopated rhythms which work in symbiosis with the dancer’s explosive footwork and choreography. The company has toured extensively around the globe and won many awards. Recently they made flamenco box office history by selling out every night of a five-month show in Madrid, where Baras now makes her home.

Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras is Sara Baras (director, chroeographer, dancer) and company dancers Auxi Fernández, Raúl Fernández, Cecilia Gómez, Ana González, Charo Pedraja, Raúl Prieto and María Vega. The musicians include José María Bandera, (musical conductor, guitar), Mario Montoya (guitar), Miguel de la Tolea (singer), Saul Quirós (singer), José Motos (percussion) and Amador Goñi (violin). The company will be joined at Cal Performances by guest dancer and choreographer José Serrano.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras Saturday, February 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 13 at 7 p.m. in Zellerbach Hall are priced at $28.00, $38.00, and $56.00. Tickets are available through the Cal Performances Ticket Office at Zellerbach Hall; at (510) 642-9988 to charge by phone; at www.calperfs.berkeley.edu; and at the door. Half-price tickets are available for purchase by UC Berkeley students. UC faculty and staff, senior citizens and other students receive a $2 discount, and UC Alumni Association members receive a $3 discount (Special Events excluded). For more information, call Cal Performances at (510) 642-9988, or visit the Cal Performances web site at www.calperfs.berkeley.edu.

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A Benefit for
Phoebe Vernier "La Fibi"

Queridos Amigos,
As you may have heard, this past month, our dear friend and compañera flamenca, Phoebe Vernier, "La Fibi" was hospitalized at Petaluma Valley Hospital for a ruptured appendix.  She is scheduled to be released in a few days and is still recovering. 
 
Phoebe has been a professional dancer in the Bay Area for the past twenty years.  Just the other week, she quit her job at the Sheraton Hotel so that she could realize her dream of teaching and performing flamenco full time.  She had just begun to do what she loves most when this medical emergency took place.    Unfortunately, she does not have any medical insurance and will be responsible for a sizable hospital bill.  Her medical condition has prevented her from working over the past two weeks and she is likely to be out of work for at least two months. 
 
Many of you have already expressed your concern and want to help.  Any financial gifts you can spare at this time are greatly appreciated and will go a long way. Please take the time to show your love and support to a buena compañera flamenca.
 
Here's how you can give:
Please make checks or money orders payable to "Phoebe Vernier" and send to:
Phoebe Vernier "La Fibi"
208 Hayes Lane
Petaluma, CA 94952
Thank you,

From the Northern California flamenco community:
Azriel "El Moreno"
Benjamin Woods
Carola Zertuche
Danica Sena "La Mora"
David Gutierrez
Jaime del Rio
Jason Engelund
Jason McGuire "El Rubio"
La Tania
Mark Taylor
Miriam "La Miri"
Mercedes Molina Kollman
Monica
Nina Menendez
Patricia Inez
Ricardo Diaz
Roberto Aguilar
Roberto Zamora
Virginia Iglesias
Yaelisa

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SF FLAMENCO.com(munity)
SF Flamenco is an online community center and magazine working to support and showcase the entire flamenco community in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. This California on-line flamenco magazine, includes event listings, an artist directory, flamenco artist support and resources, historical and education resources, art, nightlife and resources on local, U.S.A., Spanish and international flamenco art and culture. Be sure to read the interviews and back issues in the SF Flamenco History page. Site created and edited by Jason Engelund. SF Flamenco is a volunteer project supported by the flamenco community. If you are a local flamenco performer,find out about the free Feature Articles, and Performer's Network. Please email: flamencoshows@yahoo.com

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UPCOMING SHOWS

Click on the show for calendar with full details. Check show information with venue.

+ Jan 30 FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR THE THIRSTY BEAR'S FLAMENCO ROOM! Come Celebrate!

+ Feb 5 La Nina Productions and The Bay Area Flamenco Partnership present “VOZ DEL TIEMPO” an exploration of the flamenco voice with original music and choreographies by VIRGINIA IGLESIAS FLAMENCO DANCE COMPANY Dancers: Virginia Iglesias, Kerensa de Mars, Sandra Christensen Singers: Felix de Lola, Azriel “El Moreno” Percussion: Rami Ziadeh, Katja Cooper Violin: Gerardo Moreno Flamenco Guitar: Jorge Liceaga; La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley; 8pm $18 adv./$20 door
Virginia Iglesias

+ Feb 5 ZANGRIA presents FLAMENCO! LIVE! with LA FIBI FLAMENCO Saturday, February 5th Dancers: Monica, Melissa, Singer: Virginia Juan, Guitarist: Ricardo Diaz; Petaluma

+ Feb 6 THE FLAMENCO ROOM at the ThirstyBear Two cuadro-style flamenco shows Sundays at 7 & 8:30pm No cover charge. Sunday February 6th featuring Félix de Lola, Benjamin Woods, Carola Zertuche and Kerensa DeMars

+ Feb 12 ZANGRIA presents FLAMENCO! LIVE! with LA FIBI FLAMENCO Saturday, February 12th Dancers: Juan Del Valle, Felice de Lola, Singer: Azriel “El Moreno”, Guitarist: Ricardo Diaz; Petaluma

+ Feb 13 THE FLAMENCO ROOM at the ThirstyBear Two cuadro-style flamenco shows Sundays at 7 & 8:30pm No cover charge. Sunday February 13th featuring Roberto Zamora, Kenny Parker, Dancers TBA.

+ Feb 12, Feb 13 2005 Cal Performances World Stage 04/05 season Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras Sueños ("Dreams") Sat, Feb 12, Sun, Feb 13, Zellerbach Hall