FEATURED SHOW

UPCOMING SHOWS

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

+Sept 11 ZANGRIA presents FLAMENCO! LIVE! , Dancers: La Fibi Danica "La Mora" Singer: Felix de Lola Guitarist: Jason McGuire

+ Sept 12 A SALUTE TO THE 13th BIENAL del ARTE FLAMENCO de SEVILLA Sunday, Featuring Special Guest Artists from Spain ANTONIO GRANJERO (baile) and CHUSCALES (guitar) with Carola Zertuche and an all-star cast of local flamenco artists Brought to you by La Nina Productions and the Bay Area Flamenco Partnership LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley $18 adv./$20 door

+ CAFE DE LA PAZ PRESENTS PASION FLAMENCA YAELISA & CAMINOS FLAMENCOS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17   SHOWS AT 8:00 & 10:00PM

+ Sept 18 ZANGRIA presents FLAMENCO! LIVE! Dancers: Virginia Iglesias Melissa Cruz Singer: Felix de Lola Guitarist: Ben Woods

+ Sept 24 Napa Valley Opera House Yaelisa & Caminos Flamencos September 24, 8PM $30/$25/$15

+Sept 25 ZANGRIA presents FLAMENCO! LIVE! Dancers: La Fibi Carola Zertuche Singer: Azriel "El Moreno" Guitarist: Ricardo Diaz

+ 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

+ CANCELLED Mar 5, 6 2005 Cal Performances World Stage 04/05 season Compañía Flamenca Andrés Marín Más Allá Del Tiempo ("Beyond Time") Sat Mar 5, Sun Mar 6, Zellerbach Hall

+ May 8 2005 Cal Performances World Stage 04/05 season Gypsy Crossings featuring Biréli Lagrène & Taraf de Haïdoks Sun, May 8, 7 pm Zellerbach Hall, $22/$30/$42

THE ARTISTS

Jesus Alvarez (Guitarist): has become a much sought-after accompanist for dancers as well as singers due to his unique blend of traditional playing with a contemporary sound.  He has played for such Flamenco heavyweights as Manolete, El Guito and Antonio El Pipa.  Alvarez has been featured on several recordings including: Jerez Joven por Buleria and Bizcolos Camarones.

Maria Bermudez (Artistic Director/Lead Dancer) has lived in Jerez for many years and has worked with many of the finest artists in Spain. In 2002, she was honored by the city of Jerez for her relentless dedication to the advancement and exposure of the city's unique sound and flamenco style.  Her outstanding and critically acclaimed performances have graced the stages of prominent venues in Spain, North America and throughout the world, including the Hollywood Bowl and The John Anson Ford Theatre in Los Angeles, The Joyce Theatre in New York, and Teatro Villamarta in Jerez. In October of 2004 she returns to showcase both her vocal and dance expertise in "El Amor Brujo" with the Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Los Angeles. A documentary based on Maria's life in Flamenco due out in 2005.

Luis de la Tota (Percussionist/Palmero) is one of the most recognized palmeros in Spain. Palmas (handclapping) is an all-important and extremely complex element of both traditional and contemporary Flamenco. Luis has accompanied some of the greatest singers, dancers and guitarists of his country, including Manuela Carrasco, Christina Hoyos, Los Montoya, Juanito Villar, Jose Merce, Vicente Amigo, Paco Cepero, Los Parilla and Navajita Platea.

Rafael Fernandez Viedma (Viola) was born in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. He began studying the Viola under the guise of H.W. Krakenberger and perfected his mastery of the instrument with Yesse Levine, Charles Tunnel, Miriam Deliberos, Liviu Stanesse, and Osvaldo Ciancio.   He was a member of The Young People's National Orchestra of Spain, The Seville Symphonic Orchestra, and the Orchestra of Granada, which enabled him to tour throughout Europe. As a Flamenco musician and accompanist, Viedma has recorded and toured throughout the world with such great artists as Lole y Manuel, Andres Marin, Arcángel, Enrique Morente, and Dorantes (with whom he participated in the Havana Jazz Festival in 1999).

Alfredo Lagos (Guitarist) has worked with the most important figures in Flamenco dance and song, including Manuela Carrasco and Joaquin Grilo. Considered a "musician's musician" Alfredo's compositions have added texture, beauty and strength to the recordings of such notable singers as Jose Merce, Estrella and Enrique Morente and Duquende. His combination of a sophisticated, musical ear and the Flamenco style unique to his native Jerez has made him one of the most sought after guitarists today. Alfredo recently received the honor of the "Guitarist of the Year" in Madrid. He is currently working on a recording with his brother, singer David Lagos.

David Lagos (Singer) has worked with many of the most important Flamenco dance companies in Spain, including those of Cristina Hoyos, Eva La Yerbabuena, Juana Amaya and Manuela Carrasco.  David is known for his complete commitment to the art of Flamenco, striving for perfection with every performance. Last year, he was presented with an "outstanding achievement" award by EI Mundo (Spanish National Newspaper) for his participation in six of the most prominent concerts in Seville's prestigious Bienal de Flamenco. Most importantly, he is also making the transition to Cante Adelante (Soloist), every singer's ultimate goal. An upcoming CD is in the works.

Enrique Pantoja (Dancer/Singer/Guest Artist), a native of Jerez de la Frontera, is one of the great Flamenco artists of his era.  Enrique's history within the art form spans several decades and includes performances with legends Lola Flores, Rocio Jurado and El Chiquetete. He has been a featured artist at all of Madrid's finest Tablaos (Flamenco Performance Clubs), including the Venta de Gato and the Villa Rosa.  Enrique has been a major component of the famed Antonio Gades Dance Company since 1986, and was featured in all of Gades' films including Carmen and Bodas de Sangre (both directed by Carlos Saura).  Currently, he collaborates with the National Ballet of Spain and The Rafael Amargo Company, among many others.  This will be his first tour with Sonidos Gitanos.

Andres Peña (Dancer) was born in Jerez de la Frontera and began his study of Flamenco dance with Angelita Gomez y Fernando Belmonte. He continued with such greats as Antonio Canales, Javier La Torre, Domingo Ortega and Carmen Cortes. His first professional performances took place in 1992 as a member of the Cuadro Flamenco Andaluz de Jerez, which toured throughout Europe. Since then, Andres has performed throughout the world as a soloist and with numerous Flamenco groups. In the year 2000, he won the prestigious "First Prize in Dance in Seville's Bienal de Flamenco. Andres' pure Jerez style has earned him a fast-growing reputation as one of the finest male dancers of his generation, garnering the attention of many great Flamenco artists, including Duquende and Eva La Yerbabuena, who he has worked with in recent years.

Miguel Resendo (Singer) makes his first US appearance with Sonidos Gitanos.  A native of Cadiz, Miguel's voice is deep and profound, reminiscent of the "classic" Flamenco voice of the past.  He has performed throughout Europe and Japan with many great artists including Antonio El Pipa, Andres Peña, Dorantes and Javier Baron.
 
Jerez de la Frontera is known as La Ciudad del Flamenco (the city of Flamenco). The Southern Spanish city prides itself in bearing its children singing and dancing straight from the womb and is noted for its devotion to the roots of pure Flamenco song, dance and music. This tour gives the audience the rare opportunity to experience Flamenco direct from its birthplace.

Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
3301 Lyon Street

Tickets are $32  plus service fees and can be purchased through City Box Office at 415/392-4400 or www.cityboxoffice.com. 

To learn more about Maria Bermudez, please visit the artist's website:
www.maria-bermudez.com