FALL FOR FLAMENCO
The
Atlantic Flamenco Festival wraps up this week with a Gala Soiree at the Spatz
Theatre in Halifax. Recently we spoke with festival founder and director Maria
Osende about what audiences can expect.
What got you into
flamenco?
The artistic freedom of expression, the passion, the drama - I love
the drama!
Are they the same reasons you do it today?
Yes, exactly the same ones!
What are they challenges
involved?
As you know working in the arts is challenging but so worth it. The
biggest challenge for us here is that many people don’t know about flamenco,
and many cannot even imagine that such amazing artist would be coming here to
Halifax, so thank you for helping us spread the news.
What are the rewards?
Flamenco really touches people’s souls in a way that is hard to
describe, we all need inspiration, passion and beauty in our lives, flamenco is
all that and much more, is an art form that goes well beyond cultural
boundaries.
How did Joaquin Grio get involved, and what can we expect to experience with his performance?
Expect the unexpected! Internationally acclaimed and multiple
award-winning dancer Joaquin Grilo will perform an electrifying
world-premiere along with singer Carmen Grilo and the also award-winning
and internationally acclaimed guitarist Juan Requena celebrated in
over 45 countries for his mastery of the intricacies of flamenco
guitar. Grilo’s unprecedented style has initiated a trend towards
individualism in flamenco dance. He combines the typical elegance and
formality of orthodox flamenco with his looser more playful
persona. The Gala is a celebration of the flamenco arts in Nova Scotia,
and it could not happen without the presence of local favorites Maria Osende and Compania
Azul, who will be providing opening acts for the evening.
Is enough being done to
promote flamenco here in Halifax and Atlantic Canada?
We have a lot of support, but flamenco is the big unknown, we
would love to get more exposure, to scream to the world that we are right here
- that Halifax has so much to offer, so much cultural diversity, so many great
artist, we would love to be more included into the main stream arts &
culture scene.
What can we be doing better?
We could really use more financial support to make our work more
visible.
What: The Gala – Atlantic Flamenco Festival. Guest artist
feature.
When: Thursday October 8 at 8pm
Where: Spatz Theatre (Citadel High School Complex,
1855 Trollope Street, Halifax)
Tickets: $30-$50 online at FlamencoFestival.ca or
by phone at eTixNow call 1-877-ETIX-NOW. Discounts apply to students and
seniors.
