Ensemble dances into Penticton
Fin de Fiesta Flamenco coming to The Cannery Theatre Aug. 3 during 40-date Canadian tour
Direct from Spain, the Fin de Fiesta Flamenco dance and music ensemble stops in Penticton next month during its 40-date Canadian tour of Salvaje, which explores the wild, unrestrained side of one of the world’s most passionate and intense art forms: flamenco.
The searing vocals of Alejandro Mendia (Noces Gitanes, France) are accompanied by the intricate guitar arpeggios of Dennis Duffin (Ventanas, Canada) and the haunting flute melodies of Lara Wong (Vancouver/Madrid).
Dancer Lia Grainger (2017 Certamen New York International Flamenco Competition finalist) brings the stage to life with fierce and sensual choreographies and improvisations and Hanser Santos Gomez (Cuba) holds down the rhythm on cajon.
Though they come from France, Cuba, and Canada, Fin de Fiesta’s core members all live in Spain, collaborating with and drawing inspiration from the world’s best flamenco singers, dancers and guitarists.
“Many of the world’s top flamenco dancers are creating work that resembles contemporary or modern dance in many ways,” says Grainger.
“With this show, we’re going in the opposite direction, back to the traditional, wild, emotive roots of flamenco.”
The show’s name, Salvaje, means “wild,” and pays homage to flamenco’s rough-and-tumble origins.
“Flamenco wasn’t born in a theatre, it was born in the streets. It was the music and dance of the people,” says Grainger. “In Spain in many ways it still is. With Salvaje, we hope to bring some of that jubilant, untamed spirit back to Canada.”
Salvaje goes at the The Cannery Theatre in Penticton at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 3
Tickets cost $22 and are available at www.eventbrite.ca.
The Nest and Nectar restaurant will be hosting a special Spanish themed dinner before the show.