5 REASONS TO SEE ...
The other VIFF (the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival): Shawn Conner lays out why you don’t want to miss it.
1. La Moneta.
This year’s festival, the 27th, marks the local debut of La Moneta. Hailing from Granada, Spain, Fuensanta “La Moneta” is a master of the intricate flamenco rhythm known as compás. La Moneta the ensemble consists of dancer/choreographer Fuensanta, singers (“cantaors”) Juan Ángel Tirado and Sergio Gómez, and guitarist Luis Mariano. (Vancouver Playhouse, Sept. 23)
2. Christina Tremblay.
The Quebec dancer, formerly part of the folk group Les Farandoles, trained in Spain with several flamenco greats. She performs Puro Sentimiento along with dancers Michelle Zaharik and Sula Boxall, singer Stephanie Pedraza, and guitarist Marek Wojtaszek. (Waterfront Theatre, Sept. 20)
3. Calle Verde.
The Vancouver trio (guitarist, dancer, singer) finds the crossroads between traditional flamenco and other genres, including rock, samba, jazz and Celtic music. On the same bill as Tremblay, they’ll perform their work liminal, which features music inspired by Brazilian artists Baden Powell, Lenine and Hector Villa Lobos.
4. Fin de Fiesta.
Based in Seville, Spain, Fin de Fiesta is led by Lia Grainger, along with fellow Canadians Dennis Duffin on guitar and Lara Wong on flute. They perform their touring show Liandolo. (Waterfront Theatre, Sept 21)
5. Free workshops.
Learn to dance flamenco (there’s a seniors’ class too), check out the Flamenco For Children show (Waterfront Theatre, Sept. 24), or learn from the masterful La Moneta (Centro Flamenco, Sept. 24)