Spanish dancer Carmela Greco to perform in Santa Fe
Spanish dancer Carmela Greco to perform in Santa Fe
Flamenco has deep roots in New Mexico. And it continues to find new generations of fans. New Mexicans will have an opportunity to see an iconic dancer from Spain who has a deep family history in flamenco.
Carmela Greco is the featured dancer in EmiArte Flamenco’s summer season, beginning Wednesday, June 28. The sessions runs through July 1 at Skylight.
“Carmela is my maestra,” says Emi Grimm, director of EmiArte Flamenco. “When I go to Spain to study, I live with her and learn. It’s a dream come true to have her perform with my company. I still can’t believe we are going to have her here.”
Traveling with Greco will be her guitarist, Antonio Gabarri Jiménez.
Also on the slate for the shows are Vicente Griego on cante, Grimm and Nevarez Encinias on baile and Flamenco Youth de Santa Fe.
“Having my youth group perform on the same stage as Carmela lets them gain more experience,” Grimm says. “The entire community has supported flamenco and my company since it began. None of this would be possible of the community didn’t come out to support our shows.”
Greco will also be pulling double duty as she will teach master classes at the Museum of International Folk Art.
“Since the mid-20th century, the name Greco has been synonymous with Spanish dance. The Museum of International Folk Art is honored to bring Carmela Greco from Spain as part of the exhibition Flamenco: From Spain to New Mexico,” says Nicolasa Chavez, Curator of Latino, Hispano and Spanish Colonial Collections.
The daughter of Flamenco legend Jose Greco will conduct a series of public programs, classes and performances in Santa Fe during a limited engagement from Tuesday, June 27 through July 1.
The roster of events includes beginning adult Flamenco classes, taught by Greco.
“Continuing the tradition of her father, Carmela Greco has performed, choreographed and taught flamenco in Spain and around the world,” Chavez says. “She joins us for a special week of flamenco dance and lessons in castanet technique for the novice and seasoned aficionado alike.”
Jiménez launches MOIFA’s summer series “Flamenco en Vivo” with live guitar in the “Flamenco: From Spain to New Mexico” gallery, included with museum admission 1-3 p.m., Wednesday,
June 28.
At 1 p.m. July 1, Greco will conduct a tour and talk in the gallery, “Flamenco: From Spain to New Mexico.” The price is included with museum admission.