The Flamenco Arts Festival will present the American premiere of Cádiz de la Frontera at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Lobero Theatre.
This unique flamenco production by Andrés Peña and Pilar Ogalla tells the story of their love for each other and for the cities they called home: Jerez de la Frontera and Cádiz, the festival organizers reported in a media release.
“While we have seen many outstanding productions in previous years, this will be one of those rare instances in which the lead artists take the passion, the agony and the exhilaration of their personal lives and offer it to the public in the form of flamenco,” Alberto Pizano, festival president and founder stated in the release.
As the centerpiece of the event, Cádiz de la Frontera will set the tone of this year’s Flamenco Arts Festival, which is scheduled to take place during Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Besides the fact that Peña and Ogalla are highly respected artists in Spain and around the world, I was very intrigued with the title of their production, Cádiz de la Frontera,” said Vibiana, the festival’s founder and artistic director. “Cádiz, known for its attractive vistas and historical landmarks, and Jerez de la Frontera, known for its wine, horses, and popular flamenco festival was an interesting concept. “
The Flamenco Arts Festival has a history of bringing the best of flamenco to Santa Barbara – such as the legendary Cristina Hoyos – and hosting productions that are at the forefront of modern flamenco, festival organizers reported. The first festival showcased the contemporary style of Nuevo Ballet Español in Flamenco Directo (2000); in 2005, Talent Danza Ballet Español performed the fusion piece Tango Flamenco; and in 2010, the innovative flamenco pianist Dorantes was joined by dancers Rosario Toledo and Joaquín Grilo in the spectacular production Open Piano to Toledo and Grilo.
Andrés Peña and Pilar Ogalla are sure to continue the Flamenco Arts Festival’s tradition of featuring flamenco artists of the highest caliber, festival organizers reported.
“The two bailaoras (flamenco dancers) are so different,” Vibiana said. “Peña is compact, intense, has strong footwork and is a master at bulerias. Pilar is the classic ‘la flamenca’ who displays a level of femininity yet is very strong and a classic dancer.”
Dancers will have the opportunity to experience these distinct styles firsthand in master class workshops held Sunday, Sept. 30. Peña’s class will explore the art of the bulerías displante, while Ogalla’s will focus on alegrias. Pilar Ogalla will also offer a tangos workshop for teens.
The festival’s 12th season began with the return of the Concierto Para los Niños at the Marjorie Luke Theatre in April. For the first time in the history of the production, the Concierto was recorded for television broadcast. It premiered Sunday, September 9th on KEYT Channel 3, and will be shown again later this fall.
“The Festival has been modified, expanded and refined with years of experience, which has permitted a more informed and mature selection of artists and ever more sophisticated productions,” Pizano said.
From the television broadcast of the Concierto Para los Niños to the gala performance of Cádiz de la Frontera, fans are sure to find the 12th season filled with the world-class flamenco they have come to expect from the Flamenco Arts Festival, organizers reported.
“The big thrill for me is the spontaneous standing ovations that audiences have given the Spanish flamenco artists,” Pizano said. “It tells me that we have succeeded.”
Tickets are available at the Lobero box office and online at Lobero.com. Prices range from $25 to $85.
Dancers can register for master classes through the Flamenco Arts Festival’s website at www.flamencoarts.org