Siempre Flamenco

Siempre Flamenco returns to Arts Garage with a powerful new show featuring an international cast of flamenco musicians and dancers. From the joyous Guajiras and Tanguillos, to the lament of the Soleares and the compelling Alegrias, the trilogy of guitar, song and dance is in constant dialogue, and the spontaneity of conversation is interpreted by the intricate rhythms of flamenco. Moving and mesmerizing, the passion that emanates from flamenco song unites with the intricate fury of dance in an unforgettable performance. PERFORMER BIO: Siempre Flamenco, Inc was founded in 2002 by Celia and Paco Fonta as a not-for-profit corporation with the purpose of promoting awareness and preservation of the art and traditions of Flamenco. With year-long programs fit for many diverse audiences, and performances in Libraries, Schools, Hispanic Heritage Festivals, Street Fairs, and Concert Performances throughout Florida, Siempre Flamenco does its utmost to enrich the cultural community through Flamenco. In March of 2006, Siempre Flamenco produced the 1st Festival of Cante Flamenco in Miami, to celebrate the cultural heritage of flamenco song and dance. Many styles of Cante Flamenco are seldom heard outside of Andalusia. This traditional festival is one way to help preserve, maintain and pass down to future generations this beautiful art form. This year marks the 17th edition of this annual Festival which has gained international recognition as the only one of its kind in the United States. It is the goal of Siempre Flamenco to continue quality programming throughout all of Florida and the United States with cultural and educational programs aimed at promoting and preserving the art and tradition of flamenco music and dance. Paco Fonta, Musical Director and Guitarist: Paco Fonta is internationally recognized as a foremost flamenco guitarist, singer, and composer. He has been praised as an accomplished singer of Cante Jondo, the most authentic, profound, and difficult of the flamenco styles. Born in a small town near Jaen in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, he learned to sing flamenco from the town’s traditional musicians. He began his professional career performing in tablaos and festivals accompanying singers and dancers. Paco Fonta is the recipient of the Florida Folk Heritage award. This prestigious award is the state’s highest honor for folk and traditional arts and “recognizes the state’s most influential tradition bearers for excellence, significance, and authenticity.” Mr. Fonta has twice been a recipient of the Florida Folk Life Apprenticeship Program as a Master Artist. As a composer, he has collaborated on writing dance music for Siempre Flamenco, Ballet Flamenco la Rosa, and Ensemble Español. Mr. Fonta has recorded with many prominent artists, including Gloria Estefan, Olga Tañon, and David Bisbal. He also works with several flamenco dance companies in the U.S. and abroad as musical director, most notably the Ensemble Español of Chicago. Celia Fonta, Artistic Director and Dancer: Celia Fonta is a native of Chicago, where she first studied flamenco guitar before beginning her career in dance. She began her studies of Flamenco, Spanish Classical and Folkloric dance in Madrid at the world famous dance studio Amor de Dios. Celia Fonta is a recipient of the prestigious Florida Folk Heritage award. She has been a recipient of the Florida Folk life Apprenticeship Program as Master Artist, and has received an Individual Artist Fellowship Award from the State of Florida. Ms. Fonta has been a guest artist and teacher in flamenco workshops and concerts all over Florida and the United States. She was adjunct instructor of Spanish dance at Florida International University for five years. Currently, Ms. Fonta teaches private lessons by appointment. As Artistic Director of Siempre Flamenco, Ms Fonta has produced and choreographed the Festival of Flamenco Song for the past sixteen years, as well as numerous shows, both traditional and experimental. Notable fusion shows include Mojito Andaluz, a fusion of flamenco and Afro-Cuban music and dance, Flamenco Sephardit, a program exploring the connections between Ladino and Flamenco, Beats and Compas, a hip-hop and flamenco experimental dance concert, and the highly successful FlamenJazz Jam. Traditional shows include Mirada Flamenca, Furia de Color Flamenco and Viñetas de Verano Carmen Garza was born in Venezuela and was entranced by flamenco from an early age. She went to Madrid and studied at the world famous “Amor de Dios” flamenco studio in Madrid. She considers Maria Magdalena, “La China”, and Domingo Ortega her greatest teachers. She has shared the stage with great artists like Domingo Ortega, Maria Juncal, Alfonso Losa, Farruquito, Adrián Galia, La Truco, Cristian “El Truco”, Flavio Rodrigues, Diego Villegas and more in stages all over the world, including Spain, Holland, Belgium, United States, Guatemala, and Panama. Currently, she shares her knowledge and the experience as an artistic director with her own company, and is dedicated to teaching and performing in different spaces and productions in Miami, Florida. BAND MEMBERS: Paco Fonta – Flamenco Guitar and Voice Celia Fonta – Flamenco Dancer 2nd Musician – Jose Cortes Panzekito Dancer – Carmen Garza 3rd Dancer- Liliana de la Caridad TICKETS