Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Brings World Premiere to Harbourfront

From a media release:

ESMERALDA ENRIQUE SPANISH DANCE COMPANY
presents the world premiere of Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold
featuring the company with special guest artists from Spain
Thursday, November 25 to Sunday, November 28 at Fleck Dance Theatre, Toronto

Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold is a provocative and captivating evening of flamenco dance and music that reflects tradition and change in some of Spain's unique customs. This stellar company of Canadian and international artists presents its annual Toronto Season from Thursday, November 25 to Sunday, November 28 as part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps Dance Series at Fleck Dance Theatre.

Spain's FLAMENCO was just named a NATIONAL TREASURE by UNESCO.

In a timely coincidence, Toronto's ESMERALDA ENRIQUE is preparing her company - Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company - for its world premiere presentation next week of Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold.

The theme of Mirror of Gold fits right in with this wonderful designation: Expressive flamenco dance and music reveal a world of ritual and symbolism that celebrates Spain's cultural complexity, deeply rooted in the collective thoughts and feelings of its people - particularly in Andalusia, the geographic home and heartland of flamenco. The evolution of these traditions - from past to current times - will be explored in this passionate and inventive new work.

Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold features the company with special guest artists from Spain:
• the astonishing dancer/choreographer Juan Ogalla (Dora nominations for Outstanding Performance and Choreography),
• guitarist/composer  José Valle "Chuscales" (3 Dora nominations for Outstanding Original Sound Design/ Composition ); and
• 2 singers making their premiere with the company.
The evolution of some of Spain's unique customs - from past to current times of - will be explored in this passionate and inventive new work.

In the world premiere of Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold, choreographed by Esmeralda Enrique and Juan Ogalla with music composed and arranged by Nicolás Hernández and José Valle "Chuscales", expressive flamenco dance and music reveal a world of ritual and symbolism that celebrates Spain's cultural complexity, deeply rooted in the collective thoughts and feelings of its people - particularly in Andalusia, the geographic home and heartland of flamenco. The evolution of these traditions - from past to current times - will be explored in this passionate and inventive new work.

Esmeralda Enrique's company of fierce powerful dancers and consummate musicians are joined by guest artists from Spain: the astonishing Juan Ogalla returns from Cádiz after appearing in ¡LORCA!: In Search of Duende last year and garnering 2009 Dora Award nominations for Outstanding Performance and Outstanding Choreography (with Enrique) for the company's Cantos de la Tierra; composer/arranger José Valle "Chuscales" of Antequera returns after being nominated - with Nicolás Hernández - for a 2010 Dora Award for Outstanding Original Sound Design/Composition for ¡LORCA! as well as Cantos the previous year;  and extraordinary singers Niño de Elche and Manuel Soto join the company for the first time.

Choreographer, dancer and teacher Esmeralda Enrique, a multiple Dora Award nominee, has been a driving force of flamenco in Canada for the past 28 years as well as one of the most celebrated flamenco artists in the country.  With a history rooted in flamenco puro and a strong grasp of classical Spanish dance, her company is renowned for its innovation, versatility and artistic excellence that allows it to present both contemporary and/or classic forms.

Toronto Artists:
Esmeralda Enrique: Artistic Director, Choreo- grapher, Dancer
Paloma Cortés, Ángela del Sol, Ilse Gudiño, Noelia La Morocha: Dancers
Nicolás Hernández: Musical Director, Composer, Arranger, Guitarist (nominated three times for Dora Awards for Original Sound Design/Composition: ¡LORCA! last year, Cantos de la Tierra in 2009 and Esencia Flamenca in 2007 - all with guitarist José Valle "Chuscales".

International Guests from Spain:
Juan Ogalla from Cádiz: Choreographer, Dancer (nominated for two Dora Awards in the dance category, Original Choreography with Esmeralda and Outstanding Performance for Cantos de la Tierra)
José Valle "Chuscales" from Antequera: Composer, Arranger, Guitarist (who has worked with Enrique since they met in Spain in the 1970's); nominated for three Dora Awards as above with Nicolás Hernández.
Niño de Elche from Elche, Alicante and Manuel Soto from Jerez de la Frontera: Extraordinary singers who join the company for the first time.

Flamenco has shaped my life's history.  It is my great passion.  Through flamenco I find truth, beauty and goodness.
- Esmeralda Enrique

ESMERALDA ENRIQUE SPANISH DANCE COMPANY presents the world premiere of
Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold choreographed by Esmeralda Enrique and Juan Ogalla
part of Harbourfront Centre's NextSteps 2010-11
Thursday November 25 - Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday - Saturday at 8 PM, Sunday at 3 PM
Harbourfront Centre's Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queen's Quay West, 3rd Floor
Tickets: $25-$41 (Discounts for students, seniors, CADA and NextSteps subscribers)
Box Office:  416-973-4000 or visit www.flamencos.net

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