FRINGE '04: Desde Sevilla Flamenco Dance Co.

Flamenco Mosaic is a kaleidoscope of exciting old and new pieces by Desde Sevilla Flamenco Dance Company. This passionate local group has already captivated Wellington audiences with their authentic, but often avant-garde, flamenco performances.

Their sell-out shows, Desde Sevilla (James Cabaret 1999), Un, Dos, Trés – Flamenco Images (Bats Theatre 1999), Un, Dos, Trés…..y Cuatro – Flamenco Images (Bats Theatre 2000), Flamenco, The Fire of Spain (Circa 2000), Viva Flamenco (Rotorua Convention Centre 2000), Flamenco Fiesta (5 Cable Street.2000), Flamenco, The Fire of Spain (Wanganui Opera House 2001), The House of Bernarda Alba (5 Cable Street 2001) and Encuentros Flamencos – Flamenco Encounters (Rotorua 2002) boldly demonstrate a progression from raw, fiery, gypsy energy to powerful and sophisticated dance theatre, influenced by internationally-acclaimed flamenco maestro, Antonio Vargas.

Flamenco Mosaic will once again “push the boundaries”, with hot favourites from past shows plus sizzling new choreographies. Dancer Jessica Garland returns from her latest stint in Seville, having studied under some of Spain’s top dancers, including flamenco diva, Manuela Carrasco. Guitarist Mark Edwards and dancer Kathryn Taylor also bring new material and inspiration from Cadiz to this pièce de résistance.

This show, celebrating traditional and modern flamenco, will appeal to dance and music lovers of all kinds, with its rich and vibrant tapestry of rhythm and movement.

Since being formed in 1998, when most of its members returned from flamenco study overseas, Desde Sevilla Flamenco Dance Company has become the leading exponent of flamenco as a performance art in New Zealand. It is committed to presenting professional, progressive flamenco of an international calibre. The group is made up of 6 dancers and a guitarist, whose passion and dedication to this Spanish art form has taken them to Spain to study further – hence the group’s name, meaning from Seville, which is the heart of gypsy culture. As well as regular performances at Te Papa and other local venues, Desde Sevilla also teaches at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre in order to share their art with the community. The group’s 2 new members represent the growing talent and enthusiasm for flamenco in Wellington.

VENUE: Studio One, Wellington Performing Arts Centre, 36 Vivian Street, Wellington
DATES: Saturday 14 February 2004 at 8 PM and Sunday 15 February 2004 at 6 PM
PRICES: Waged $22, Unwaged/Children/Groups of 10 or more $20, Fringe Friends $18
BOOKINGS: Ticketek (04) 384 3840

Personal Biographies

Mark Edwards (Te Arawa, Ngati Tura) is in his 21st year of playing flamenco guitar and accompanying dancers. He has studied under eminent Spanish guitarists El Marote, Juan Gabriel, Carlos Heredia and Jesús Alvarez. A career highlight for him as to perform at the New Zealand pavilion at the 1992 Expo in Seville. Mark was born in Wellington, where he teaches and performs flamenco regularly.

Helene Garland has learnt, performed and danced flamenco for 22 years in Palmerston North and throughout New Zealand. She was a founding member of the Palmerston North group, Fiesta Flamenca. Helene has studied in Spain in 1992 and 1998 and enjoys sharing her passion with Wellingtonians.

Jessica Garland has studied dance since the age of 5 and was introduced to flamenco through her mother’s interest. In 1997 she was determined to travel to Spain to immerse herself in the flamenco culture and returned again earlier this year. She has studied under leading artists Juana Amaya, El Torombo, Adella Campallo, Saraya and Manuel Betanzos, the Manolo Marín and Mario Maya Dance Academies and Manuela Carrasco.

Jill Tanner-Lloyd has been involved in flamenco for 21 years, initially learning all that she could in New Zealand before moving to England in 1985. Whilst living in London, she studied under two experienced teachers and performed in Britain. She made several trips to Madrid, Jeréz and Seville to further her studies, drawing most of her inspiration from Seville. She is a dedicated teacher and performer in Wellington.

Jamie King (Nga Ruahine, Te Ati Awa) is in his ninth year of flamenco dancing. He began learning flamenco in Wellington and went on to perform with Wellington and Palmerston North groups. Jamie initially travelled to Spain in 1998 and studied flamenco for seven months in Seville and Granada. He has been back to Spain since then to experience major flamenco events, but recently returned to Wellington to continue his post-graduate studies.

Kathryn Taylor has been studying and performing flamenco for 5 years and was greatly inspired by a course of study under Maria del Mar Moreno and Tibu La Tormenta in Jeréz last year. She is already enjoying teaching beginners’ classes and is keen to return to Jeréz, where she enjoys the gypsy style.

Tracy Mihaere (Ngti Kahungunu) has shone under Desde Sevilla tutelage over the past 2 years and is already a great asset to the group. Her goal is to further her study of flamenco in Spain as soon as possible.