Don't miss Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo's, Cuento Viejo on Saturday, May 23rd at 8pm and Sunday May 24th at 7pm at the historic Y-Zuzi! Theather!
Cuento Viejo is a unique flamenco theater production and the first of its kind in Tucson. Featuring flamenco dancers Mele and Jason Martinez, and several internationally renowned musicians, Cuento Viejo explores the identities of men and women and the relationship, contrast, and interaction between them through flamenco dance. Mele and Jason perform as soloists in a traditional flamenco style, but offer up experimentation in their duets, providing a unique flamenco theater event inspired by ancient narrative of gender origins and dynamics.
Mele and Jason draw from their experiences as soloists with the American Flamenco Repertory Company in Albuquerque, NM. Having met one another by way of a common passion while co-members of this professional company, Mele and Jason married in 2002 and relocated to Tucson, Mele's hometown, where they hope to tell their story and share flamenco with the Old Pueblo. This rare theater experience will showcase authentic "flamenco puro" in an intimate setting, with renowned musicians, Vicente Griego, Macarena Giraldez, Ricardo Anglada, and Misael Barraza-Diaz.
More about the Artists:
Jason Martinez, of Albuquerque, NM, is a sought after dancer and percussionist. He has performed and taught nationally and internationally, and is also a former member of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. He co-directs Flamenco Del Pueblo Viejo with Mele Martinez.
Melani “Mele” Martinez, a native of Tucson, AZ, has studied, taught, and performed flamenco for 16 years. She is a widely revered dancer and performer, and is a former soloist for the elite troupe, Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. She recently placed 3rd at the Concurso Nacional de Flamenco at Festival Flamenco Internacional 2008. Here in Tucson, she is Co-Director of Flamenco Del Pueblo Viejo.
Vicente Griego, "El Cartucho," from the Embudo Valley, New Mexico, has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America with the José Greco II Flamenco Dance Company where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso "Veneno" of Madrid, Spain. He also remains a pupil of acclaimed Granaino guitarist Chuscales with whom he performs weekly both locally and nationally. -"Vicente Griego 'El Cartucho' is striking for his deep sonorous wails that seem to come from a cavern, someplace deep within his soul..." -Anna Poplawska, Chicago Artist's News
Ricardo Anglada was born in Northern New Mexico, the birthplace of much of flamenco’s American heritage. He is the protégé of world-renowned guitarist Chuscales, and was the winner of the Concurso del Arte Flamenco at the early age of 17. Since that young age Ricardo has been touring the country as one of the art form’s premiere flamenco guitar accompanists with such notable groups as Flamenco Vivo with Carlota Santana and Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company.
Misael Barraza-Diaz, of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico has studied in Spain with award-winning flamenco guitarist, Oscar Herrero, and was recipient of the 3rd place prize in the III Concurso Internacional de Guitarra Flamenca Niño Ricardo. He is currently a music major at the University of Arizona and recently received 1st prize in the 21st Annual Leonard and David Schaeffer Memorial Guitar Competition.
Macarena Giraldez hails from Sevilla, Spain. Cultured in the art form since birth, Macarena is a talented self-taught flamenco singer and dancer who regularly performs at Tucson’s Spanish Restaurant, Casa Vicente.
You can buy your tickets now at:
http://www.tucsoniquete.com/buyclasses.cfm
Posts
