YAELISA & CAMINOS FLAMENCOS OPENS FALL SEASON WITH “FLAMENCO PÁ DOS” (FLAMENCO FOR TWO) New program features Yaelisa in solo and duet with partner & guest artist, Juan Ogalla
Friday, October 28, 2005, 8pm – Marin Showcase Theater| Avenue of the Flags| San Rafael Tickets: $35 | 415.499.6800 | www.ticketweb.com Saturday & Sunday, October 29 & 30th - The Cowell Theater| Landmark Bldg A| Ft. Mason Saturday, 8pm| Sunday, 2pm & 7pm Tickets: $35, $25 students & seniors; $15 children (12 & under)| 415.345.7575 www.ticketweb.com
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – August 22, 2005 – The riveting sights and sounds of flamenco by Yaelisa & Caminos Flamencos, the nation’s premier contemporary flamenco company, will fill the air in a spectacular display of Spain’s revered dance form this fall in both San Francisco and the North Bay. Company director and renowned flamenco artist, Yaelisa, will, for the first time, present an all-Spanish company for her fall season premiere of “Flamenco Pá Dos.” “Flamenco For Two,” represents a departure for Yaelisa in that she returns to a focus on her own dancing in solo and in duet with her dance partner, Juan Ogalla. The two dancers, in collaboration with a brilliant group of musicians and singers, will create a raw, electrifying dynamic with lots of improvisation. Exciting, intimate, and breathtakingly energetic, the performances take place FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28TH (Marin Showcase Theater, San Rafael) and SATURDAY & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29TH, AND 30TH (Cowell Theater, Fort Mason.) For more information visit the website www.caminosflamencos.com
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS – “Flamenco Pá Dos” features the superb and immense talents of two principal dancers – Yaelisa, founder and Artistic Director of Yaelisa & Caminos Flamencos, and her partner, guest artist, Juan Ogalla. In “Flamenco Pá Dos,” Yaelisa has returned to a focus on her own dancing. “’Flamenco Pá Dos’ is a departure for me in its powerful simplicity,” said Yaelisa recently. “It’s very flamenco and will feature several new pieces in solo and duet with my partner Juan, creating a cohesive and intimate evening of dance. Juan is a fabulous and appealing dance partner, and accompanied by our superb musicians, we will literally fly.” Juan Ogalla made his professional debut in 1983 at the age of eleven at the Gran Teatro Falla de Cadiz in Cadiz, Spain. Since that time, he has toured the world appearing with many of Spain's finest artists including Christina Hoyos, Manuel Morao, Maria Pagés and Beatriz Martin. In 1992 he joined the Ballet Christina Hoyos, and performed with her as a soloist and dance partner until 2000. In 1992, Juan was awarded the 2nd prize Nacíonal de Baile Flamenco from the Peña Flamenca de Huelva. In 2000, he toured Japan and choreographed for Yoko Komatsubara, and has recently appeared in New York at Hunter College in "Andalucia Lejana y Flamenco Sensacíonal," produced by Ms. Komatsubara. In 2001, Juan also collaborated with producer Olympia Estrella in the production of "Flamenco Blue Impressions," a blending of tap, jazz and flamenco, at the 42nd Street Theater in New York which received rave reviews. MUSIC – Returning to the company after eleven years and replacing longtime Music Director Jason McGuire, “El Rubio,” will be one of Spain’s most brilliant guitar virtuosos, Granada-born Chuscales (Jose “Chuscales” Valle Fajardo.) Chuscales is internationally recognized as one of the new breed of flamenco guitarists whose fiery, lightning-fast technique and outstanding guitar prowess have catapulted him into new territory with flamenco guitar. Singers Manuel de la Malena, from Jerez, and Jesus Montoya, from Sevilla, will help rock the house with their rousing vocal styles and dynamic presence. Montoya, a powerhouse voice, is called the “Spanish Pavarotti” for his sheer vocal prowess. Multi-talented singer/percussionist ‘El Yiyi’ will round out the musicianship for the performances.
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YAELISA -- Yaelisa & Caminos Flamencos was founded by Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer Yaelisa, widely regarded as one of the most gifted flamenco artists of her generation. Reared by a Spanish flamenco artist, Yaelisa’s unique improvisational talents were visible from an early age. Since 1990, Yaelisa has spent time living and working in Spain and has performed with many of Spain’s finest artists, including Antonio el Pipa, Alejandro Granados, Enrique “El Extremeño,” Yeye de Cádiz, Antonio Malena, Juan Ogalla, Jose Anillo and others. As a solo artist and with her company, Yaelisa has toured and performed in Japan, Europe, Mexico and throughout the U.S. In 1996 she created a base of operations in the San Francisco Bay Area where she continues to choreograph, develop and train dancers. She is the founder and Artistic Director of internationally renowned New World Flamenco Festival presented every year at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine, California; her work has been commissioned by modern dance companies; she was the only American choreographer among 11 chosen to present her choreography at the prestigious Certámen de Coreografia in Madrid; and is one of only two flamenco artists ever to have received an Emmy Award for Choreography. Most recently, Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos were the recipients of the 2005 Isadora Duncan Dance Award for artistic excellence in the category of Best Company Performance, for “Mujeres.”
