Roots of Flamenco
Roots of Flamenco
Directed by Espiritu Gitano (Arturo Martínez)
Musicians: Jose Ramos, Tom Chess, Sean Kupiz, Espiritu Gitano
Dancers: Najma Ayashah, Elena Lentini, Maya De Silva
Singers: Barbara Martinez, Alfonso Cid, Sholeh Dalai
Sunday, October 28th, 2012, 7 pm
Faison Firehouse Theatre
6 Hancock Place, Harlem, NYC
(Off 124th St., btw/ Morningside & St. Nicholas Aves.)
5, 00, 50
New York, NY, October 11, 2012 - Lotus Music & Dance is pleased to present Roots of Flamenco on October 28th at Harlem’s Faison Firehouse Theatre as part of their three part benefit performance series – Lotus Brings Dancing Across Cultural Borders to Harlem. This fiery show, directed by seasoned New York City based Flamenco guitarist Espiritu Gitano (Arturo Martinez), will feature music and dance from the many cultures, such as Spanish, Indian and Persian, that have blended to create the defiant art form of Flamenco. Bringing together a varied group of master artists, Roots of Flamenco will highlight the differences and similarities between these cultures and their performance styles. Proceeds from the event will go towards Lotus’ Arts In Education programs, which bring music and dance from around the world to thousands of children in the tri-state area, many from New York City schools in underserved communities. In addition to Roots of Flamenco, Lotus will present two additional benefit performances: Traditional Burmese Dance: Excerpts from the Ramayana (November 11th) and Magic of Polynesia (December 16th). Tickets for each program are 5 (performance only), 00 (cocktail hour, performance), and 50 (cocktail hour, performance, reception) and may be purchased by calling 212.627.1076 or by visiting www.lotusmusicanddance.org/
Espiritu Gitano (Arturo Martínez) began playing the electric guitar at the age of 13 and was eventually drawn to Flamenco because of its Gypsy, Arab and Jewish influences. He has accompanied such famous artists as Jose Molina, Jose Greco, Chuni Amaya, Joaquin Fajardo, Concha Vargas, as well as Maria Alba, Pilar Rioja and Andrea Del Conte. He produces the annual New York Flamenco Festival at the Thiasos Restaurant in New York City, and was a consultant and co-producer for World Music Institute's two concerts of Traditional Flamenco music with renowned artists El Torombo and Concha Vargas.
Lotus Music & Dance, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in 1989 by master Bharata Natyam dancer Kamala Cesar. It is a performance space, sanctuary, and center of education for traditional and indigenous performing arts forms. The mission is to keep alive and accessible the music and dance traditions of all world cultures. Lotus Music & Dance remains the only institution of its kind in New York City where master artists from India, Korea, Burma, China, the South Pacific, Middle East, the Mohawk Nation, West Africa, and Spain collectively call home. Aside from our varied schedule of unique, multicultural performances, we offer instruction in traditional ethnic forms of dance and music as well as Arts-In-Education programs to schools throughout the tri-state area. Lotus Music & Dance also presents Manhattan's only open air pow wow, the annual Drums Along the Hudson®: A Native American Festival, now approaching its eleventh year.
