Happy New Year! We can’t believe that we are only 17 days away from the 25th Anniversary Edition of DanceWeekend!
Today we would like to introduce Ritmo Flamenco! They will be kicking off the show on Friday January 19 at 7pm!
Find out more about them:
1. Can you tell us a little bit about your company/collective/school?
The Ritmo Flamenco Dance and Music Ensemble was formed in 1995 by Valerie Scannura (Artistic Director, choreographer) and Roger Scannura (Music Director, flamenco guitarist). Their daughter, Anjelica Scannura is Co-Artistic Director and is an award-winning choreographer and dancer. Since its inception, they have enthralled audiences in music and dance festivals worldwide. The company strives to create original concepts that weave seamlessly into their productions with artists they have mentored and trained and their school which provides a training ground in flamenco dance and guitar to students of all ages. The Scannura family are proud to have garnered a reputation for their authentic brand of flamenco that is true to its source – the Gitano culture and have spent their formative years in Spain absorbing the nuances of flamenco puro. “Flamenco concerts can sometimes be formulaic but Ritmo Flamenco refuses to fall into that trap”. Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail.
2. What will you be showing at DanceWeekend?
I have created a new work TEMPORADA. I have been interested in dancing to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons for some time and I have choreographed the Concerto No. 2 in G minor called “L’Estate” by Vivaldi, translated into the famous Summer movement. This work has withstood the test of time – it is one of Vivaldi’s most well-known works and is one of the first examples of program music which means, it tells a story and evokes a particular mood. I have related this line of poetry to my direct understanding of the music in the Concerto; “The fear of lightning and thunder robs his tired limbs of rest. The Heavens thunder and roar with hail”. These words speak in the language of flamenco which is always based on the poetic phrased that are turned into song. I’m also eager to integrate elements of stand-up comedy as a way of integrating all of my pursuits, experiences and feelings of the past year. The first piece in my 20-minute set is inspired by the oldest form of flamenco, the Soleares. Accompanied by Roger Scannura on flamenco guitar and Valerie Scannura who will be joining with percussion and singing, I will embody this deep-rooted form of “cante jondo” which is also referred to as the “Mother of Flamenco” and requires me to be deeply expressive and rhythmically complex.
3. Can you talk about your creative process? What inspires you?
When I am choreographing something outside the traditional realm of pure flamenco, I simply listen to the music for weeks out of enjoyment and wait for something to gestate. I have trained in many forms of dance and intend to use several styles of movement to articulate the passionate and rhythmical score of Vivaldi’s Concerto. The creative process for this has differed from the rest of my pieces; as I will be experimenting with mediums that seem mismatched, but that areactually part of a puzzle. Flamenco is a dance form the easily encompasses a broad range of movement and I want to illustrate the smooth evolution of styles to convey one ideology which is purely original. I also find that Vivaldi’s music is rhythmically complex and there are infinite possibilities to interpret his score.
4. Do you have any other up-coming performances/events you would like to share?
Ritmo Flamenco is thrilled to be featured in both a performance and workshop at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, Ontario on March 11, 2018 at 2:00pm. Their performance coincides with the Group of Seven Guitar Project and we will be giving a concert in the impressive anteroom which features a stunning backdrop of the forest, alongside a special exhibition of paintings by the Group of Seven and Thom Thompson. These masterworks in paint will inspire viewers to make a connection between art, music and dance. https://mcmichael.com/event/march-break-madness/
5. What is one thing you love most about your dance community?
There are many things I love about the Toronto dance community but one thing that is probably the most admirable is that it is so culturally diverse in a way that stimulates people of all ages, races and genders to partake in dance classes and workshops throughout the GTA. There are also many professional dance organizations that allow people to train and work with each other. Every week, you can see just about any type of performance taking place at the many venues we have here in Toronto. I have a deep respect for all artists, who constantly push themselves in every way to carve their unique voices.
6. What does performing at the 25th Annual DanceWeekend mean to you?
Performing in the 25th Annual DanceWeekend is an honor for me. It wasn’t that long ago when I was in the theatre watching my parents perform on that big stage in the late 1990’s. I couldn’t wait to be a part of the show! When I was sixteen, I made my debut on the DanceWeekend stage and every year I look forward to presenting something exciting and new. I find it is a great way to premier new works, hone my craft and work with expert lighting designers and technicians who are so supportive of the dancers. Thanks, Dance Ontario for all your support through the years!
7. What is one surprising/interesting fact about your company/collective/school?
I presently have my own TV show on ONETV called “Anjelica’s Dance Workout”. I was very excited to have been given the opportunity to create the show with the foundation being flamenco, bellydance, Irish and all the other dance styles I have performed in the past. I also wrote the script and gave it a comedic twist! We are proud that many of our students were chosen to be in the show and it also featured Roger Scannura’s music. I received a great review from John Doyle of the Globe and Mail. (Please see exerpt below).
There oughta be a law about Anjelica Scannura. She can frighten the life out of the sedentary. Watch Anjelica Scannura and suddenly you’re up on your hind legs doing shocking things, without even a doctor’s note to say you’re of sound mind and body to be attempting such things. – John Doyle, Globe and Mail.
Photo by: Iden Ford