Our DanceWeekend’24 Artist Feature is ¡Arte Flamenco! as a part of our live mainstage performances at The Fleck Dance Theatre, Harbourfront Centre.
Sunday, January 28th 2024 1pm – 6pm – IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL
3:10 ¡Arte Flamenco! (Flamenco)
🔗 https://www.arteflamenco.com/
About ¡Arte Flamenco! :
Elena la Comadre:
Elena la Comadre is the artistic director for ꜟArte Flamenco! Originally formed to represent Spain during the CNE’s ‘Say Si to Spain’. From its conception in 1990, her goal was to present Flamenco dance keeping in the style of traditional Flamenco. In the late 90’s, ꜟArte Flamenco! embraced the idea of Flamenco dance theatre – whereby means of the dance, cante, guitar, and poetry – a story was portrayed. Themes that were chosen were profound in nature rooted in human experience. Mid years of 2000 marked a transition for La Comadre where she placed more focus on the school. From 2008 to 2019 her school presented annual concerts with tremendous success. The Covid years of 2020 -22 marked yet another major transition for her. With school doors closing, this isolation period propelled her to go inward rediscovering herself as a now much older and more wounded dancer striving to express her individuality through dance.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself/your company?
ꜟArte Flamenco! was originally formed to represent Spain during the CNE’s ‘Say Si to Spain’. From its conception in 1990, their goal was to present Flamenco dance keeping in the style of traditional Flamenco.
What will you be sharing at DanceWeekend’24?
Various Flamenco rhythms commencing with the more darker pieces and ending with a lively upbeat tempo. Pieces are Granainas, Martinete, Peteneras and Bulerias de Cadiz.
How has the pandemic shifted your work as a professional dance artist?
The Covid years of 2020 -22 marked yet another major transition for me. With school doors closing, I used this isolation period to go inward and in doing so rediscovering myself who was now much older and more wounded, but striving to express my individuality through dance. A portfolio of some of my work can be seen on the website. Entitled ROUGH CUTS, it is a journey of mostly improvisational dance set in a rough studio setting which allowed me to explore the devastating time of Covid. ROUGH CUTS | arteflamenco
Please share what you are most looking forward to at DanceWeekend?
DanceWeekend is not just a dance event. This festival gives us dancers, schools, companies the opportunity to express who we are. It is a privilege to be part of it once again. This DanceWeekend in particular is a ‘stepping out’ milestone after Covid.
Do you have any up-coming performances/workshops/events you would like to share?
Upcoming school concert March 16th. Trinity’s St. Paul. Limited tickets only.
In 1 or 2 sentences, what does dance mean to you?
The great Martha Graham once said “A dancer dies twice — once when they stop dancing, and this first death is the more painful.” And “Dance is a song of the body. Either of joy or pain.”
Stay Up to Date with ¡Arte Flamenco! at their social media links below: