Brilliant. Captivating. Explosive. Passionate. Flamenco is a dance form like no other.
Experience the Spanish tradition in person when The Elizabeth Theater presents Duendeando, Saturday May 19. Duendeando features Valeria Montes, who will be accompanied by some of the most renowned U.S. and Spanish flamenco artists, including Jesus Munoz, guitarist Jose Vega Jurado and the voice of Jose Cortes.
Tickets are $20 and are available by calling the Elizabeth Theater Box Office at (313) 444-2294 or emailing tickets@parkbardetroit.com. The Elizabeth Theatre is located above the Park Bar, 240 Park Avenue (at Elizabeth Street), downtown Detroit. The box office is open Thursday through Tuesday from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m.
When fans and critics talk about Valeria Montes (aka “La Chispa” or “The Spark”) they use words like “mesmerizing” and “beauty in motion.” Trained in her native Mexico, Spain and the United States “La Chispa”, a 2010 Kresge Artist Fellow, is known for her passionate and graceful interpretation of flamenco cante (song) and for the fireworks of her complex rhythmic zapateado (footwork). “La Chispa” presents her newest production, Duendeando, accompanied by some of the most renowned U.S. and Spanish flamenco artists.
Jesus Munoz has developed a national reputation as a sought after Flamenco teacher and performer. Jesus has trained at the National Conservatory of Flamenco, University of New Mexico, Juana Amaya (considered one of the most powerful and charismatic dancers in modern day flamenco by Flamenco-World.com) and Trombo. He worked for five years with Yjastros Dance Company of Alburquerque and later served as a choreographer for the international company, Maria Benitez’s Teatro Flamenco. For six years he was the “artist-in-resident” for the New York City Company, Carlota Santana’s Vivo Flamenco. Jesus has shared the stage with Chuscales, Jason McGuire, Yaelisa, Jose Vega, Jesus Montoya, Antonio de Triana, Juan Sivi, Carmelo Picon, Jose Farrina, El Yi Yi, Antonio Hidalgo, Chayito Champion, Vicente Griego, Ricardo Anglada, Calvin Hazen, Felix de Lola, Javier Navarro, Juan Siddi, Julia Chacon, Joaquin Gallegos, Meagan Chandler and many more.
Jose Cortes Fenandez was born in the south of France in 1974 from an important gypsy family from Almeria. At the age of ten, Jose began his career in Jerez de la Frontera where he won the “premio del joven aficionado del cante flamenco” accompanied on guitar by Terremoto hijo. He was immersed in the world of Flamenco with the greatest artists, such as Terremoto, Pansequito, Camaron de la Isla, Moraito Chico and Tomatito. Since then, he has shared the stage with the best artists, including Belen Lopez, Alfonso Losa, Sergio Arranda, Manuel de la Malena, Juan Ogalla, Javier Serrano, Joselito Vega, Maria del Mar Moreno, Antonio de la Malena, Mara Martinez, Andres Pena, Pilar Ortega, Antonio “el Titi,” Juan Carmona, Isabel Gazquez and Manuel Gutierrez. He has sung for the worships of Camen Ledesma, Israel Galvan, Angelita Gomez and Javier Latorre. In 2010, he moved to the United States and now works with many amazing artists such as Jason McGuire, Ricardo Diza (and on his record Traversura), Yaelisa “Camino Flamencos”, Carola Zertuche “Teatro Flamenco”, Fanny Ara, Melissa Cruz, Cristina Hall, Jesus Munoz, Jesus Montoya, Antonio de Jerez and Pedro Cortes.
Jose Vega Jurado’s passion for flamenco began as a young child, in his hometown of Cadiz, Spain. At age 16, Jose began performing in the flamenco clubs and concert halls of Cadiz, and throughout Andalusia. Jose has performed in the most prestigious “penas” (flamenco clubs) and “tablaos” (concert halls) throughout Spain, including Pena la Perla de Cadiz (Cadi) and Tablao Cordobes (Barcelona). In 2004 Jose organized and directed his own show “Flamencos de Cadiz” at Casa Patas, one of the most important flamenco tablaos in all of Spain. The show was such a success that he was invited back, and directed a second show in 2005. Jose Vega has worked and performed with some of flamenco’s top artists including Andres Pena, Marco Flores, Camen Jara, Sara Salado, Raul Ortega, Maria Mezcle, Miguel Tellez, Jesus Montoya, Jose Cortes, Manuel Gutierrez and Cristo Cortes. In 2006 Jose moved to Canada and since then has been sharing his knowledge and passion for authentic flamenco with the North America public. Over the past five years he has collaborated with many different flamenco companies across North America including the Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company (Toronto), Flamenco Dance London (London, Ontario) The Maria Osende Flamenco Company (Halifax), Mektoub Flamenco (Montreal), Mozaico Flamenco Dance Theatre (Vancouver), Alma Flamenca (Saskatoon), Annette Morcos Flamenco Company (Calgary), La Chispa and Company (Detroit) and Jesus Munoz Flamenco (Albuquerque).
For more information, please call (313) 444-2294 or visit the Park Bar web site at www.parkbardetroit.com.