| Featuring a dance form originally created by the gypsy communities of southern Spain (the Spanish Gitanos), Flamenco! 2 showcases a number of Calgary artists, including Francesca Canalizo, Tracy Cumberbatch, Graziella Terracciano, Rosanna Terracciano, and Edmontonian Jane Ogilvie. It is being presented by dancers (and sisters) Rosanna and Graziella Terracciano.
"It’s a series we started last year," says dancer and co-producer Rosanna Terracciano of the show. "We wanted to create opportunities for flamenco dancers. Last year it was dancers from Calgary and this year we’ve been able to bring an additional dancer from Edmonton. It’s creating an opportunity to show the sense of community that happens in flamenco."
"It’s a good jolt of energy for us to all dance together," adds co-producer and fellow dancer Graziella Terracciano, who notes flamenco is normally a solo art form, although the dancer communicates with the musicians onstage. "The dance is uniquely tapping into a very individual feeling," she says. "It’s very different to be able to be dancing next to somebody and tapping into it in the same way.
"It’s really, really reliant on watching and listening," she adds. "There’s a lot of communication going on. You feel the energy onstage when we’re all really open to what everyone’s doing."
This onstage communication is with guitarist David Matyas and Dwayne Engh on percussion/cajon. The dancers and guitarist have studied the art in Spain.
"There’s a constant communication with the musicians and the people clapping, so you’re never out there by yourself. It’s a nice balance, I think, for you to be able to be an individual but part of a group as well," Rosanna says, noting that, at different times, it is either the dancers or musicians who set the tempo.
"It goes back and forth. The more you work on a piece, the deeper you can get into it and see who’s in more control and at what points. It’s very interesting that way."
Flamenco! 2 plays at SAIT’s Orpheus Theatre on October 28 at 8 p.m. For tickets and information, visit www.pumphousetheatres.ca. |
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