Generations of Gypsy Flamenco Dance at the 2015 Festival Festival Flamenco Gitano

The 10th Annual Bay Area Flamenco Festival presents Generations of Gypsy Flamenco: Gema Moneo, Pepe Torres & Concha Vargas.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Bay Area Flamenco Festival/Festival Flamenco Gitano, this gala event features three extraordinary dancers from Spain, each representing a different generation, a different pueblo and a different approach to Gypsy flamenco dance.

An icon of Gypsy flamenco dance, Concha Vargas, the elder of the three, is a living legend representing the Golden Age of flamenco in Andalucia. Rooted in the traditions of Lebrija –a small town that has made an enormous mark on flamenco history. Her dance is based on two central tenants of Gypsy flamenco: improvisation and expression. Whether on stage or in a family celebration among fellow Gypsies, she pulls out all the stops, revitalizing and reinventing her cultural legacy without an ounce of artifice, making each one of her performances an unforgettable experience for all audiences.

Widely celebrated for his extraordinary depth in the Gypsy dance tradition, Pepe Torres is a polyrhythmic powerhouse whose superb footwork provided the main percussive support for the award-winning ensemble Son de la Frontera. A direct descendant of legendary guitarist Diego del Gastor, Pepe is known as a sensitive dancer who exudes the essence of his heritage with unmistakable personality and strength.

The youngest of the three, Gema Moneo, niece of the famed singer El Torta, is from the legendary Moneo clan of Gypsy flamenco singers and guitarists in Jerez de la Frontera. At the age of 18 she joined Farruquito’s company and she also performs regularly with guitarist Diego del Morao among others. She has a keen ear and her feminine dancing style expresses all the strength and emotion of the cante jondo.

Featured world-class Gypsy flamenco musicians include singers Luis Moneo from Jerez de la Frontera and José Valencia from Lebrija, as well as guitarists El Perla and José Gálvez.

Generations of Gypsy Flamenco Dance

• Gema Moneo, Jerez de la Frontera
• Pepe Torres, Morón de la Frontera
• Concha Vargas, Lebrija
• Singers José Valencia & Luis Moneo
• Guitarists José Gálvez & El Perla