Flamenco Men II by Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company

Flamenco Men II, a fiery display of the masculine elegance and muscular dynamics of flamenco featuring Edwin Aparicio of the Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company and special guest artists from Spain.

GALA continues its ¡Viva los 40! anniversary season with its eleventh international Fuego Flamenco Festival that brings leading flamenco artists from Spain and the United States to Washington audiences. Praised for the presentation of stellar artists in an intimate tablao setting, the festival will run from November 6 through November 15 at the GALA Theatre.

The first show of GALA’s Fuego Flamenco: 11th Annual Flamenco Festival presents the Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company with their show Flamenco Men II. Edwin Aparicio, curator of GALA’s Fuego Flamenco since its inception, will lead his spirited troupe of dancers, cantaores, and guitarists in an exploration of the energy and style of flamenco combined with elements of his Latin American heritage. With fiery footwork and muscular grace, Aparicio demonstrates his highly polished technique and innovative choreography.

Flamenco Men II features dancers Aparicio and renowned bailaores Domingo Ortega and Ivan Vargas from Spain. Other artists appearing are dancers Norberto Chamizo from Granada, Spain and Carlos Menchaca from San Antonio, Texas; singers Curro Cueto from Spain and Hector Marquez from El Salvador; and guitarist Ricardo Marlow and percussionist Behzad Habibzai from Washington, D.C. Each artist brings his unique talent to the richness of what it means to be a man in flamenco.

Edwin Aparicio is one of the most sought-after flamenco performers, instructors and choreographers in the United States and Latin America. Described by critics as “the most amazing dancer seen in years,” having “hellfire footwork” and choreographies with “beautiful, evocative imagery,” he trained with world renowned flamenco artists Tomás of Madrid and “La Tati.”

Featured guest dancer Domingo Ortega is from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, where he began his professional career. He has performed with the companies of Carmen Cortés, Manuel Soler, and Cristina Hoyos, among others. As a soloist, he has appeared with the Albarizuela Ballet and the companies of Antonio Vargas, El Güto, and Luis Dávila. Mr. Ortega also has toured with his own company throughout Spain and to Italy, Japan, Venezuela, Israel, Senegal, Brazil, and the United States. He has appeared in several flamenco festivals and in many tablaos in Madrid, including Café de Chinitas, Zambra, Casa Patas, and El Cordobés. Among his honors are the Copa Teatro Pavón for young performers, and the Best Flamenco Dancer Prize at the national competition of Ubrique in 1989 and Cadiz in 1990.

Featured guest dancer Iván Vargas was born in Sacromonte, Spain and is a member of the prominent family of flamenco artists, Los Mayas. He made his debut at the age of eight at the prestigious tablao Zambra in Madrid. Since then he has performed in many other tablaos, including Casa Patas, Corral de la Pacheca, and Café de Chinitas. Mr. Vargas also appeared in the flamenco productions La Pasión, Contrastes, Cautivo, El nacimineto, El flamenco de un marginado, Coral del carbón, and Muerte en Granada. He appears in the video Furia Maya and the documentary Siete sentimientos flamencos. Mr. Vargas was featured in Fuego Flamenco X.

Dancer Norberto Chamizo has performed as a soloist with the Compañía Flamenca Tomás de Madrid, with which he toured extensively throughout Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic States. He also performed in Greece, Italy, Egypt, and Portugal as a soloist with Compañía de Madrid. In 2002, Mr. Chamizo formed his own company debuting with Jaleo, his first work as a director and choreographer. Mr. Chamizo also has performed at the legendary tablaos Casa Patas with Carmela Greco and Café de Chinitas with Pepa Carrasco. He has appeared with Flamenco Aparicio Dance Company in several Fuego Flamenco festivals. Mr.Chamizo comes from a family originally from Granada, Spain.

Showtimes

• On Friday, November 6, 2015 at 8 pm. Artist reception night.
• On Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 8 pm.
• On Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 2 pm.