- This event has passed.
Peña Flamenca at the Masque Theatre
23 Aug, 2012 - 1 Sep, 2012
The intimacy of the Masque Theatre is the perfect space for Peña Flamenca, La Rosa’s exciting new pure Flamenco production that features new choreographies and a rotating cast of soloists, giving audiences a fresh take on the structure and spirit of the performance each night.
A peña is a regular social get-together of a group of flamenco locals within a community where each participant has the opportunity to practice their art in a relaxed, informal, spontaneous context. Membership of peñas in Spain is often limited to people with an interest in and knowledge of flamenco, known as flamencos and aficionados, and it is a sought-after experience for those looking for a taste of authentic flamenco.
Highlights of this season include the two new pieces– the opening piece and a Fandangos de Huelva that have been facilitated by La Rosa’s Artistic Director Carolyn Holden, calling on the dancers to create short solos for themselves within each piece. There is enormous space for creativity and growth for the dancers, who, whilst improvising and choreographing, are responsible for their own connections with the singer and musicians onstage.
Dancers include Lisa Ventura, Luvuyo Simandla, Maria Cortes, Ndumiso Tafeni, Thandolwethu Sam, Ché Adams, and Deidré Jantjies. The musical ensemble is headed by Bienyameen Camroodien on Flamenco guitar, with Robert Davids on cajón and percussion, Robert Jeffrey on guitar and cello, Heather Roth on flute and saxophone, and the vocals of Loreán Swartz supported by a vocal ensemble drawn from members of La Rosa’s Vocational Training Programme.
La Rosa is South Africa’s premier professional Flamenco and Spanish dance theatre performance company, also teaching and training Spanish dance at Community, school, recreational, tertiary levels. In 1997 La Rosa established its Education and Skills Development Programmes, focusing on making flamenco accessible to the youth, developing the artistic and technical skills of potential professionals and growing audiences across the broader socio-economic spectrum. Flamenco was recently acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Intangible Heritage and La Rosa’s work in South Africa over the past two decades has contributed to making this rich art form a staple of the South African cultural landscape.
This production has been made possible with the support of the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund. La Rosa is also supported by National Arts Council, the Nussbaum Foundation, Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, the City of Cape Town, Debbie Goodman Foundation (Jack Hammer), Lorenzo and Stella Chiappini Charitable Trust, Business and Arts South Africa and The Foschini Group.
Peña Flamenca shows:
Wednesday to Friday at 8pm | Saturday at 2:30pm and 6pm | Sunday at 3pm.
Tickets cost from R55 to R65 with discounts for the Masque Theatre Club and booking via 021 788 1898 during office hours or email bookings@masquetheatre.co.za. Tickets are also available at www.webtickets.co.za
