On Saturday, September 27th, at 4:00 p.m., Ecos de España presents a program of Spanish classical and flamenco music and dance at the West Hollywood Library located at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles 90069. Dances that appear on the program will range from a classical Paso Doble, the dance of the bullfight, to the oldest, most emotionally profound of all flamenco rhythms, Seguirilla. The program, which is designed for all ages, will feature classical guitarist Pietro Ruscigno and Spanish flamenco dancers Susana Elena, Albertossy Espinoza, and guitarist/dancer team Paco Arroya and Yolanda Arroyo. The performance is FREE.
Ecos de España – Paco Arroya and Yolanda Arroyo – Photo by Sari Maki.
“The show features a flamenco guitarist as well as a solo classical guitarist, who plays a selection of the timeless compositions created for the Spanish guitar. During the course of the performance the audience will have the opportunity to learn how to move their arms and hands like flamenco dancers and clap to flamenco rhythm. At show’s end children and adults alike are invited onstage to join the performers in a fun, simple flamenco dance performed with a scarf. The performers invite the community to a meet & greet after the show, to participate in an introductory Spanish castanet class or learn basic flamenco dance steps. ” Ecos de España press release.
Ecos de España – Susan Elena – Photo by Tommy Xing.
Producer and Artistic Director Susana Elena is a classical Spanish and flamenco dancer who studied in Madrid, Jerez de la Frontera and Sevilla, Spain. Her Ecos de España: Spanish Classical & Flamenco Music & Dance was designed to be presented in schools, libraries and for family programming at theaters. Ecos de España was awarded a Visual & Performing Arts Standards (VAPA) certificate from the Los Angeles County Art Commission in 2007. Elena has also performed at numerous city arts and culture festivals, women’s and fraternal clubs, senior centers and restaurants and continue to volunteer teach at CoachArt. Her mission is “to make the arts a part of people’s lives for the skills they impart, the cultural knowledge they convey, and above all for the joy they bring.”
Ecos de España – Pietro Ruscigno – Photo by Ruscigno.
The great Spanish poet, playwright, and theatre director Federico Garcia Lorca, to whom this performance is dedicated, was born one June 5, 1898 in Fuenta Vaqueros, Spain. According to Wikipedia, his work was Influenced by such artists as Salvador Dalí, Luis Buñuel, and Lope de Vega. After spending a year in New York City Lorca returned to Spain and wrote his best-known plays, Blood Wedding (1932), Yerma (1934), and The House of Bernarda Alba (1936). He was assassinated on August 19, 1936 in Viznar, Spain in part for his politics, in part for his sexual orientation. Lorca was homosexual.
Ecos de España – Albertossy Espinoza – Photo by George Simian.
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WHO: Ecos de España: Spanish Classical & Flamenco Music & Dance, in collaboration with the West Hollywood Library and the City of West Hollywood’s Arts and Culture Commission.
WHAT: Ecos de España presents a program of Spanish classical and flamenco music and dance suitable for all ages. The audience will see a variety of different dances, ranging from a classical Paso Doble, the dance of the bullfight, to the oldest, most emotionally profound of all flamenco rhythms, Seguirilla. Each dance is briefly introduced with historical and cultural content. The show also features a flamenco guitarist as well as a solo classical guitarist, who plays a selection of the timeless compositions created for the Spanish guitar. During the course of the performance the audience will have the opportunity to learn how to move their arms and hands like flamenco dancers and clap to flamenco rhythm. At show’s end children and adults alike are invited onstage to join the performers in a fun, simple flamenco dance performed with a scarf. The performers invite the community to a meet & greet after the show, to participate in an introductory Spanish castanet class or learn basic flamenco dance steps.
WHERE: West Hollywood Library. 625 N. San Vicente Blvd, 90069
WHEN: Saturday, September 27th, at 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
COST: FREE
CONTACT: The West Hollywood Library at 310-652-5340.
PARKING: Validated parking in the library’s parking structure at 625 N. San Vicente Blvd.
MISSION: Making the arts a part of everyone’s lives is important for the skills they impart, the cultural knowledge they convey and, above all, for the joy they bring.
This program is generously funded by an arts grant from the City of West Hollywood.
To learn more about Susanna Elena, please visit her website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Festival.
Featured image: Ecos de España – Susanna Elana – Photo by Tommy Xing.
