Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings their popular “Flamenco Passion” performances to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19. These performances will cap the company’s 46th multi-faceted American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 8-19).
After two years of dealing with challenging COVID protocols, Ensemble Español is excited to once again be able to feature a robust roster of dance and musical guest artists. Three of the guest artists are joining “Flamenco Passion” for the first time. They include award-winning Flamenco choreographer/performer La Lupi from Malaga Spain, Barcelona-born Flamenco performer/choreographer/educator Elisabet Torras Aguilera, 12-time Grammy winner, Diego “El Negro” Alvarez (percussionist) and Curro de Maria (guitarist and composer). Flamenco fans will have the opportunity to get to know La Lupi and Alvarez up close through the new symposium, “The Black and Brown Roots to Spanish Dance” (June 14-17) before experiencing their art on stage. Thanks to the series of Festival Spanish Dance (June 10-17) and Music classes (June 14-16), there will also be an opportunity to learn directly from these masters.
“It is always a pleasure working with our partners, Northeastern Illinois University, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Old Town School of Folk Music, Clinard Dance Theater and Dovetail Studios,” says Irma Suarez Ruiz, Ensemble Español Artistic Director and Jorge Perez, Executive & Associate Artistic Director. “They provide the environment for our amazing and talented dancers to help us show our work in the best light even through this pandemic helping us stay connected doing what we do best, dance, dance, dance! We look forward to once again meeting our audiences in person on stage and in the lobby after the performances.”
The program for the June 17-19 performances engagement will include the world premieres of “El Casorio” (The Wedding) by Ruiz and “Pasos Largos" (Long Steps) (Caña Flamenco style) by La Lupi. La Lupi will also perform the Chicago premiere of her works “Juanaca” (Flamenco cantiñas style) and “Airoso Fleco” (Airy Fringe) (Taranto style). Also included in the program: the world premiere of "Hable con ella" (Talk to Her) by Elisabet Torras Aguilera and the Chicago premiere of “La Resonancia del Alma” (Resonance of the Soul) performed and choreographed by José Moreno. Popular works from Ensemble Español’s repertoire will complete the program and include the dramatic excerpt “Dualia,” by Carlos Rodriguez, from the Ensemble’s Flamenco contemporary ballet “Mar de Fuego” (Sea of Fire), classical suite “El Baile de Luis Alonso” (The Dance of Luis Alonso) by Ruiz and the folkloric suite “Alma de Aragon” (Soul of Aragon) by Paco Alonso with guest tenor, Luis Galvez.
The full list of guest musical artists in the program: Diego “El Negro” Alvarez, percussionist (Venezuela/California); Luiz Galvez, tenor (Peru/Chicago); Curro de Maria, flamenco guitarist and composer (Malaga); Paco Fonta, Flamenco singer/guitarist (Jaen/Miami); José Moreno singer, guitarist and percussionist, dancer, singer (Madrid, Malaga, New York), and David Chiriboga, Flamenco guitarist (Ecuador/Chicago).
Tickets
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, presents the 2022 Flamenco Passion performances at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Tickets are $20-$50. To purchase tickets and for more information visit northshorecenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.
Preceding the Friday, June 17 performance there will be a Meet the Artists VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on the 2nd level, $65. To purchase tickets and for more information visit northshorecenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.
The “Flamenco Passion” performances are part of the American Spanish Dance and Music Festival which also features these related events:
Duende Flamenco Concert Kick-Off
- 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 8
- At Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
This event, part of the Old Town School of Folk Music’s World Music Series features performances by La Lupi, Curro de Maria, Paco Fonta, José Moreno and David Chiriboga.
For tickets or more information visit oldtownschool.org/concerts/2022/06-08-2022-wmw-ensemble-espanol/
Symposium: “The Black and Brown Roots to Spanish Dance”
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Tuesday, June 14: African American Roots
Symposium with La Lupi moderated by Jorge Perez; Lunch Symposium with Otis Sallid; Panel Discussion with Diego “El Negro” Alvarez, Yinka Esi Graves and Miguel Ángel Rosales, moderated by Sarita Connelly
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, June 15: Mexican American Roots
Film Screening & Discussion with Gurumbe and Symposium with Miguel Ángel Rosales moderated by Pepe Vargas; Panel Discussion with Irma Suarez Ruiz, Briseyda Zarate, Juan Dies, Jose Luis Ovalle moderated by Carlos Cardenas
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday, June 16: Puerto Rican American Roots
Symposium with Dr. K. Meira Goldberg moderated by Lauren Warnecke; Panel Discussion with Brenda Torres-Figueroa, Tito Rodriguez and Jorge Perez moderated by Cesar Rolon
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday, June 17: Caribbean & South American Roots
Symposium with Yinka Esi Graves and Diego “El Negro” Alvarez, moderated by Erin Harkey; Lunch Symposium with Dr. Brenda Dixon Gottschild; Panel Discussion with Dr. Gloria Gibson, Patricia Ortega, Orbert Davis, Dr. Brenda Dixon Gottschild and Dr. K. Meria Goldberg.
Free admission ($10 suggested donation). All events take place at Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis, Chicago. To register and for more information, visit EnsembleEspanol.org or email kim@ensembleespanol.org.
Festival Spanish Dance Classes at Northeastern Illinois University Dance Studios
- 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Building J
- Friday, June 10-Friday, June 17
Featuring guest artists La Lupi, José Moreno, Briseyda Zarate, Elisabet Torras Aguilera and Claudia Moreno
Classes range from beginner to professional level. To register or for more information visit EnsembleEspanol.org.
Flamenco Guitar and Percussion Classes at Northeastern University Dance Studios
- 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Building J
- Tuesday June 14-Thursday, June 16
Featuring guest artists guitarist Curro de Maria and percussionist Diego “El Negro” Alvarez
Classes range from beginner to professional level. To register or for more information visit EnsembleEspanol.org.
About Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
Ensemble Español, is a not-for-profit arts organization. As with many artists and arts organizations around the world, the impact of the COVID-19 virus is creating a significant financial challenge for the company. For more information, visit EnsembleEspanol.org.
Ensemble Español, founded in 1976 by artistic director Dame Libby Komaiko (1949-2019), is the premiere Spanish dance company and center in the U.S. with a professional and unique residency at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. Under the artistic direction of Irma Suarez Ruiz and executive leadership of Jorge Perez, company successors, the Ensemble continues its mission of preservation, presentation and promotion of Spanish dance and culture which also includes the exploration of the country’s history in the; Flamenco, Folkloric, Classical and Escuela Bolera styles and identifies its influence on Latin American art and dance in both traditional and contemporary formats. They forge ahead as the leaders in Spanish dance and culture with a commitment to our communities, via performances, education, school residencies, academic university programs, festivals and tours locally, nationally and internationally. They remain committed to their roots in education and mission of educational, artistic, and social development. Their incredibly rich history includes serving over 30,000 students annually, training over 90 company dancers, training over 160 Youth Company dancers from ages 12 to 18, over 90 international guest artists and musicians from Spain and the Americas, over 2,600 scholarships awarded to talented aspiring dancers, musicians and educators, tours and residencies of U.S., including Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Poland, Australia, Canada, China and Spain.
Festival Sponsors, Partners Collaborators
Partners: Northeastern Illinois University, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Human Rhythm Project
Sponsors: Microsoft, Home Depot, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Illinois Arts Council Agency, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, Hurvis Group, Florian Fund, Dr. Salme & Michael Steinberg, Frances Ufkes, Eugene & Sasha Gerritson, Marilyn Weekly, DoubleTree Skokie Hilton Hotel, Instituto Cervantes
Collaborators: Clinard Dance Theater, Dovetail Studios, Chicago Dance Supply, International Latino Cultural Center, A&A Ballet, Stonewolf Studios, Emilios Tapas, Atzimba Catering and Events
Marketing/Media Supporters: FourStar Branding, Carol Fox and Associates, Comcast, Hispanic Pro, Spanish Public Radio, Negocios Now, Chicago Latino Network