Flamenco Troupe Will Show Its Colors In Pullman

Thu., Oct. 2, 1997

By Susan English susane@spokesman.com

The wildly colorful and energetic dancing of Spain will be staged by Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre Friday night in Pullman.

Flamenco has roots in the southern regions of Spain, although the origin is not known. The dance style developed out of the Catholic Church’s adaptation of Byzantine chants with influences from the invading Moors and from migrating Gypsy tribes.

The Arte Flamenco troupe - with 11 dancers on this tour - is based in San Jose, Calif., and performs extensively in the Bay Area. Dancer, choreographer and artistic director La Clarita has studied with flamenco greats Jose Greco, Jose Molina and Dolores and Jose Fernandez. She also studied in Seville, Spain, and has toured Europe.

Originally performed to just singing and hand clapping, flamenco adapted to the accompaniment of guitars. The basic rhythm remains constant but is embellished with counter-rhythms and improvisational dance steps.

According to La Clarita, the goal of Arte Flamenco is to introduce the public to the energetic, evocative and mystical art form of southern Spain. “It awakens the deepest emotions of all people regardless of cultural ancestry or background,” she says. “The Gypsy expression of life’s highs and lows is truly experienced in flamenco dance.”

In addition to flamenco, the dance company will perform the Tango Gitano, which originated in Cuba, and the Pandereta Velos (meaning fast tambourine) in which the dancer hits the tambourine with his or her feet without missing a beat as the dance gets faster and faster.

The dance is the opening event in the Festival Dance and Performing Arts Great Performances Series.

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: DANCE The Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman. Tickets are $16 and $12; $12 and $10 for students; $8 and $6 for children younger than 12, available at the Beasley box office, The Depot in Pullman, the University of Idaho ticket office, at Albertson’s in Lewiston and at G&B Select-a-Seat outlets, 325-SEAT or (800) 325-SEAT.

This sidebar appeared with the story: DANCE The Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman. Tickets are $16 and $12; $12 and $10 for students; $8 and $6 for children younger than 12, available at the Beasley box office, The Depot in Pullman, the University of Idaho ticket office, at Albertson’s in Lewiston and at G&B; Select-a-Seat outlets, 325-SEAT or (800) 325-SEAT.