Flamenco Performance Filled With Fire, Passion

Fri., May 31, 1996

Courtney Page Correspondent

Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, Wednesday, May 29, Spokane Community College

Sparks flew and temperatures soared as the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company performed Wednesday night. Clapping, snapping, shouting and rapid-fire heel work heated up the stage.

Overwhelming amounts of energy and passion flowed throughout the entire performance - and the audience caught the fever. The nearly full house proved it by a stomping, shouting and clapping ovation.

Each dance during the program was powerful and beautiful to watch, but all eyes were focused on Jose Greco II.

In Martinete, Greco possessed a smoldering sensuality. With a swivel of the hips, a roll of the shoulder and a confident strut, Greco does for flamenco what Elvis did for rock ‘n’ roll.

Greco’s magnetism was only outdone by his technical capabilities. His whip-like arms - sometimes fluid, sometimes cracking - propelled him into powerful windmill spins.

In Farruca, Greco showcased all of his talents as a dancer, both flamenco and ballet. Here, his exploding footwork, cutting arms and crisp head snaps combined to produce a dramatic, intense, speed-of-light rhythm. He capped off the frenzied solo by throwing himself into a twirling leap, landing on his knees and instantly snapping back up to his feet. Phenomenal. With his strength, grace, agility and magnetism, Greco is a master in the making.

The three other company members, Carmela Greco, Cristina Greco and Sonia Trevino, were also very sensual and beautiful to watch. They managed to keep their upper bodies placid as they executed firework footwork below. Perhaps they would have been perceived at a standstill had it not been for the hiking and sweeping of their skirts, which exposed their flying heels.

A combination of attitude and animation made Carmela Greco an audience favorite. Yet all of the company members had a heated stage presence with penetrating, glowing stares.

Soulful singing accompanied by stirring guitar complemented the rhythms the dancers created and further enhanced the performance.

Finding an appropriate venue for dance performances can be difficult in Spokane, but the Spokane Community College’s Lair Auditorium proved to be very accommodating. The stage was small enough for the dancers to create tension and heat, but large enough for them to easily stretch out their sinewy bodies without their movements being restricted.

The Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company is a reminder that the spirit and the passion of the Spanish gypsies is still alive today. The audience loved it and was left sizzling.

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