Compania Mina Fajardo & Chuscales to Return to Teatro Paraguas with 'DANCE WITH SPIRIT'

Compañía Mina Fajardo & Chuscales is coming back to Teatro Paraguas this November 2017!

They have given sold-out performances the past six years. Audiences still remember their shows: Flamenco x3 (2015); Una Nota de Lorca (2016); and Choreography and Calligraphy (2017).

The show this November is based on a bedtime story from the Brunn family, remembering events from 400 years ago in what is now Santa Fe, New Mexico and how its ancient inhabitants were confronted with New Spain.

With utmost respect Teatro Paraguas presents: legendary flamenco singer Roberto Zamora; renowned flamenco guitarist/composer Chuscales; and choreographer/dancer Mina Fajardo.

As with all treasure hunts, the true purpose is to reveal the magic of the human spirit and its will to survive, discovering the wealth of faith, family & community.

Featuring: Artistic Director: Mina Fajardo; Choreographer: Mina Fajardo; Playwright: Mina Fajardo, Zoe Vangunten, Charles Brunn; Music Director & Composer: Jose Valle "Chuscales"; Singer: Roberto Zamora; Guitarist: Chuscales; Percussionist: Alejandro Valle; Principal Dancer: Mina Fajardo; Dancer: Monze Diaz; Lighting: Argos MacCallum; Actors: Charles Brunn & Sienna Price; and Fiesta Flamenca Dancers.

IF YOU GO:

Compañía Mina Fajardo & Chuscales

Flamenco Fiesta: Dance with Spirit

November 3-5, November 3 at 7pm, November 4 at 2pm and 7pm, November 5 at 2pm

At Teatro Paraguas, 3205 Calle Marie, Santa Fe, NM

Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $20 student/senior. Call 505-424-1601 or visit www.flamencodancewithspirit2017.brownpapertickets.com for tickets.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Mina Fajardo - Artistic Director, Choreographer and Dancer

Mina Valle Fajardo, "Mina" has received extensive training in flamenco, Escuela bolero, jazz, Tap and ballet. Mina has received flamenco training from El Guito, Carmera Greco, Ciro, La Tati, La China, Alejandro Granados, Yolanda Heredia, Isabel Bayon, Rafaela Carrasco, Pastora Galvan, Jose Maya, Ursula Lopez, Adela Campallo, Rafael Campallo, Concha Vargas, Eva La Yerbabuena, Farruquito, La Lupi, Andres Marin, Joaquin Ruiz and Keiko Issiki.

She has taught in the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts, Northern New Mexico University, Santa Fe Community College, Eva Encinias Sandoval's National Institute of Flamenco, Nava Elementary School, Sweeney Elementary School, The New Mexico Academy of International School, Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe Danceworks, Moving Arts Española, Maria Vazquez Flamenco Denver, The Spanish Institute of Dance in Houston, Texas, and Fazil Dance Studio & Japanese Chamber of Commerce in New York City.

Fajardo has performed in Japan, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Houston, Maryland and Albuquerque and has made several appearances on television in Manhattan, New Mexico, Japan & Spain. In Santa Fe, She has performed at the Santa Fe Opera and in the Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival at the Lensic Theatre.

She has performed with many artists including Elena Andujar, El Pripi, La Tibu, Carmen Rasarao, Chuscales, YiYi, Silverio Heredia, Tequila de Jerez, Omayra Amaya, Jose Cortes, Manuel Gutierrez, Kina Mendez, Jose Cortes, Juan Siddi and Keiko Isshiki.

She choreographed and performed in many productions including "Illusions in Arts "Calligraphy & Choreography" (Santa Fe, NM 2017), "Romance de la Luna " (Santa Fe, NM, 2016), "Una Nota de Lorca" (Santa Fe, NM 2016), "Gypsy Book" (Santa fe, NM 2015), "Flamenco Masters" (Denver, CO 2015), "Houston Spanish & Flamenco Festival 2015" (Houston, TX 2015), "Flamenco X3"(2015), "Gypsy Passion"(2014), "Flamenco Fiesta!" (2014 & 2013), "Forever in My Heart" (Santa Fe, 2013 ), "My Gypsy Soul" (Santa Fe, 2012), "Chuscales at Old Main, Boulder" (CO, 2011), "Chuscales y Mina Fajardo con Las Tres Mujeres" (Las Vegas. NM, 2010), "Chuscales Live at MIT" (Boston, 2009), Telluride Jazz Festival (Telluride, 2008), "Chuscales at Tubac" (Tubac, AZ, 2007), "Soul del Arte Tradiciones e Innovaciones" (San Francisco, 2005), "Ainadamar, Landscapes and Impression" Santa Fe Opera (2005), "A Night of Flamenco Magic" Lakewood Cultural Center (Denver, CO, 2005), "Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival" (2004 & 2001), The John E. Morlow Guitar Series " Flamenco Night" (Chevy Chase, MD, 2004), SJC Multicultural Arts Series "Flamenco" (San Juan Capistrano, CA, 2003).

She appeared in films "Flamenco Passion & Soul" (1999), "El Payo" (2010), "Españoles en el mundo - Nuevo Mexico" (2013).

She currently teaches flamenco dance classes at Santa Fe Community College, Northern New Mexico University, Santa Fe Danceworks, Casa Blanca Studio & Moving Arts Española and performs with Chuscales, Juan Siddi & Kina Mendez at Local Tablao & Theater in Santa Fe, NM.

Visit minafajardo.com for more.

Chuscales - Music Director, Composer and Guitarist

"Chuscales" - This was the name given to Jose Valle Fajardo by his Grandfather. Since then, the name Chusco has come to describe a guitarist of consummate skill and a profound understanding of the Flamenco traditions.

A native of Antequera, Spain, Chuscales grew up in a traditional gypsy family well known for its professional musicians and dancers. His grandmother was among those who lived in the caves of Sacromonte, one of the legendary cradles of flamenco. Chuscales recalls, "there were shows, with Gypsies from Granada who grew up in families that lived there. I wish you could see it, the families in the caves and the singing and dancing. There might be seven, eight, maybe nine caves, all with singing and dancing, and there would be more singing and dancing on the streets every day. It was unbelievable. It was very formative time in all my life. It was like a dream. This is where I learned everything - the rhythm, the beat, the guitar. I am still learning from those thousands of nights performing with my family, with my father, my grandfather, and my friends.

Chusco began guitar lessons at age six under the instruction of his uncle Joaquín Fajardo as well as Maestro Agustinillo, two prominent masters in the region where such greats as Segovia have studied. As a teenager, Chuscales found himself frequently in the company of Paco de Lucía, who often performed in the area and would take time to play with the talented youngster and to answer his questions. Meanwhile, he began his performing career as a dancer - an experience that provides him with a detailed understanding of flamenco's rhythmic nuances. Chusco elaborates as the accompanying guitarist, "I can understand and follow dancers. I can see where they are going before they take their next step. I know what the dancer is looking for, how much tension is in the music, the right rhythm, when to play strong or soft so if a dancer asks me for something, I know what they ask." Chuscales' affinity for dance is delightfully apparent in his artistry, blending music and movement as he does is no accident. "It's something we learn through life," he says. "A lot of people don't have my luck to grow up in the caves, learning flamenco in a Gypcy family where the music comes from tradition to tradition, from legend to legend. I thank God I have been around such great musicians all my life.

Whether versed in flamenco traditions or not, audiences find Chuscales' music at once touching and exotic, his presence is engaging and his skill as a guitarist, simply astounding. A Chuscales concert is an experience that audiences take with them.

He played the guitar for prince and princes of Spain at Santa Fe in 2009. He appeared in films "Camelamos Nauerar" (1976), "Gypsy Heart" (1998), "Flamenco Passion & Soul" (1999), "Viaje Al Duende" (2009),"The Spanish Table" (2010) and "El Payo" (2010), "Españoles en el mundo - Nuevo Mexico"(2013).

He received the Dora More Award for outstanding sound design/composition (2010, 2009 & 2007), Isadora Duncan Awards, for composition, arrangement, and direction (2011 & 1997).

Go to www.chuscales.com for more.

Roberto Zamora - Singer and Painter

Roberto Zamora has been involved in flamenco for 44 years. He took his first extensive trip to Spain in 1973 to steep himself in Flamenco Gitano, where he became intimate friends with the "Gastoreño" family of Morón de la Frontera, most intimately Juan del Gastor and Agustin Rios, and also became friends of the gypsies of Utrera and Lebrija. From this visit he gained the friendship of artists La Fernanda and La Bernarda, Miguel Funi, Anzonini del Puerto, Paco de Valdepenas, Pedro Bacan and Pepe Rios.

Over the years he then took frequent yearly trips to Andalucia where he cemented his lifelong friendships. He was fortunate to become Agustin Rios' lifelong friend when Agustin moved to the United States in 1976. He performed for many years with Agustin Rios (nephew of Diego del Gastor), superb guitarist in the tradition of Diego del Gastor and also great singer and festero. In 1981 he cemented his friendship with Anzonini when he came to live in the Bay Area for several years, touring and being in his "cuadro festero". He studied solo dance for many years, among his teachers being Pepe Rios, Manolo Marin, Rafael Negro, El Guito, Isidro Vargas and El Faico.

In the SF Bay Area he has worked as a singer/dancer with Rosa Montoya, Teatro Flamenco and continues to work extensively with all the major companies as a singer and "festero", among them Yaelisa's Caminos Flamencos, Teatro Flamenco, La Tania, and Agua ClaraFlamenco.

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