Dixon Place Prsents ECLIPSIS FLAMENCO, 9/13-14

Dixon Place is proud to present Eclipsis Flamenco: Encounter of Two Worlds, an original intensely passionate dance theatrical piece documenting the historical merging of the Pre-Colombian and Spanish cultures that birthed "mestizaje," (mixed cultures) the very foundation of Mexican life. Under the artistic direction of the Mexican Flamenco star, Maria Elena Anaya, Eclipsis Flamenco becomes an exuberant celebration. The plasticity, strength, rhythm and eroticism that emerge from the interaction of pre-Hispanic dance and Mexican folklore reverberate in the profound chords of the guitar, percussion and "cante flamenco." The all-professional company's dancers, singers, and musicians trace the development of the dynamic cultural fusion of these two worlds revealing a vision of life full of pride, passion, honor, love, and sorrow.

Born in Mexico City, Maria Elena Anaya began her career in Spanish dance at the age of three. In 1976, she began studying with the legendary Manolo Vargas who became her teacher, choreographer and artistic director for nearly 25 years and granted the expressive force of her dance today. She has performed at the most important venues throughout Mexico and has participated in several television shows and art videos including Los Que Hacen el Arte (Those Who Make Art) produced by the Autonomous National University of Mexico as a tribute to Manolo Vargas. She has performed with Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theater directed by Susana Di Palma in Minneapolis and The Joyce Theater in New York City; at La MaMa she appeared in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2012. She performed in La MaMa Umbria in Spoleto, Italy in August 1999. She works as a teacher and choreographer since 1995 at the National Dance School of the Fine Arts Institute of Mexico. The National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature and the General Directorate of Research and Artistic Education through the National Center for Research, Documentation and Information of Dance "Jose Limon" gave her the medal and recognition "for her outstanding career and invaluable contribution to dance" as part of the tribute A Life in Dance on June 24, 2011.