Montreal's La Otra Orilla to Make U.S. Debut at Jacob's Pillow, Begin. Tomorrow

Inventive flamenco company La Otra Orilla makes its U.S. Debut at Jacob's Pillow August 14-18 in the Doris Duke Theatre. The company, led by Co-Artistic Director, choreographer, and dancer Myriam Allard, and Co-Artistic Director, singer, and stage director Hedi "el Moro" Graja, will present El12 (el doce), a production created in 2010 that fuses traditional flamenco dance with contemporary choreography, video animation, and an expert ensemble of three live musicians, including acclaimed flamenco composer and guitarist Caroline Planté.

Nominated for Outstanding Production at Toronto's 2010 Dora Awards, El12 embodies the 12 beats essential to flamenco and explores the connection of dance and music in relation to the passage of time, such as the 12 months in a year. Frédérique Doyon of Le Devoir feels that El12"offers a wide range of flamenco styles reflecting the different stages of life, taking just the right liberties to breathe new life into this Andalusian art without altering it completely."

The work includes an original, hybrid choreographic language that depicts both classical and modern style by blending the traditions of the flamenco art form with present-day aesthetics. Allard, co-artistic director, choreographer, and dancer, studied in Spain with flamenco masters for six years before co-founding La Otra Orilla in 2005. Allard's dancing reflects her personal style of strength and elegance. Aline Apostolska of La Presse writes that "Allard is a magnificent flamenco dancer, energetic and magnetic, not only a performer respectful of formal purism, but completely free in reinterpreting tradition with her resolutely contemporary vision."

Co-founder and singer Graja had an unconventional start to his flamenco career as a self-taught singer. Graja began his training by moving to Seville, Spain, listening to great flamenco vocalists, and participating in local fiestas before co-founding La Otra Orilla with Allard. In El12, "Graja is a passionate, singer, a low baritone, and not the traditional flamenco tenor, his husky, growling voice giving an edge to the dance" (Paula Citron, Globe and Mail).

The music, performed live during the work, is an original composition by Caroline Planté, accompanied by guitarist José Vega and percussionist Miguel Medina. A vital part of the performance, "Graja refuses to let the musicians become a mere soundtrack for Allard's dance. Their performance is also choreographed, as they move around the stage between each section" (Sylvain Verstricht, indyish.com). Adding final elements to the company's unique approach to flamenco are the stunning video animations created by video artist Geneviéve Allard for El12 that "provide evocative images throughout" (Paula Citron, Globe and Mail).

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