Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company Returns to NYC This Weekend

Back by popular demand, Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company will return to New York City tonight,, September 11 through Sunday, September 13 to the Theater at the 14th Street Y with two programs highlighting the diversity of Spanish Flamenco.

An internationally recognized dancer and choreographer, Sonia Olla is known for her impeccable technique and riveting stage presence. Ismael Fernández, her partner and musical director, is an award winning cante flamenco artist and instructor. Video.

Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company at the 14th Street Y will present Spanish flamenco in two distinct styles. A new work, Por los Caminos, will feature flamenco in a traditional theater setting, displaying rage, lament, joy and serenity in a rhythmic work of feeling and passion. The choreography will reflect the blending of cultures that comprise the art of flamenco, illustrating the influence of Latin American, Middle Eastern and other dance forms on the medium. Por los Caminos has a cast of two singers (including Ismael Fernandez), two dancers (Sonia Olla and Nino De los Reyes) and two guitarists.

Tablao Sevilla, the production's second work, will recreate the "tablaos" café setting found in the traditional tablaos of Spain. All the emotion, drama and passion of traditional flamenco will be experienced in this tribute to the art form. Effervescent heel-and-toe step combinations and volcanic shoulder and hip actions will present flamenco in its most pure and improvised form. Tablao Sevilla will feature two dancers (Sonia Olla and Nino De los Reyes), one guitarist and singer Ismael Fernandez. Video.

A surprise twist is the addition of a male flamenco dancer in both Por los Caminos and Tablao Sevilla.

Sonia Olla Flamenco at the 14th Street Y comes on the heels of the Company's successful Al Son Son-Flamenco production at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center (May, 2015) and Tiempo Al Aire, an original work featured at Joe's Pub at the Public Theater, part of the New York Flamenco Festival (March, 2014).

Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernández have just finished instructing Madonna in the art of flamenco, in preparation for the music legend's upcoming worldwide Rebel Heart Tour.

ABOUT SONIA OLLA AND ISMAEL FERNÁNDEZ:

Sonia Olla is from Barcelona, Spain, and studied flamenco with the legendary Merce Esmeralda, Manolo Marín, Mariquilla and Antonio Canales. In 1999, she made her professional debut with the illustrious Rafael Amargo in the critically acclaimed production "Amargo." Since then, she has toured as company member and soloist, sharing the stage with many flamenco greats including the famed Nuevo Ballet Español.

In 2011, Sonia premiered "Entretiempo" with celebrated flamenco singer Ismael de la Rosa Fernández at the prestigious Teatro Lara of Madrid, her first production acting as director, choreographer, and principal dancer. After moving to New York, Sonia and Ismael collaborated to create "Tiempo Al Aire," a unique blend of traditional flamenco with elements of jazz and percussion, which sold out Joe's Pub at the Public Theater as part of the world-famous New York Flamenco Festival in 2014. Sonia has performed at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Le Poison Rouge, Instituto Cervantes, Birdland, and is featured regularly at Spain's most notable tablaos.

Born in Seville, Spain, of Gypsy descent, singer Ismael de la Rosa Fernández grew up performing in flamenco festivals around the world with his internationally renowned family, "La Familia Fernández." His professional career began in Spain's premier flamenco tablaos such as "El Cordobes" (Barcelona), "La Carboneria" (Seville) and the famous flamenco cuevas, or caves, of Granada. In 2004, Ismael won the National Contest of Cordoba, singing bulerías for famed dancer Soraya Clavijo, and that same year he was a finalist in the Festival De Cante De La Union. Ismael also regularly participates with his family in the celebrated Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla. Throughout his expansive career, Ismael has worked with flamenco legends such as Antonio Canales, Farruquito, Marina Heredia, El Torombo and Leonor Moro.

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