Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater's FLAMENCO PASSION Returns To The North Shore Center, June 17-19

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings their popular "Flamenco Passion" performances to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19. These performances will cap the company's 46th multi-faceted American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 8-19).

After two years of dealing with challenging COVID protocols, Ensemble Español is excited to once again be able to feature a robust roster of dance and musical guest artists. Three of the guest artists are joining "Flamenco Passion" for the first time. They include award-winning Flamenco choreographer/performer La Lupi from Malaga Spain, Barcelona-born Flamenco performer/choreographer/educator Elisabet Torras Aguilera, 12-time Grammy winner, Diego "El Negro" Alvarez (percussionist) and Curro de Maria (guitarist and composer).

Flamenco fans will have the opportunity to get to know La Lupi and Alvarez up close through the new symposium, "The Black and Brown Roots to Spanish Dance" (June 14-17) before experiencing their art on stage. Thanks to the series of Festival Spanish Dance (June 10-17) and Music classes (June 14-16), there will also be an opportunity to learn directly from these masters.

"It is always a pleasure working with our partners, Northeastern Illinois University, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Old Town School of Folk Music, Clinard Dance Theater and Dovetail Studios," says Irma Suarez Ruiz, Ensemble Español Artistic Director and Jorge Perez, Executive & Associate Artistic Director. "They provide the environment for our amazing and talented dancers to help us show our work in the best light even through this pandemic helping us stay connected doing what we do best, dance, dance, dance! We look forward to once again meeting our audiences in person on stage and in the lobby after the performances."

The program for the June 17-19 performances engagement will include the world premieres of "El Casorio" (The Wedding) by Ruiz and "Pasos Largos" (Long Steps) (Caña Flamenco style) by La Lupi. La Lupi will also perform the Chicago premiere of her works "Juanaca" (Flamenco cantiñas style) and "Airoso Fleco" (Airy Fringe) (Taranto style). Also included in the program: the world premiere of "Hable con ella" (Talk to Her) by Elisabet Torras Aguilera and the Chicago premiere of "La Resonancia del Alma" (Resonance of the Soul) performed and choreographed by José Moreno. Popular works from Ensemble Español's repertoire will complete the program and include the dramatic excerpt "Dualia," by Carlos Rodriguez, from the Ensemble's Flamenco contemporary ballet "Mar de Fuego" (Sea of Fire), classical suite "El Baile de Luis Alonso" (The Dance of Luis Alonso) by Ruiz and the folkloric suite "Alma de Aragon" (Soul of Aragon) by Paco Alonso with guest tenor, Luis Galvez.

The full list of guest musical artists in the program: Diego "El Negro" Alvarez, percussionist (Venezuela/California); Luiz Galvez, tenor (Peru/Chicago); Curro de Maria, flamenco guitarist and composer (Malaga); Paco Fonta, Flamenco singer/guitarist (Jaen/Miami); José Moreno singer, guitarist and percussionist, dancer, singer (Madrid, Malaga, New York), and David Chiriboga, Flamenco guitarist (Ecuador/Chicago).
Tickets

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, presents the 2022 Flamenco Passion performances at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Tickets are $20-$50. To purchase tickets and for more information visit northshorecenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.

Preceding the Friday, June 17 performance there will be a Meet the Artists VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on the 2nd level, $65. To purchase tickets and for more information visit northshorecenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.

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