FOREVER FLAMENCO Returns to the Ford Tonight

The dancers, musicians and singers of Forever Flamenco have been delighting Fountain Theatre audiences for over two decades with the intensity, precision and exhilaration for which flamenco is known. Now Forever Flamenco returns to the outdoor stage at the Ford Theatres with this passionate expression of Spanish culture. A roster of internationally renowned flamenco artists will pay tribute to Los Angeles flamenco pioneer Roberto Amaral tonight, Aug. 9 at 8:30 p.m. at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

Forever Flamenco at the Ford will celebrate Amaral's seminal 49-year career with performances by bailaores/as (dancers) Roberto Amaral, Fanny Ara, Manuel Gutiérrez, Pamela Lourant, Timo Nuñez, Mizuho Sato, Yaelisa and Ryan Zermeño; cantaores (singers) Antonio de Jerez and Jesus Montoya; guitarristas (guitarists) Adam del Monte, Jason McGuire "El Rubio," José Tanaka and Antonio Triana; and percusionista (percussionist) Joey Heredia. Watch for more surprise artists, as well as guests and dignitaries honoring the accomplishments and contributions made by Amaral to the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.

"Roberto is a flamenco visionary with a trademark style," comments Forever Flamenco producer Deborah Lawlor. "As he continually strives to find new and refreshing approaches to the form, he has also found an enormous sense of gratification and pride in his dedication to teach and mentor others. Many of his former students and protégés have gone on to become stars in their own right."

Roberto Amaral began his professional career at the age of 17 and has since achieved worldwide acclaim as a dancer, choreographer, singer, composer, artist and master teacher. From 1968 through 1976, he enjoyed success as principal dancer and guest artist with many of the world's foremost Spanish dance companies, touring extensively with the companies of José Greco, José Antonio, Ciro, Alberto Lorca, Rafael de Cordoba and Antonio Ruiz. Also during this early period of his career, he laid groundbreaking musical history as co-founder, co-lead vocalist, writer, arranger and choreographer of the legendary band CARMEN. It was the first musical group to ever combine flamenco with rock/pop music, both audibly and visually, performing alongside such musical luminaries as David Bowie, Jethro Tull, ELO and Santana. For television, Roberto has been a featured dancer and choreographer on numerous programs, including The Academy Awards (twice), The Tonight Show, The Barry Manilow Special and the Madrid-based Antología de la Zarzuela. He is the recipient of an EMMY Award for his collaboration with choreographer Walter Painter on the television special Lynda Carter's Celebration. He has founded several critically acclaimed dance companies, including Danzas de España, Ballet Español de Los Ángeles, España Clásica and Fuego Flamenco - each of which has influenced the pulse of flamenco and classical Spanish dance in Southern California - and he has produced, choreographed and designed over 500 dance solos, ensemble pieces, flamenco ballets, conceptual suites and production numbers. In his nearly 50 year career, Roberto has been privileged to perform in many of the world's great concert halls, theaters, arenas and nightclubs, including the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas' Caesar's Palace, Sahara and Hilton International. In Europe he has performed at London's Victoria Theatre, Paris' Olympia Theatre, Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, Madrid's Teatro de La Zarzuela and Milan's La Scala Opera House.

The Fountain's Forever Flamenco series has been called "the city's preeminent flamenco series" by the Los Angeles Times and "L.A.'s most significant venue for flamenco" by the LA Weekly. Working Author designates it "the rarest of treats... for both connoisseur and novice alike, 'Forever Flamenco' offers the opportunity to luxuriate in the incendiary passions of flamenco." Dance writer Debra Levine says, "Performances feature superb gypsy guitarists and singers. Do you enjoy seeing the body in spellbinding motion? Great artistic individuality? Live music? Then go," and Stage and Cinema's Tony Frankel writes, "Thrilling, sexy and sensuous."

At 1,200 seats, the Ford Theatres creates an intimate concert experience that is a favorite among Angelenos. Each summer, the Ford hosts a diverse roster of events representing music and dance styles reflective of the communities that comprise Los Angeles County. Ford summer season events are presented in partnership with Los Angeles County arts organizations and producers. Unlike a traditional presenting model, these organizations apply to be part of the season and receive significant marketing, box office and house management support while keeping the majority of box office proceeds. Located in a County regional park in the Hollywood Hills, the Ford is owned and operated by the County of Los Angeles and operated through a three-way partnership between the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Ford Theatre Foundation.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission fosters excellence, diversity, vitality, understanding and accessibility of the arts in Los Angeles County. The Arts Commission provides leadership in cultural services for the County, encompassing 88 municipalities, including funding and job opportunities, professional development and general resources. For more information, visit lacountyarts.org.

The Ford Theatres' 2014 summer amphitheatre season is a program of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission with core support provided by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Additional supporters include the Angell Foundation; The Boeing Employees Community Fund; City National Bank; Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; Discover Hollywood; The Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation; The James Irvine Foundation; KCRW 89.9 FM; Tom LaBonge, City of Los Angeles Fourth District; LA18; L.A. Parent; LA Weekly; Macy's; National Endowment for the Arts; NBC Universal; The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation; SONY Pictures Entertainment; Southern California Edison; Wells Fargo; Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; and Yelp.com.

The Ford Theatres are located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway, between Hollywood Blvd. and Barham Blvd. in the Cahuenga Pass. On site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle. FREE nonstacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station lot at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga. The shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area. The grounds open two hours before showtime for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site and box dinners for evening events may be ordered in advance. Patrons are welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.

Forever Flamenco at the Ford takes place on Saturday, Aug. 9. Doors open for picnicking at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Reserved seating is $50 and $75; VIP tickets, which include preferred seating, pre-concert private VIP catered party with artists and a gift bag, are available for $100. Purchase tickets on or before Aug. 2 and save $5. Tickets are available at FordTheatres.org or 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323 GO 1-FORD). To learn about discounts for groups of 8 or more, please call 323 769-2147.

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