Photo Flash: Forever Flamenco: LA OLE! At Ford Amphitheatre

The Fountain Theatre's celebrated Forever Flamenco! series has been presenting a roster of world-class Flamenco dancers, singers and musicians since 2003, drawing from the rich pool of Flamenco artists in Southern California, San Francisco, Albuquerque and Spain.

"This performance at the Ford gives us the chance to put together our 'dream show' with ten of the most distinguished and thrilling performers from the Forever Flamenco! series," says producer Deborah Lawlor.

"The evening at the Ford will offer a unique display of traditional Flamenco art, including outstanding performers from Spain who bring extraordinary talent, excitement and authenticity," adds Forever Flamenco! guitarist and artistic director Antonio Triana. "The program will be a tribute to the evolution of Flamenco and one of its greatest dancers, Antonio Triana, Sr."

Partnering with the great Carmen Maya, the legendary Triana, Sr. (father of the younger Triana) was among the first performers to take Flamenco out of the "barrios" of Andalusia and introduce the art form to audiences throughout Europe and the Americas.

The all-star performance at the Ford is sure to electrify long-time aficionados as well as those new to Flamenco with a riveting demonstration of this highly-expressive art form of passion and grace:

Three preeminent bailaores (male dancers): internationally acclaimed Spanish dancer Antonio Granjero, who first came to the U.S. as a soloist and choreographer with the Maria Benitez Company and currently performs as a guest artist with the Maria Serrano Company (Sevilla), Esmeralda Enriquez Company (Canada), Susana di Palma (Minnesota) and the Victor Monge "Serranito" Company; Los Angeles dancer Roberto Amaral, known for his classic and sophisticated style and as L.A.'s premier teacher of Flamenco dance; and Timo Nunez, a charismatic young star from Santa Barbara, most recently seen in L.A. Opera's productions of Carmen and La Traviata and performing a special Flamenco solo on TV's "So You Think You Can Dance."

Three stellar bailaoras (female dancers): Briseyda Zarate, celebrated for her fiery intensity and her ability to convey the tragic elements at the heart of many Flamenco cantes (songs); Genevieve Guinn ("La Genoveva") with her more lyric, sensuous quality; and Fanny Ara, who, bringing great authority and command to her dancing, is equally at home with the playful as with the somber aspects of Flamenco.

Two extraordinary cantaores (singers): Jesus Montoya from Sevilla, known as "The Pavarotti of Flamenco," and "El Yiyi," a native of Barcelona, now living in Santa Fe. Both are stellar among the relatively few genuine Flamenco cantaores working in the U.S.

Two magnificent guitarristas (guitarists): Forever Flamenco! artistic director Antonio Triana and guest artist Ricardo Marlow of Edwin Aparicio's company in Washington D.C.

Although Flamenco is primarily a solo dance form, audiences at Forever Flamenco: LA OLE! will see an unusual duet, choreographed for Timo Nunez and "La Genoveva" by internationally renowned Flamenco artist Edwin Aparicio. The duet is a Tientos, one of the most sensual and erotic of the Flamenco cantes.

The Ford Amphitheatre is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, off the 101 Hollywood freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. On-site, stacked parking costs $5 per vehicle. FREE non-stacked parking serviced by a FREE shuttle to the Ford is available at the Universal City Metro Station at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga; the shuttle, which cycles every 15-20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request. 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. Picnicking is encouraged.

Forever Flamenco: LA OLE! takes place on Saturday, August 1 at 8:30 pm. Full price tickets are $30, $40 and $55. Through the Ford's early buyer incentive, adults who buy tickets on or before July 25 pay only $25, $35 and $50. Forever Flamenco: LA OLE! is part of the Target Dance Series at the Ford: full-time students with ID and children 12 and under pay only $5 thanks to Target.

For reservations, directions, parking information, and a complete season schedule, call the Ford Theatres Box Office at (323) 461-3673 or go to www.FordTheatres.org.

Photo credit: Bruce Bisenz

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