SUMMER RISING

Flamenco Vivo’s Project Ole

Our Arts Education Program

For six weeks this summer, Flamenco Vivo’s Project Ole brought the power of flamenco to NYC’s public schools– supported by a historic investment in the arts from New York City Artist Corps. The culminating event was a series of explosive pop-up performances throughout the 5 boroughs. Nearly one thousand students took to the streets of NYC singing, dancing, and shouting “OLE” for all to hear!

In May, Mayor de Blasio and Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Gonzalo Casals announced a ground-breaking $25 million investment in artists, including details for DCA’s New York City Artist Corps. This plan is contributing to the city’s ongoing recovery, offering New Yorkers opportunities to engage with cultural programming while providing much needed support for local artists.

Through this funding, and support from the NYC DOE Office of Arts and Special Projects, Flamenco Vivo was able to employ over 25 flamenco artists with 6 weeks of steady work. This opportunity has come at a crucial time for NYC’s flamenco community, and its impact on students has been immeasurable.

“Summer Rising was exactly the type of programming we needed coming out of this pandemic. It provided a steady income to local artists whose livelihoods have been at stake, an outlet for movement and self expression for our youth, and a way for us all to heal as a community by offering free performances open to the public. This is a new precedent for arts education in NYC that should sustain beyond 2021!”

–Arielle Rosales, FV Teaching Artist

NEW CLASS SERIES

Palos with Juan Parrilla

Sept. 19th–Nov. 21st

Deepen your understanding of flamenco music in this 10 week virtual series that will take you in depth through 8 flamenco palos. Learn to distinguish between each rhythm, identify a palo’s unique characteristics, and recognize letras (verses) of different styles. Each 1.5 hour class will focus on a musical analysis, dance and song structure as well as the history of each palo. A general knowledge of the flamenco palos is recommended.

*The classes will be given in Spanish with English translation.
**A recording will be available for 7 days after each live class.

SIGN UP HERE

FROM SPAIN: NOTABLE NEWS

FIESTA DE LA BULERÍA JEREZ

Gema Moneo’s Ahora!

“Lo que tenemos ahora, ha nacido” (What we have now, is born) – Gema Moneo

Eager anticipation awaited dancer Gema Moneo’s new show Ahora! at the Fiesta de la Bulería festival in Jerez. Ten singers, two dancers, and eight musicians joined her onstage, including guest star Antonio Canales and flamenco flautist and Colmena teacher Juan Parrilla! Gema’s show was part of an impressive program that re-energized the flamenco world and marked the 54th year of the festival’s run.

The six day festival was a star-studded event, especially highlighting artists from Jerez. Each night brought more magic and soniquete to a city already brimming with artistry. The Fiesta de la Bulería prides itself on bringing both seasoned veterans and jovenes promesas (young promises) to its festival each year, allowing space for audiences and artists to experience both flamenco’s living history and its contemporary evolutions. Since 2016, the festival also highlights Jerez’s life outside the city limits—this year, Paris.

The program serves as a simultaneous celebration of the hyperlocal city of Jerez and the global expansion of Jerez’s art. Fiesta de la Bulería Jerez relishes in flamenco’s dilemma of contradictions, of being both an ancient and modern art, local and global tradition. It doesn’t apologize for the pride it has in its city and invites everyone to carry a little bit of bulerías with them beyond the festival.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

RETURNING TO THE STUDIO & STAGE

Interview w/ Laura Peralta

Last week, we got to hear from Laura Peralta, a Flamenco Vivo Company Dancer and Teaching Artist. If you missed the live interview, watch this recording to learn about her unique start in flamenco, her experience touring in multiple companies, how her creative process changed during the pandemic, and more!

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A post shared by Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana (@flamencovivo)

FUN FACT

FROM OUR ARTIST DEVELOPMENT SERIES

Did you know?

Did you know that Mario Maya was a pioneer in using flamenco as a form of protest? In a recent class from our Artist Development Series, Estela Zatania talked about Mario Maya’s groundbreaking work and how his legacy lives on through his daughter Belén Maya.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS REVOLUTIONARY ROMA