Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company presents the world premiere of Portales April 25, 2013

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company presents the world premiere of
Portales
part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps
Choreographed by Esmeralda Enrique, El Junco, Juan Ogalla, Manuel Betanzos

The award-winning Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company (EESDC) proudly presents the world premiere of Portales. This exciting evening of Spanish dance features new choreographies by three high-powered guest artists from Spain, two of whom also join the acclaimed ensemble for performances April 25-28 as part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps at Fleck Dance Theatre during the Canadian Dance Assembly’s National Dance Week.

Portales means doorways or thresholds in Spanish. In a first for the company, EESDC will feature two bailaores (male flamenco dancers) on stage, both of them from Cádiz, Spain: El Junco (Juan José Jaén Arroyo), whose vibrant and virtuosic prowess highlights the earthy essence of flamenco, debuts with the ensemble while charismatic audience favourite Juan Ogalla, 2011 Dora Award winner for Outstanding Performance, returns for his fifth season. EESDC features another triumph: flamenco master Manuel Betanzos, whose highly regarded academy in Triana, the flamenco neighbourhood of Seville, is a mecca for aspiring dancers, was commissioned to choreograph the opening piece of the evening.

“Fine fiery flamenco…. Enrique herself is a marvel of movement…. Ogalla is riveting, dazzling…. The musicians are first-rate…. A class act from start to finish.” – Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail (about Aguas / Waters, 2012)

“Terrific. The dancing, the music, the singing … Juan Ogalla cuts the air with whiplash turns …”
– Michael Crabb, CBC Radio (about Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold, 2011)

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company presents the world premiere of Portales
part of Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps
Choreographed by Esmeralda Enrique and guest artists from Spain: Manuel Betanzos, El Junco, Juan Ogalla
Dancers: Esmeralda Enrique, Paloma Cortés, Noelia La Morocha, Pamela Briz, El Junco, Juan Ogalla
Musicians: Musicial Director Nicolás Hernández (guitar), Chris Church (violin),
Oscar Lago (guitar), Rosendo “Chendy” León (percussion)
Singers: Naike Ponce, Manuel Soto
Lighting: Sharon DiGenova
Costumes: Mary Janeiro, Patricia Cuevas, Esmeralda Enrique
Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27, 2013, 8PM; Sunday, April 28, 2013, 3PM
Harbourfront Centre’s Fleck Theatre, 207 Queens Quay West, 3rd floor.
Tickets: $27.50-$43 ($21.50-$28.50 students, seniors), including applicable taxes & service charges
Harbourfront Centre Box Office: 416-973-4000 OR online at www.flamencos.net
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