Strand Ventures, Inc Presents
Alborada Spanish Dance Theater's "Feria"
This concert is in celebration of all the FERIAS (festivals) that take place in Spain during the year, and includes a “Tapas de Mexico” (Taste of Mexico) with dances from Jalisco and Veracruz, Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre will take you on a journey that begins in Madrid, winds back and forth from the Colonies in Mexico and Cuba, and ends in Andalucia. Enjoy the gorgeous authentic costumes: dresses with lace mantillas worn over large combs recreated from the paintings of Goya, famous in Spain during the 18th Century for his depictions of the Duchess of Alba in La Spagnola; the white Guajiras dresses of the 18th Century Colonies; the riding costumes of the Zapateado de Sarasate from the turn of the century; the traditional festive ruffled dresses worn by dancers for the Sevillanas Rocieras (from an 800 year old festival where the musicians stroll playing their instruments such as guitars, tambourines and flutes); the Verdiales of Malaga celebrating the green verdial olives of the mountains where the men wear flowered hats and the women use beribboned tambourines and castanets; to the very colorful Mexican costumes.
The cross-cultural influences demonstrated are because Spain used Mexico as a trading post during its occupation, thus having great influence on the indigenous dances, plus the fact that some of the dances reflect an African influence derived from the slave trades, since Spain came through Hispaniola (currently Haiti and the Dominican Republic), through Cuba into Mexico. Enjoy the similarities of the footwork of the Mexican dances with those of the festive Flamenco dances - the Mexican Zapateado is danced without music; the Spanish Zapateado de Sarasate is danced with the virtuosity of a viola. Bring the entire family to experience this joyous festival of dance, music and song for Cinco de Mayo!
About Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre:
This critically acclaimed Company is noted for bringing a broad cultural perspective to communities across the Tri-State area with their unique focus on Spain’s influences with other world cultures. Dance critic La Gata of Flamenco Buzz (September 2006) says about Alborada: “The Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre is known for their theatricality, dancing on a greater scale, a story line running throughout, keeping you riveted until the end.”
Funded in part by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the American Music Center Live Music for Dance Program.
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 7:30pm
$22.00 (All seats)
(Senior, Student, Child discount available)
(Plus Service Charges)
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