Chicago Flamenco Festival 2012  Opens February 9

The Festival’s impressive line-up span the worlds of music and dance and features some of the art’s brightest rising stars as well as established, critically acclaimed artists. These distinctive events further the Instituto Cervantes’ dedication to bringing the finest of Spanish and Hispanic culture in Chicago.
Festival attendees will find something to suit all tastes in the full range of Flamenco arts explored in the performances.  Take pleasure in the fierce, passionate movements and stunning footwork of bailaora Rebeca Tomás. The masterful, jazz-infused piano and song of Sevilla-born flamenco great Diego Amador will thrill traditionalists and purists alike. Acclaimed gypsy guitarist Raimundo Amador, founder of pioneering flamenco rock groups Veneno and Pata Negra, presents the world premiere of BLACK & Gypsy.  Caroline Planté, composer and flamenco guitarist from Montreal, Canada, will delight with innovative original compositions that she also creates for Madrid-based dance company Cruceta Flamenco. Canteca de Macao’s spirited ska and reggae-infused flamenco beats -along with the whimsical juggler who is also member of the nine-artist troupe- will spread their joyful energy and set everyone dancing.  Festival-goers gain deeper knowledge of the many hues of the art through the festival's film screenings as well as through this year’s Flamenco Connections lecture/performance which brings together renowned local musicians from Las Guitarras de España and Ensemble of Ragas to explore the parallels between Indian and Flamenco music.
Sponsored by the International Cultural Center of Chicago, Hilton Garden Inn, Baker& McKenzie, and Iberia Airlines.

OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE:  DIEGO AMADOR TRIO
Thursday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.
Reception to follow
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
$30  general admission
$25  students/members of: Instituto Cervantes, Arte y Vida Chicago, and the Flamenco Arts Center; Seniors.     
Limited seating; reception included in price of ticket.
diegoamador.es
Diego Amador is an acclaimed flamenco singer and pianist.  Born into a gypsy family in Sevilla, he was raised steeped in flamenco tradition.  By age 11, he had mastered the guitar and several other musical instruments and was already playing drums in the group Pata Negra.  Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear this unique multi-talented musician perform live in Chicago.
2nd Performance by DIEGO AMADOR TRIO
Friday, February 10, 7:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
$20 general admission
$15 students/members of: Instituto Cervantes, Arte y Vida Chicago, and the Flamenco Arts Center; Seniors. Limited seating.
World Premiere!
RAIMUNDO AMADOR y DIEGO AMADOR:  BLACK & GYPSY
Acoustic concert of their not-yet-released record, Black & Gypsy
Friday, February 17, 7:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
$20 general admission
$15 students/members of: Instituto Cervantes, Arte y Vida Chicago, and the Flamenco Arts Center; Seniors. Limited seating.
raimundoamador.com
Raimundo Amador and Diego Amador invite you for a very special event: they will perform the debut concert of their yet-to-be-released record BLACK & Gypsy (March, 2012) as an acoustic duo!  
An experimental flamenco guitarist rooted in the flamenco tradition yet open to other genres of a common “heart," Raimundo Amador's career includes work with Björk, Enrique Morente, Antonio Flores, Mala Rodríguez, Tomatito and Remedios Amaya among others.  He worked with Camarón on his album ''La Leyenda del Tiempo."  In 1995, he released his first solo album, ''Gerundina,'' a collaboration with legendary blues guitarist B.B. King.  
2nd Performance of RAIMUNDO AMADOR y DIEGO AMADOR: BLACK & GYPSY
Saturday February 18, 7:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
$20 general admission
$15 students/members of: Instituto Cervantes, Arte y Vida Chicago, and the Flamenco Arts Center; Seniors. Limited seating.
A PALO SECO / REBECA TOMÁS: RASGOS FLAMENCOS
Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 p.m.
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-728-6000
Tickets and more information at: oldtownschool.org
2nd Performance of A PALO SECO / REBECA TOMÁS: RASGOS FLAMENCOS
Thursday, March 8, 7:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
$20 general admission
$15 students/members of: Instituto Cervantes, Arte y Vida Chicago, and the Flamenco Arts Center; Seniors. Limited seating.
rebecaflamenca.com
“Awesomely fiery” (New York Times), “Masterful” (Eva YaaAsantewaa), “A fierce performer” (Explore Dance), and “A postcard image of the feminine Flamenco dancer” (Kansas City Metropolis), Rebeca Tomás is one of New York City’s up and coming Flamenco artists. She has performed with Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana.  She is now also directing and choreographing her own original works.  Her productions of A Palo Seco and Rasgos Flamencos have been hailed as “A feast for the eyes and the ears” (Lindsay Miller, Theater On-Line) and “Flamenco with Soulfulness and a Burst of Springtime” (Gia Kourlas, New York Times).

CAROLINE PLANTÉ - 8REFLEXIONES
Friday, March 9, 7:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
$20 general admission
$15 students/members of: Instituto Cervantes, Arte y Vida Chicago, and the Flamenco Arts Center; Seniors. Limited seating.
carolineplante.com
Introduced to flamenco guitar at an early age by her father, Montreal-born Caroline Planté is one of the rare women who plays flamenco guitar professionally. Since 2005, she travels between Montreal and Madrid where she also is the musical director, composer and interpreter of Madrid based company Cruceta Flamenco. Her 8reflexiones, a debut after 17 years of experience of onstage and compositional experience, is an absolute success: it is the first flamenco album entirely composed and performed by a female guitarist. Integrating jazz and even electronica into her sound, Planté with renowned Madrid choreographer, dancer and percussionist Mariano Cruceta offers us an intimate taste of this singular music along with the DJ J. Godino and flamenco singer Pedro Obregon.
CANTECA DE MACAO
Monday, March 12, 9:00 p.m.
(Doors open at 8.00 p.m.)
Double Door
1572 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 489-3160
Tickets at BrownPaperTickets.com
Please note: This is a standing room event with limited seating at tables. 21+
cantecademacao.net
Canteca de Macao is the result of a combination of coincidences that took place in Madrid almost a decade ago.  From the beginning their connection with the audience was visceral.  When their first demo was downloaded more than 500,000 times, this casual grouping realized they were on to something and decided to give it all they got. The nine members of this mestizo band have managed to incorporate, a fusion of ska, reggae, salsa and flamenco rhythms in their own unique musical style. Their kinetic live performances are legendary. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the party that Canteca de Macao brings to each and every performance.
This performance by Canteca de Macao is presented by Arte y Vida Chicago.

FLAMENCO DOCUMENTARY FILM SERIES:
PAPAGORDO: EN CASA DE RAIMUNDO AMADOR
60 minutes, in Spanish with English subtitles
Monday, February 13th, 6:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
$5 suggested donation
Directors Laura Llamas y Víctor Morilla are flies-on-the-wall in the home of gypsy guitarist Raimundo Amador.  Over three decades, Raimundo has gone from playing music in the streets of the roughest neighborhoods of Sevilla to sharing stages with Camarón, BB King and Björk.  The title “Papagordo” comes from the name he is called by his grandson, and is particularly fitting for this intimate documentary.  This isn´t the story of a guitar genius, rather that of the customer at the fish shop, the father of six, the man who complains about his kidneys.  A universal talent who ties together family, love and home in his art.
This documentary won the “People’s Choice” award at the Beefeater International Festival of Music Documentaries in 2011.
MORENTE
Monday, February 20th, 6:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
$5 suggested donation
Morente is a musical documentary in which Enrique Morente, accompanied by the flamenco rhythms of songs developed from the words of Pablo Picasso, peels back the layers of his life for the viewer including where his own life encountered the story of the painter from Malaga and his dearest friend and fellow exile during the Spanish Civil War, the barber Eugenio Arias. This film is nominated for the Goya Awards 2012 for best documentary film. Directed by Emilio R. Barrachina.
FLAMENCO SCHOOL
THE SPANISH ROOM
Double Feature
Monday, February 27, 6:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
$5 suggested donation
FLAMENCO SCHOOL (2010) is a first-person, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to become a true flamenco: the discipline, the rehearsal and the understanding of the cante and baile, the song and dance. We follow individuals in various stages of their journey, students and professionals, to understand what inspires them.  Directed by Christopher Michael Roybal.   
THE SPANISH ROOM (2010) focuses primarily on the extensive time and effort that goes into producing one of Yjastros’ amazing shows, while also focusing on the many dedicated local people who give so much of their lives to improve their communities through flamenco.  Directed by Brent Morris & Reinhard Lorenz.
WORKSHOPS & OTHER ACTIVITIES
(Partial listing. More information at: chicago.cervantes.es, arteyvidachicago.com, flamencoartscenter.com )
LECTURE/PERFORMANCE: FLAMENCO CONNECTIONS
Wednesday, February 22, 6:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes Auditorium
31 W. Ohio Street
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 335-1996
[email protected]
$5 suggested donation
Presented by Catalina Maria Johnson, this lecture/performance brings together renowned Chicago musicians to explore the connections and parallels between Indian/Pakistani musical traditions and Flamenco, as Flamenco’s origins may be related to the music of gypsies that travelled from India to Spain in the mid 1400’s.
Carlo Basile is a classical and Spanish guitarist and founder of renowned ensemble Las Guitarras de España, which has been selected to present an official showcase at SXSW 2012. Patricia Ortega is a vocalist/composer and co-founder of Urban Flamenco Arts Project, whose work was featured in Las Guitarras de España latest CD, “Tantas Cosas.” Carlo and Patricia will share the stage with Saraswathi Ranganathan, master Veena player of the acclaimed Ensembles of Ragas and Satya, vocalist/composer from Bombay, India trained in South Indian Classical music in a musical conversation moderated by Catalina Maria Johnson, music writer and host/producer of public radio program “Beat Latino.”  www.beatlatino.com
Presented in collaboration with Arte y Vida, Old Town School of Folk Music and the Flamenco Arts Center.
This festival has been made possible by the Hilton Garden Inn Chicago and Baker & McKenzie.
Media Sponsors: Extra Bilingual Newspaper and Lawndale News
Discounted parking is available in the garage located next to our entrance on Ohio Street.  Students and visitors to the Instituto can take advantage
of a rate of $8.00 for up to 12 hours.  Please validate your ticket at our ground floor security desk.
For more information, visit chicago.cervantes.es