Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings their popular “Flamenco Passion” performances to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8 and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9. These performances are part of the company’s 48th multi-faceted American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 7-15).
“Flamenco Passion” program highlights include the world premiere of “Viejos Aires” / Flamenco Tango as reset on Ensemble Español by Antonio Najarro, award-winning choreographer and former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain, choreographer of Disney movie "WISH.” Najarro’s work features a fusion of Spanish classical style and Argentinean Tango and displays the sensuality, passion and elegance of Buenos Aires.
Additional world premieres include “Resliencia”/Resilience and “El Bolero de Puerta de Tierra” (Escuela Bolera) choreographed by Raquel Gomez, former principal dancer and Rehearsal Director of the National Ballet of Spain; the Cuban influenced dance “Compas de Seda”/Silk Rhythm choreographed by Flamenco superstar La Lupi, to an original music composition by Curro de Maria; and “Solea” by British Flamenco dancer, practitioner and educator Yinka Esa Graves.
Works from Ensemble Espanol’s repertoire included in the program include “Sur” by Raquel Gomez (2015); “Fantasia Suite Regional” choregraphed by Juanjo Linares and Nana Lorca (1977); “Pasion Oculta”/Hidden Passion choreographed by Ensemble Español Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz (2019).
Joining the members of Ensemble Español in performance will be guest dancer/choreographers including Raquel Gomez, Yinka Esi Graves, La Lupi and Antonio Najarro; and featured musicians including José Díaz “El Cachito” (singer), José Alconchel and Curro de Maria (guitarists); Diego “El Negro” Alvarez and José Moreno (percussionists).
“Every ‘Flamenco Passion’ festival performance is meant to entertain and highlight the timeless yet ever-evolving art that is Flamenco as performed by Chicago’s premiere Spanish dance company Ensemble Español,” says Executive Director and Associate Artistic Director Jorge Perez. “We also pride ourselves in our record of collaborating with some of the most exciting voices in Flamenco, Escuela Bolera, Classical and Folkloric as we maintain our important role as active participants in the continue evolution of this exciting music and dance form,” says Ruiz, Ensemble Español Artistic Director.
The complete program is attached to this release. Please note: programming and guest artists are subject to change.
Tickets
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater presents three “Flamenco Passion” performances at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Tickets are $25-$55. To purchase tickets and for more information visit www.NorthShoreCenter.org or call 847.673.6300. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For more information call 773. 442.5916.
Related American Spanish Dance and Music Festival Special Events
The “Flamenco Passion” performances are part of Ensemble Español’s 48th American Spanish Dance and Music Festival which also features these related events:
● "Flamenco Passion" Artists VIP Reception in the North Shore Center preceding the Saturday, June 8 performance. Tickets are $65 (includes VIP seating for that evening’s performance). To purchase tickets and for more information visit NorthShoreCenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.
● Free Ethnic Dance & Music Symposium 2024 at NEIU (June 10-12) Topics include: “The Complexities of Covering Ethnic Dance & Music” and “Arts Economic Ecosystem: The New Workforce Development Plan to Build Strong Community” (June 10); Ethnic Arts Crossing Genres” and “Expanding Flamenco Musical Language: (June 11) and “It’s a Family Affair Ethnic Art, Oral Traditions, Art as a Way of Life” and “From Flamenco to Tap and All That Jazz” (June 12). All sessions take place at NEIU, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. For more information and to register visit ensembleflamencopassion.org/symposium.
● Festival Spanish Dance and Music Classes at Northeastern Illinois University Dance Studios NEIU, 5500 N. St. Louis Avenue (June 10-15) Over 100 Spanish dance and music classes in Flamenco, Classical, Escuela Bolera and Folklore. Single class rate $35. For more class information and registration visit ensembleflamencopassion.org/classes or email at Patricia Mendez at patricia.mendez@eesdt.org.
● Concerts at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. - "Flamenco to Tap and All That Jazz" with Yinka Esi Graves, Wendy Clinard, Bril Barrett, Diego "El Negro" Álvarez, José Moreno, José Diaz "Cachito", José Manuel Alconchel, 8 p.m. June 13; "Duende Flamenco" with La Lupi, Nino de los Reyes, Curro de María, Diego "El Negro" Álvarez, José Moreno and José Diaz "Cachito" 8 p.m. June 15. Tickets: $30. For tickets visit oldtownschool.org/concerts.
About Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
Ensemble Español, founded in 1976 by Dame Libby Komaiko, is the premiere Spanish dance company and center in the U.S. with a professional and unique residency at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. Under the artistic direction of Irma Suarez Ruiz and executive leadership of Jorge Perez, the Ensemble continues its mission of preservation, presentation and promotion of Spanish dance and culture which also includes the exploration of the country’s history in the; Flamenco, Folkloric, Classical and Escuela Bolera styles and identifies its influence on Latin American art and dance in both traditional and contemporary formats. They forge ahead as the leaders in Spanish dance and culture with a commitment to our communities, via performances, education, school residencies, academic university programs, festivals and tours. They remain committed to their roots in education and mission of educational, artistic, and social development. Their incredibly rich history includes serving over 30,000 students annually, training over 90 company dancers, training over 160 Youth Company dancers from ages 12 to 18, over 90 international guest artists and musicians from Spain and the Americas, over 2,600 scholarships awarded to talented aspiring dancers, musicians and educators, tours and residencies of U.S., including Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Poland, Australia, Canada, China and Spain. For more information on concerts, performances, classes and residencies, visit EnsembleEspanol.org
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre in residence at Northeastern Illinois University is grateful to the following 48th Season Festival Partners and Sponsors: Northeastern Illinois University, Interim President, Katrina Bell-Jordan, Ph.D., NEIU Department of Music and Dance, Caerus Foundation, Hurvis Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Microsoft, Eugene Jarvis and Sasha Gerritson, Salme and Michael Steinberg, Sonia Florian,Estate of Gregory Ragsdale and the Ragsdale Family, FourStar Branding, The Nest, Jaleo by Jose Andres, Atzimba Catering and Events, Stonewolf Studios, Clinard Dance Theater, Instituto Cervantes, International Latino Cultural Center, Negocios Now, HMS Media and Chicago Dance Supply.
Special thank you to the Northeastern Illinois University Board of Trustees, NEIU Foundation, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts and festival official hotel sponsor, Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore and O’Hare.