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 16 and Saturday, June 17; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18. These performances will cap the company’s 47th multi-faceted American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 16-24).
The performances feature a diverse program showcasing Flamenco, Classical and Folkloric Spanish dance styles in both traditional and contemporary genres. Selections will include:
- “Amangue” (2023) choreographed by guest artist Isaac Tovar; performed by the Ensemble Español Company dancers set to the music of composer and guitarist Curro de Maria. WORLD PREMIERE
- “Desde Cai” (2019), choreographed and performed by guest artist Isaac Tovar in the Alegrias style. CHICAGO PREMIERE
- “La Vida Breve” / The Brief Life” (2022) choreographed and performed by guest artist Isaac Tovar.
- “Mediterraneo” (2023) choreographed and performed in the Alegrias style by guest artist Irene “La Chiqui” Lozano. WORLD PREMIERE
- “Donde Todo Comienza” (2022) choreographed and performed by guest artist Irene “La Chiqui” Lozano in the Tarantos style. AMERICAN SPANISH DANCE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL PREMIERE
— plus popular works from Ensemble Español’s repertoire:
- “Rendicion / Rendition” (2013), a flamenco contemporary company work by Ensemble Español Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz performed to the music of David Peña Dorantes.
- “Sur / South” (2015) a full company ballet in the Escuela Bolera-Flamenco contemporary style by Raquel Gomez, former principal of the National Ballet of Spain, with music by David Peña Dorantes and percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei.
- “Pasos Largos / Long Steps” (2022) by “award-winning Flamenco phenom” (Chicago Tribune) La Lupi set to the music of composer and guitarist, Curro de Maria in the Flamenco Caña style.
- “Fantasia Regional” (2010) a Folklore Suite (4 excerpts from the provinces of Valencia, Extremeno, Galicia) with choreography by Folklorist expert Juanjo Linares, Ensemble Español founder Dame Libby Komaiko and former principals of the National Ballet of Spain Paloma Gomez and Cristian Lozano, performed by Ensemble Español Company dancers and members of the Youth Company.
- “Tangos De Granada” (2021) choreographed by Wendy Clinard, founder and artistic director of her Chicago-based namesake, Clinard Dance.
Joining the members of Ensemble Español in performance will be guest dancer/choreographers including Irene “La Chiqui” Lozano (Malaga), recently awarded the “Premio Desplante” at the Festival Internacional de Minas in Spain, one of the most prestigious flamenco awards in the world; and Isaac Tovar (Seville), recipient of numerous 1st prizes in dance including the renowned Concurso IV Internacional de Danza in Almería, the Concurso Nacional de la Perla de Cádiz and the XXVII Concurso Nacional de Ubrique. Featured musicians will include: Curro de Maria (guitarist); Paco Fonta (singer & guitarist) and Jose Moreno (percussionist).
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 16 and Saturday, June 17; and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18. Tickets are $25-$55. To purchase tickets and for more information visit 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 47th American Spanish Dance and Music Festival which also features these related events:
VIP-Pre-Opening Night Reception: Preceding the Friday, June 16 performance there will be a “Meet the Artists” VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception in the North Shore Center on the 2nd level. Tickets are $65 (and include VIP seating for that evening’s performance). To purchase tickets and for more information visit NorthShoreCenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.
Festival Spanish Dance Classes at Northeastern Illinois University Dance Studios: The festival offers 44 dance classes in the Escuela Bolera, Folklore and Flamenco styles including Flamenco guitar, song and percussion. Classes are presented in multiple levels from beginners introductory with no previous Spanish dance experience required to intermediate and advanced. This year’s star line up of instructors includes Ensemble Español Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz, guest artists Raquel Gomez, Isaac Tovar, Irene “La Chiqui” Lozano, Jose Moreno and Paco Fonta. For more class information and registration visit ensembleflamencopassion.org/classes or call 773.442.5916.
About Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
Ensemble Español, founded in 1976 by artistic director Dame Libby Komaiko (1949-2019), 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, company successors, 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 locally, nationally and internationally. 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 about Ensemble Español, visit EnsembleEspanol.org.
Festival Sponsors, Partners Collaborators: Northeastern Illinois University, The Hurvis Group, Ragsdale Estate, Illinois Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Eugene & Sasha Gerritson, Florian Fund, Microsoft, Ms. Frances Ufkes, Dr. Salme & Michael Steinberg, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Clinard Dance Theater, Youth Crossroads, Instituto Cervantes, International Latino Cultural Center.
Media Sponsors, Collaborators: FourStar Branding, Carol Fox & Associates, Chicago Latino Network, Spanish Public Radio, Hispanic Pro, Comcast, Negocios Now, LenGar Marketing