The Ensemble Español Center for Spanish Dance Music at Northeastern University is celebrating the start of its fourth decade with the American Spanish Dance Festival, which includes a cast of fifty dancers, singers, musicians and international guest artists designed to bring Spain to Chicago by fusing traditional, classical, folk, Flamenco and theatrical productions. World premieres include the Flamenco work “Cabo de Gata,” which will be choreographed and performed by Carmela Greco, daughter of the legendary José Greco, “Tan Lejos, Tan Cerca,” which will be choreographed and performed by Paloma Gomez and Christian Lozano of the National Ballet of Spain, and “Andalucia Flamenca,” with commissioned choreography by Greco and performed with the full company and guest artists. American premieres include “El Albaicin,” choreographed and performed by Gomez and Lozano and “Las Algerias,” choreographed and performed by Lozano. Also included on the program is the Spanish national dance “Alma de Aragon,” choreographed by Paco Alonso, “Amor Eterno,” a passionate duet choreographed and performed by Irma Suarez Ruiz Jorge Perez and “Tiempos de Goya,” Ensemble Español founder and director Dame Libby Kaimako’s multi-media signature work that merges classical and contemporary Flamenco, which will be performed by the entire company. Flamenco musicians from Spain that will perform include singers Antonio Gabarri Jimenez, guitarist Paco Fonta Pansequito, tenor Luis Galvez, percussionists Kassandra Kocoshis, violinist Michael Gadzinski and flutist Cynthia Aguirre. (Dennis Polkow)
The American Spanish Dance Festival runs at Northeastern Illinois University’s Fine Arts Center Auditorium, 3701 West Bryn Mawr, (773)442-5916, through June 24. $45.
Out of Darkness: A Preview of Giordano Dance at the Harris Theater Miranda Davis' new piece about hope in the face of adversity is the latest in a series of commissions intended to push the company’s boundaries and explore the intersections of jazz, modern and contemporary aesthetics.
