SEPTEMBER 7TH & 8TH, 2024
FRONT ROW-BLUE SEATING: $50 | GA SEATING - RED SEATING: $35
Save with PROMO CODES: Front Row Seating [PWAC978B] or General Seating [PWAC978R]
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
carmen 'la chispa' montes
Carmen Montes has been described as “mesmerizing” by the Detroit Free Press and “beauty in motion” by the Metro Times. She is known as La Chispa (the Spark) for her passionate and vibrant interpretation of Cante Flamenco (flamenco song) and for her complex rhythmic zapateado. Born in Mapimi, Dgo., Mexico, Montes began her dance studies at the age of five in her native Mexico studying ballet, baile folklorico, and gymnastics. At age of 20, she moved to Michigan, USA where she started dancing Spanish classical dance with local instructor, Maria Del Carmen Montes. Eventually, Montes moved to Spain to immerse herself in the world of flamenco and was very fortunate to study with legendary families and artists of flamenco: Farruco Family, Carmen Ledesma, Concha Vargas, and Miguel Vargas. She has also studied cante flamenco with Esperanza Fernandez, which she feels is vital for dancers to do in order to understand the art form in a more profound way.
In 2010, Montes won the prestigious Kresge artist fellowship for Performing Arts. She is co-founder of the Center of Music and Performing Arts Southwest (COMPAS) where she continues to teach community workshops in Michigan. Valeria now serves as Executive and Artistic Director of Casa Flamenca in Albuquerque, NM where she is also a full-time instructor.
juani de la isla
Juan Francisco Gonzalez Caballero (Juani de la Isla) is a highly respected and world-renowned flamenco guitarist from the island of San Fernando near the port city of Cádiz, in southern Spain. He began his musical education studying with the great flamenco singer Rafael Romero and has been a student of the celebrated flamenco guitarist Manolo Sanlúcar. Juani de la Isla has also been trained in the gypsy flamenco style of “Morón” – a small pueblo in the heart of Andalucia’s flamenco country.
Throughout his illustrious career, he has accompanied some of the finest flamenco artists of this century: singers Jose Mercé, Chato de la Isla, Juan Villar, Rancapino, Pansequito and Aguilar de Vejer; and dancers Javier Barón, Sara Baras and Manuela Carrasco. He has composed music for the flamenco dance company of Cristina Hoyos and for over a decade has been the musical director for the popular flamenco singer “El Barrio.”
Juani de la Isla’s recording career includes participation on more than 100 albums with some of Spain’s finest flamenco artists including Jose Mercé, Joaquin Sabína, Paco Ortega, El Barrio and David de María. In 2015, he released his first solo CD “Libertad en Mis Manos.”
As a performer and teacher, Juani de la Isla has toured internationally. He has taught at universities worldwide.
MARIA DEL MAR FERNANDEZ
María del Mar Fernández, born in Cádiz, began her artistic career in her hometown, standing out from an early age in clubs and competitions throughout Andalusia between 1991 and 1996, together with the María del Mar Gutiérrez and Inma Salazar dance groups. In 1999 and 2000, she took her talents to Japan, performing at prestigious flamenco tablaos alongside El Toleo and La Tolea.
In 2001, María del Mar performed at the Tablao El Cordobés in Barcelona and toured England and Holland with the Paco Peña Company. The following year, she joined the Joaquín Cortés Company, taking her art to Mallorca and Italy, among other destinations. In 2003, she toured Australia and New Zealand with Rafael Aguilar's ballet.
In 2004 he toured again with the Paco Peña Company, consolidating his reputation in the world of flamenco. During 2005 and 2006, he continued to tour and participate in important shows with various companies. In 2008, he began working at the Tablao Casa Patas in Madrid, continuing his collaboration with multiple companies until 2011, including those of Gerardo Núñez and Luis Ortega.
Until 2017, María del Mar Fernández continued to dazzle in different flamenco tablaos in Barcelona, such as El Cordobés, and in Madrid, such as Corral de la Morería and Cardamomo. In 2018, she began her presence in the tablaos of Granada, performing in Jardines de Zoraya, La Alboreá, Albayzín and Los Tarantos, while she maintained performances in tablaos in Málaga and Barcelona.
In addition to her artistic career, María del Mar has extensive teaching experience in flamenco singing, teaching courses all over the world.
*Doors open 30 minutes prior to show | ALL AGES WELCOME
SHOW LOCATION:
ALAC DOWNTN PHX - 147 E Adams St, Phoenix, AZ-85004
**********************************
