Ensemble Español: Flamenco Passion

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“Spanish dance, unlike its counterparts in other concert dance genres,
is like fine wine that only improves with age. Ensemble Español proves the point.“
– Lynn Colburn Shapiro, SeeChicagoDance.com

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater
In residence at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago
48^TH Anniversary Celebration
Irma Suarez Ruiz, Artistic Director & Jorge Perez, Executive & Associate Artistic Director

Performance Schedule
(click event date to buy tickets)
Fri, Jun 07 at 7:30pm
Sat, June 08 at 7:30pm
Sun, June 09 at 3pm

Ensemble Español VIP-Pre-Opening Night Reception:
Preceding the Saturday, June 8 performance at 6:00pm there will be a “Meet the Artists”
VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception in the North Shore Center on the 2nd level.

Tickets are $65
(includes VIP seating for that evening’s performance and Spanish Tapas and Wine by Jaleos Restaurant).

Ensemble Español returns to the North Shore Center on June 7, 8 & 9 with Flamenco Passion celebrating their 48^th anniversary season as part of the American Spanish Dance and Music Festival!

World premier works along with company favorites will be presented with an all-star cast of Flamenco and Spanish classical artists to include: Flamenco superstar, La Lupi; Antonio Najarro, former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain and choreographer of Disney’s current animated feature film, WISH; International Flamenco sensation, Yinka Esi Graves; Raquel Gomez, former principal of the National Ballet of Spain; and guest musicians: Curro de Maria & Jose Alconchel, Flamenco guitarists; Jose Diego ‘El Cachito’, Flamenco singer; Diego ‘El Negro’ Alvarez, percussionist and Jose Moreno, Flamenco singer, percussionist, guitarist and dancer.

Audiences will experience the premiere company work titled “Viejos Aires / Flamenco Tango” from award-winning choreographer and former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain, Antonio Najarro. This work, set to the music of composer, Astor Piazzolla, features a fusion of Spanish classical style and Argentinean Tango and displays the sensuality, passion and elegance of Buenos Aires. Najarro, originally set the full-length work on his own company in 2001 in Madrid. It has since garnered rave critical reviews and standing ovations in several countries. Other company premiere works include the Flamenco Guajiras, Cuban influenced dance ‘Compas de Seda’ by La Lupi to original music composition by Curro and the Escuela Bolera style work, ‘Puerta de Tierra’ by Raquel Gomez set to the music of Spanish composer, Isaac Albeniz. This work is inspired and dedicated to founder, Dame Libby Komaiko who first performed this style of dance in 1977 with the first Ensemble Español company set by Nana Lorca, former artistic director of the National Ballet of Spain. Audience favorite and critically acclaimed work will include Irma Suarez Ruiz’s passionate, Pasion Oculta set to the music, Palladio, with the re-orchestration intro version Lux Aeterna / Requiem for a Tower by the quartet group, Escala, with lighting design by award winning designer, Dustin Derry.

“The company looked sensational… The guest artists set the stage on fire… a date worth keeping every summer.”
–Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

“Wowed the audience… Amazing”
–New York Times

Performance Schedule
(click event date to buy tickets)
Fri, Jun 07 at 7:30pm
Sat, June 08 at 7:30pm
Sun, June 09 at 3pm

For complete festival schedule to include
Spanish/Flamenco dance and music classes and symposium at Northeastern Illinois University
and Tablao Flamenco programs at Old Town School of Folk Music visit:
EnsembleFlamencoPassion.org