GW’s Lisner Auditorium and Jaleo by José Andrés Present 2016 Flamenco Festival

The George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium, in partnership with Jaleo, will continue its season-long celebration of Iberian culture with Flamenco Festival, a celebrated series that highlights Flamenco dancers across generations and styles. 

 

The four-day festival, picked by the Washingtonian magazine as the top thing to do in March, begins on March 8, with Farruquito, a Flamenco dancer from Seville, Spain. The festival includes some of the most important performers in Flamenco dance, from world-renowned veterans to newcomers. 

 

Farruquito’s performance at Lisner is part of his first U.S. tour in more than a decade. He is regarded as one of the most faithful representatives of “flamenco puro” – the dance in its traditional state. A phenomenally popular artist both in Spain and around the world, his precise yet passionate dancing style embodies this rich cultural heritage. At Lisner he will perform “Improvisao,” a master class in authentic and visceral Flamenco and an intimate show centered on daring improvisation. 

 

As part of Flamenco Festival, Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, a dance company based in Seville, Spain, will perform “Images: 20 Years” on March 12. Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, recognized as the most important representation of Flamenco art in Spain, performs “Images” under the direction of Rafaela Carrasco. The company will celebrate its 20th anniversary with this performance, revisiting five of the most celebrated choreographies in its repertoire. Not only a tribute to the company’s former directors who also inspired Ms. Carrasco during her career, the show is also an interpretation of the rich history of Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía.

 

Rocío Molina, a Spanish dancer on the forefront of modern Flamenco, comes to Lisner on March 18. Ms. Molina has been awarded many of Spain’s top accolades, including National Dancer of the Year in 2010. She has been described as an “exceptional artist” by the New York Times, and wowed audiences at Lisner in 2010. She will perform “Danzaora,” which explores her personal dance language combining Flamenco with traditional “bolero” and Spanish classical dance.

 

On March 19, Lisner will host “Qasida,” a musical collaboration between Sevillian folksinger Rosario Guerrero “La Tremendita” and Iranian traditional vocalist Mohammad Motamedi. In Qasida, songs of Spanish folk poetry and Persian high art merge into a musical world in which the Muslim Spain of old is revived.  

 

Chef José Andrés’ Jaleo team will be on-site before each performance providing complimentary bites for attendees. Additionally, from March 7 to March 20 all D.C.-area Jaleo locations will be hosting three Flamenco brunches and featuring special tapas and a “Flamenco Flight” of sherry to celebrate the festival. For more information, please visit www.jaleo.com.   

 

Media interested in covering Flamenco Festival shows must contact Kurie Fitzgerald at [email protected], or 202-994-6461. 

 

Tickets may be purchased by calling GW Lisner’s box office at 202-994-6800, or by visiting www.lisner.gwu.edu. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the Lisner box office. Box office hours are Tuesday – Friday, noon – 6 p.m.