Flamenco dancers coming to Chadron

A popular American-based dance company with a Spanish-gypsy flavor will be performing at Memorial Hall at Chadron State College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13.

It is Flamenco Vivo led by Carlota Santana, who enjoys matriarchal status in the flamenco community. She founded the company in 1983 and has built it into one of the best. The 10-member troupe regularly performs before sold-out audiences in large theaters throughout North and Central America.

The presentation will combine the gypsy arts based on the dances and music of the several cultures that have inhabited southern Spain for centuries. Recent creations include a journey through Latin America to show how flamenco has been influenced by Caribbean, Latino and Afro-Latino sounds.

The performance also will feature many universal themes such as pride, sorrow, love and death.

“This will be a rare opportunity for residents of this region to see something that is not easily available to most of us,” said Loree MacNeill, director of cultural programs at Chadron State. “We were able to book them as they were on their way to Colorado Springs and Boulder to perform. This will be a delightful way to kick off the second semester.”

MacNeill said she saw a similar dance troupe when she was a teen-ager and has never forgotten it.

“It will be flashy, colorful because of the outstanding costuming, lively, passionate and even noisy,” she added. “There will be a whole lot of stomping going on.”

MacNeill noted that it is unusual for a traveling dance team to have live music, but it is anticipated that two guitarists and a singer will be on stage, too.

Santana was designated as “the keeper of Flamenco” by Dance Magazine in recognition of her commitment to creating new works and developing young dancers and choreographers. Recent creations include a story-ballet, “Mano a Mano,” a tribute to the Spanish art of the bullfight, and “Federico,” a celebration of the life of Federico Garcia Lorca, noted Spanish playwright and poet.

The New York Times called one of the shows, “An infectiously joyful celebration of music and dance.”

Tickets will be available through the Memorial Hall box office, which will open on Monday, Jan. 12. Messages may be left on the answering machine at 432-6360 or sent by e-mail to boxoffice@csc.edu. Tickets will be $10 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $5 for youths 18 and under. The same prices will apply at the door.