SPAC brings global spotlight to Saratoga with new flamenco residency
Dancers from Spain and the world over have arrived as part of the high-stakes Flamenco Certamen USA competition.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — Saratoga Springs’ arts legacy shines again — this time with flamenco dancers from Spain and all over the world, who have landed here for a five-day residency ahead of a prestigious (and career-making) competition.
The esteemed Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana arrived at SPAC yesterday to kick off a dance intensive with workshops, rehearsals with live musicians, and a masterclass open to the public. The dancers will then travel to NYC for an intense and high-stakes competition for scholarships to study in Spain and other prizes.
“The competition is for aspiring flamenco dancers who are ready to move into the professional phase of their career, but aren’t quite there yet,” says SPAC President Christopher Shiley. “They will work on their solo dances throughout the week here. And then it all culminates in this big competition in NYC with all-star flamenco judges. One winner is thrust into a more professional career through a cash prize and support for their career launch.”
Saratoga caught Vivo’s eye this past March, when the company performed at Spa Little Theater. Impressed by the SPAC School of the Arts’ facilities, proximity to NYC, and our town’s overall beautiful setting, the flamenco company moved their residency to the Spa City
.Flamenco originated in the south of Spain is a powerful and mesmerizing form of dance that tells a story through rhythm, song and music. “It’s visceral,” Shiley says. “It really draws you in with deliberate, sharp movements that create this incredible excitement and energy. There’s a rhythm component, too, where you can feel that beat and pulse.”
To involve the community, an all-ages adult masterclass will take place at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, October 14 at the School of the Arts. Students will receive instruction on using Spanish handclaps (palmas) in addition to flamenco footwork and arm movement.
“It’s part of our mission as an organization to not only present amazing artists and amazing organizations, but to be fostering art creation as well,” Shiley says. “Saratoga is a bit of a reprieve from that business of New York City life, where artists can do their best creative work. That’s all coming together here in a really beautiful way with this project.”
For more information or to register for tomorrow’s masterclass, visit spac.org.
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