Vancouver International Flamenco Festival announces 35th edition, September 20 to 28
From short film “Sois” to fiery masterclasses and a flamenco-infused take on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, there’s plenty in the lineup
Rosario Ancer of Flamenco Rosario.
Palabra Flamenco’s Dark Sounds. Photo by Lia Crowe
Still from the short film “Sois”.
THE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL Flamenco Festival has just unveiled the lineup for its 35th edition, with everything from a passionate interpretation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to beginner masterclasses in store.
The festivities kick off on September 20 and 21 with a free flamenco showcase at the Granville Island Picnic Pavilion. Performances occur every hour for much of the afternoon, with free introduction courses for children and adults also offered.
Montreal director Simon C. Vaillancourt’s short film “Sois” (“Be”) screens on September 23 at 7 pm in a co-presentation with Alliance Française Vancouver, at the organization’s new cultural facility. The work focuses on a dancer exploring a duality within herself that’s suffocated by social conditioning; the concept and choreography are by flamenco artist Shraddha Danielle Blaney.
At the Waterfront Theatre on September 24 at 8 pm, Victoria’s Palabra Flamenco performs Dark Sounds, a fusion of North American speech and flamenco intensity. Dancer Denise Yeo, guitarist Gareth Owen, and poets Garth Martens and Jan Zwicky dive into dark themes of sex, family, and love in a multidisciplinary show full of urgency. Vancouver Writers Fest is the community partner for the presentation.
Seffarine—an ensemble composed of Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki and flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp—performs a rich combination of Moroccan and Arabic-Andalusian music from its debut album De Fez a Jerez on September 25 at 8 pm, also at the Waterfront Theatre, in a co-presentation with Caravan World Rhythms. Bassist Yosmel Montejo and kamancheh (Persian bowed string instrument) player Bobak Salehi round out the performance, as does Manuel Gutierrez and his explosive flamenco footwork.
Seffarine. Photo by Anna Webber
And at the same venue on September 26 at 8 pm, Karen Flamenco melds classical music and flamenco with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, reinterpreted by composer Max Richter with flamenco guitarist Gerardo Alcalá and cantaora Justine Reinhart.
At the Vancouver Playhouse on September 27 at 8 pm, Flamenco Rosario (founders of the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival) celebrates 35 years of passion with Soulfulness; the evening of solos and ensemble works stars international guest artists Macarena López, Pilar Fernández, Davide Sampaolo, José Díaz (“El Cachito”), and Caroline Planté.
The festival’s main offerings wrap with La Música del Flamenco in Mel Lehan Hall at St. James Community Square on September 28 at 8 pm. Vocalist Díaz and guitarist Planté return for an intimate traditional concert, with openers Jafeline Palacios and Gerardo Alcalá. Earlier in the day at the same venue, Díaz leads an all-levels cante (song) and palmas (hand-clapping) workshop, in which participants can explore basic rhythms like tangos, bulerías, and fandangos.
A few more masterclasses are set to take place throughout the festival. At the Scotiabank Dance Centre, Seffarine collaborator Gutierrez leads a fiery advanced class on September 24, and Sevillian dancer López presents an all-levels class on September 28. And on September 20, Rosario Ancer of Flamenco Rosario puts on a free introductory class for folks with little or no experience; expect an overview of techniques, including palmas, compás (flamenco rhythm), zapateado (basic footwork), and braceo (armwork and handwork).
Tickets for all performances and masterclasses are now on sale. 
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