ARTE Y PASIÓN

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In order to make Arte y Pasión - Flamenco: Misterio del Flamenco featuring la Gran Belén Maya available to a broad audience, the cost of the event has been underwritten by H. Anthony Troche to significantly reduce the ticket price. Please consider co-sponsoring this event by making a donation. Sponsors will be recognized in the evening’s program. There will be opportunities to sponsor throughout the evening

H. ANTHONY TROCHE

EVENT SPONSOR

Arte y Pasion would like to express our deepest appreciation for H. Anthony Troche, without whom this production would not be possible; as producing work such as this takes resources, leadership, patience, and hours of preparation and daily practice.

Anthony has lived in San Antonio since 2004. He is a great supporter of the Arts in the city. He has traveled world-wide in his 38-year career in the U.S. Federal Government. He is also an athlete who competes in triathlons and a start-up author and enjoys the company of his cat Cinnamon.

Anthony has been a significant force behind our work, and it is important to note that it is thanks largely to his vision and support that we were able to power through the pandemic as we did, making productions from our outdoor amphitheater.

ARTE Y PASIÓN

FLAMENCO AND SPANISH DANCE ARTS COMPANY

The measure of any society or culture is the arts it produces. San Antonio continues to grow as a cultural city, supporting the growth of experimental works and the avant garde while nurturing the roots of the traditional. ARTE Y PASIÓN’S work dwells at the intersection. San Antonio is at a critical stage of growth, making this a crucial time for artists and makers in the City: Arte y Pasion has had a direct hand in shaping San Antonio’s cultural identity as the City develops on the national stage.

Arte y Pasión, founded in 2010, produces work that is at once avant-garde, interactive, classic, historical, informative, and playful. Arte y Pasión experiments with media and specific subject matter, using flamenco as an artist uses paint to a canvas.

Arte y Pasión, led by dancer and artistic director, Tamara Adira, is a company known for pushing the boundaries of flamenco and Spanish dance. Each performance is a visually stunning theatrical event comprised of independent artists, each highly accomplished, who come together to form one of the most contemporary Spanish dance companies in the country. The Company’s Mission is to share, promote and develop the authentic art of flamenco as a vehicle of healing and restoration, and the promotion of human rights and equality.

While the company is comprised of flamenco dance, guitar and flamenco singing, Arte y Pasión is known for having weaved into its artistic vocabulary disciplines such as modern dance, violin, cello, opera, spoken word, fine and performance art to generate juxtapositions and contrasts that elevate the purity of flamenco to an electrifying theatrical event. The company is known for their exchange work, attracting and engaging with acclaimed flamenco artists from Spain, France and around the world.

We are proud to have performed at such venues in San Antonio as the Brick at Blue Star and the Carver Community Cultural Center and has served as Tricentennial Partner, DreamWeek partner, signature performer for the UTSA Multicultural Conference and Luminaria, and is home to multiple Artist Foundation Awards Winners. Arte y Pasión’s work takes on a distinct social responsibility, addressing specific subject matter such as immigration and human rights issues. Members of Arte y Pasión have been awarded Artist Foundation of San Antonio Department for Original Choreography, Original Theatrical Production, Original Costume Design and Original Song Composition.

Arte y Pasión is honored to have shared the stage with such artists as the late great maestros of flamenco, Teo Morca and Timo Lozano, and is now proud to share the stage with the great maestra Belén Maya. The company's artistic direction has drawn from experience in experimental performance art through training with the late master of experimental performance art, John Cage, and continues to develop in the art of flamenco and experimental works, through collaboration with artists on both sides of the Atlantic.

BACKGROUND OF FLAMENCO

Flamenco is the national treasure of Spain and has become a cherished expression here in the American Southwest. While it is difficult to trace the roots of flamenco past 300 years, inscribed only recently by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the origins of flamenco are said to have started at the time of the reconquest of Spain, after seven centuries of peace between Christians, Jews, and Moors, when the Gypsies migrated through Spain. At the time of the Inquisition, the Gypsies, Moors and Jews found themselves in a place of deadly persecution. Those who weren't killed fled to the hills of Andalucía where they could not be found. It was in these caves that the first strains of flamenco could be heard. They would sing of their joys, pain, sorrows and hope. Flamencologists trace the word flamenco back to the colloquial Arabic felag mangu, meaning “fugitive peasant” and derived from a root meaning “to flee.” The art of flamenco has found its way to the American Southwest over the past century.

PARKING

The Roosevelt Library has about 50 complimentary self-parking spaces available to guests. Street parking is often available. Vehicles are not to be left in the Roosevelt Library parking lot overnight. An off-duty SAPD officer will be monitoring the parking lot throughout the event. The Roosevelt Library will not be liable for theft or damages to vehicles or the contents of vehicles.

MAP

History of the Roosevelt Library

In 1929 the library opened as the Roosevelt Park Branch Library, San Antonio’s South side library, and in 1968 it closed. The building is located across from the Roosevelt Park which marks the beginning of the Mission Reach Ecosystem Restoration and Recreation Project, an eight mile stretch of the San Antonio River that has received designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the building’s architect was John Marriott who also designed the Carnegie Library in Delaware, Ohio. Leland Stone purchased the building in 2013 and, as heralded by SA2020, it is a “new kind of gathering space.”

Belén Maya

DANCER

Belén Maya García was born by chance in New York in 1966 during one of her parents' tours, the dancers Mario Maya and Carmen Mora. This explains why Belén began dancing from a very young age. She studied classical, Hindu and contemporary dance in Italy, Germany and England. She debuted at the Zambra tablao, after her studies in Amor de Dios. Later, she performed at the Café de Chinitas and Corral de la Pacheca. She entered the Spanish National Ballet and a year later joined the company of Mario Maya, her father. Upon establishing her own company, she goes on tour through Japan until becoming a part of the Andalusian Dance Company.

In 1997, she creates a company with the singer Mayte Martín. This partnership resulted in two shows: "Mayte Martín and Belén Maya" and "Flamenco de Cámara". Both triumphed in important festivals such as the Jerez (2002 and 2003)

In 2004, she performed in “Los Caminos de Lorca” with the Andalusian Dance Company and performed at the debut of "Fuera de los Límites" with Rafaela Carrasco.

In 2005, she presented the show “Dibujos” in Madrid. After a long period of study with Juan Carlos Lérida and David Montero, Belén presents “Souvenir“ and “La Voz de su Amo” in March 2007. In 2008, she worked as guest artist in the show ”Mujeres”, a production of the Andalusian Agency for Development of Flamenco.

In 2009 and 2010, Belén Maya works in the production of "Bailes Alegres para Personas Tristes" and continues with national and international tours of "La Voz de Su Amo" and "Solos", the new version of the show "Dibujos" and other shows in which she performs as guest artist.

In 2014, Belén Maya celebrates three decades of professional life with "Los Invitados", a show that was given the Critic's Award at the Jerez Festival, the world's most important prize, dedicated to flamenco dance.

In 2015, she presents the show “Romnia” (women, in Romanian), of which she claims: ” Romnia are the voices of gypsy women who are not flamencas, but full of jondura. My body aims to give life to those black sounds that arrive from the Orient full of sorrows kneaded by thousands of displaced persons throughout our history.”

José Cortés Fernández

SINGER

José Cortés Fernández was born in the south of France in 1974 from an important gypsy family from Almería. At the age of ten, Jose began his career in Jerez de la Frontera where he won the Premio del Joven Aficionado del Cante flamenco, accompanied on guitar by “Terremoto Hijo.”

He was immersed in the world of flamenco with the greatest artists, such as Terremoto, Pansequito, Camarón de la Isla, Moraito Chico and Tomatito. Since then, he has shared the stage with the best artists, including Belen Lopez, Alfonso Losa, Sergio Arranda, , Juan Ogalla ,María del Mar Moreno, Antonio de la Malena, Manuel de la Malena, Mara Martinez, Andrés Peña, Pilar Ortega, David Paniagua, Juañares, Nino de los Reyes, Jesus Carmona, Isaac de los Reyes, Belen Maya, Maria Juncal, Domingo Ortega, Concha Jareño y Carmen Ledesma. He moved to the United States and now works with many amazing artists such as Carola Zertuche "Teatro Flamenco," and Yaelisa “Camino Flamenco”. Recently Jose was invited to be Antonio Carmona's (Ketama) backup singer at the Nokia Theater for the Eva Longoria's Foundation. In 2014 Jose had the honor to sing for the San Francisco Opera in Giselle. Since 2014 Jose has worked with the Aspen Ballet Juan Siddi Company with whom he toured in Hawaii, Canada and New Mexico and had the honor to perform at the Joyce Theater in New York City .

An incredible and traditional artist, José Cortés Fernández surprises us now by taking a step forward in his conception of flamenco by making pure flamenco live alongside other genres.

La Memphi

VOCALIST

La Memphi is a unique combination of musician, recording artist, producer, arranger, songwriter, and flamenco artist (singer and dancer) Born in Toronto, Canada, she has toured, taught and collaborated extensively across Canada, USA, Mexico, Spain, Colombia and Guatemala.

Her original album "Where I Rest" has earned her numerous accolades including two consecutive invitations to attend BoomBogota Music Market (Sony Records, Warner Music, Rhythm Foundation), a CBC Radio Canada Live concert as well as a spot as semi-finalist for CBC Radio Canada Search Light.

She has been invited to showcase her music through Yamaha Guitar Clinic concert series, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, as well as being opener for legendary songstress Ana Gabriel in Cali, Colombia at the historic Estadio Pascual Guerrero with an audience of 30.000 patrons. She's been featured on numerous recordings including collaborations with Paul Rodgers (George Strait) and Beaird Music Group (Nashville, TN) La Memphi is the recipient of two consecutive scholarships granted by The Vancouver Foundation which enabled her to move to Sevilla, Spain in 2004 and attend the world renown Fundacion Flamenco Cristina Heeren.

Throughout the years she has had the privilege of studying with some of the most prominent figures in Flamenco (Joaquin Grilo, David Hornillo, Sonia Miranda, Isabel Bayon, Fuensanta "La Moneta", El Farru, Olga Pericet, Milagros Mengibar). Other performance highlights include: Flamencos por America (Bogota, Colombia), Festival de Artes Escenicas del Gran Caribe (Cartagena, Colombia) Expolatino (Calgary, AB) numerous shows throughout the years for the Vancouver, Victoria and Calgary International Flamenco Festivals and regular collaborations with Toronto based dancer Carmen Romero (Uno Dos y Tres as part of Dusk Dances, Dora Award winning "Jacinto" and Y Entonces).

Berto Boyd

GUITARIST & COMPOSER

Berto Boyd began his musical training on the piano at age 5 and has been playing guitar for over 30 years. A rigorous musician and a careful researcher, Berto has studied in Spain and performed throughout the United States with some of the world’s finest Flamenco, Classical and Jazz artists. Born into a family of artists, which includes famed lead singer, Brandon Boyd of the multiplatinum band Incubus, he is one of the rare and few Americans who has dedicated his musical dreams to mastering the art of the Spanish guitar and composing original Flamenco music.

He currently resides in Portland, Oregon where he is Musical Director for Flamenco Pacifico, Artistic Director of the Corvallis Guitar Society and the owner of Berto Boyd Presents LLC. Berto’s debut album “Esmeralda” was released in 2003 featuring all original Flamenco compositions. In 2017, he released the debut album “Convivencia” with his group Flamenco Pacifico which was nominated for “Best World/Global Fusion Album of 2017” by One World Music Awards. In 2020, Berto signed with Latin-American Classical label Caoba Records. Berto has artist endorsements with Shubb Capos, Royal Classics Strings (Spain), MiniFlex Mics, The2Mic, and Alba Guitar Beads. In Berto's free time he enjoys transcribing music and skateboarding at the world famous Burnside Skatepark.

Jose Manuel Alconchel

FLAMENCO GUITARIST

Jose, was born and raised in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. He is the son of singer Pepe Alconchel. At the early age of 9, Jose began playing the guitar with Jose Luis Balao and Manuel Lozano “El Carbonero”. He continued his studies with the great guitarist Gerardo Nunez and won an award for best accompanist in the Flamenco Guitar contest in Sanlucar de Barrameda, Cadiz (1997). In 2005, he became part of the Spanish dance group “ Raices” directed by Susana Vasco, who’s work combined flamenco and fusion performances. In his professional career, he has played in Nina Pastori’s album “ Entre Dos Puertos”, and collaborated and worked with artists such as Merche Esmeralda, Manuel Reyes, Maria Juncal, and more.

Andrea 'Vocab' Sanderson

POET, SINGER, HIP HOP ARTIST

She is known on stage as 'Vocab' has been a spoken word artist since 2001. Andrea was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. She was a slam poet from 2004-2008 and was member 4 teams that competed at National Poetry Slam. She has featured at: DePauw University, Morehouse College, Cameron University, Rice University, Texas Lutheran University, University of Incarnate Word, Texas A & M, St. Mary’s and Trinity University. In December of 2016 she was a guest teacher for the groundbreaking course: Black Women Beyonce & Popular Culture at University of Texas at San Antonio this course gained international attention and is featured in various publications worldwide. She was featured on the KLRN show Arts which aired in February of 2017.

She was the master of ceremonies for the 19th Annual International Women’s Day March held in San Antonio, Texas. Currently Andrea is a WIC Writer for Gemini Ink and a member of Arte y Pasion, a performance art organization. Andrea also enjoys doing volunteer organizing with the Martinez St. Women's Center, Rape Crisis Center, and Haven for Hope. In October of 2011 she released a c.d. entitled Vocab Presents: Sessions In Flight and it is available on iTunes.

Andrea finds inspiration in the poetry of Dr. Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, and classic soul lyrics. She infuses complex rhyme schemes and inspirational text into her work that ring true to her gospel and hip hop roots. She is is an advocate of community outreach and loves mentoring teen poets. She is a co-founder and on the Board of Directors member of the non-profit organization, Write Art Out. She was voted in the top three, Best R&B Band/Artist, by the San Antonio Current for 2012 & 2013. The poetry spot 2nd Verse that she co-hosts won, Best Open Mic in the Nation, in 2011 & 2012. She was nominated for RAW Artist Award in the category of Performance Art in 2013. In December of 2017, Andrea won the Influencer of the Year Award, from The Creator Awards. In 2019 She won Performer of Year Award presented by Project Forward. In 2018, she was presented with the Dream Voice Award at the Inaugural Mayor’s Ball in San Antonio, Texas by Dream Voice/Dream Week. In 2014 she had the honor of opening up for Motionhouse dance theatre company from the UK. She was featured in Fill Your Lungs with Fresh Air: Matisse and Writing, at the San Antonio Museum of Art. She was featured in a documentary entitled, Close to the Line, which won Best Short Documentary in the Capital City Black Film Festival.

In 2015 she traveled internationally to Abu Dhabi performing at Al Dhafra Airbase. She serves as a creative Writer In the Community for Gemini Ink & Barrio Writers, co-hosts: 2nd Verse, Jazz & Poetry with a Purpose, and Fresh Ink Youth Slam. In 2016, her writings were archived at Palto Alto College along with many other San Antonio poets. The ceremony for this event, Pen to Paper: Celebrating Local Poets, was endorsed and publicized by the office of the, Poet Laureate of San Antonio. Her poetry is published in T he Texas Observer, January 2016 2 Issue, L ove Poems to San Antonio, February 2016. Pariah Anthology SFA Press, March 2016, and Sycorax’s Daughters, Cedar Groove Publishing, January 2017. In 2018 and 2021, she released her theatre production, The Bad Mama Jama Mixtape: A Woman's Soundtrack to Life, to sold-out capacity crowds at The Carver Theatre.

Tamara Adira

DANCER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of Arte y Pasión

“Always remembering the masters of flamenco, Adira keeps a keen eye to the future. Bridging both the traditional and the new school, Adira proves to be one of the most creative visions in the South Texas flamenco scene.” – The Rivard Report

Tamara Adira is a dancer, choreographer, and founder/ Artistic Director of Arte y Pasión, a Texas based nonprofit company whose mission is to share, promote and develop the authentic art of flamenco as a vehicle of healing and restoration, and the promotion of human rights and equality.

Tamara has conceived, produced and performed artistic direction for over 30 theatrical flamenco productions between 2010 and the present. In 2010 Tamara founded Arte y Pasión, and in 2021 Tamara made Arte y Pasión a Texas Non-Profit. Through Arte y Pasión, Tamara Adira has nurtured the connection between San Antonio and Spain for over a decade. Through Tamara’s efforts and dedication, Arte y Pasión has brought flamenco artists from Spain to work with American artists since before 2010, fostering the continued growth and evolution of the art of flamenco in San Antonio and greater Texas.

For her work for social justice, Tamara was recently featured in Nicole Marie Moore’s “Valiant Women Then and Now,” a photo exhibit and biography celebrating women, inspired by the book “Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico: Portraits of Soldaderas, Saints, and Subversives.” She has been featured in SA Monthly Magazine and San Antonio Woman and was recognized by Eleanora Magazine as “Top 50 Women to Watch in Texas.” She is 2015 winner of the Artist Foundation of San Antonio Department for Culture & Creative Development award for “Original Choreography” and 2010 winner of the Artist Foundation of San Antonio Bernard Lifshutz Award for “Original Theatrical Production.”

Tamara is known for her work across mediums bridging gaps between music, cultures and media. In Mar 2022, she directed the production “Confluencias” which bridged the gaps between flamenco, Spanish classical, and American soul in a collaboration with artists from Madrid, Portland, and San Antonio Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson in a dedication to the people in Ukraine.

She was handpicked by Ballet San Antonio to solo in Don Quixote in March 2022, as well as provide instruction in Spanish movement and anatomy for the corps de ballet. Her film Grito de los Árboles was selected by the Montreal Independent Film Festival. She was handpicked to collaborate with such organizations as Luminaria, DreamWeek, SOLI Chamber Ensemble, Oliver Rajamani’s Flamenco India, Wayne Holtz’s opening for Big Freedia, and Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson’s Bad Mama Jama Mixtape, and performed for such dignitaries as Ron Nirenberg and First Lady Erika Prosper, Wendy Davis, Joaquin Castro, Julian Castro, and a Presidential Rally for John Kerry. She has appeared in such programs as America’s Next Top Model.

A graduate of MIT, her early performances and projects have been featured in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program through the MIT Media Lab and Center for Advanced Visual Studies. During this time, she was handpicked to participate in a Harvard University residency under John Cage. Counterbalancing her studies in traditional flamenco, Adira leverages her experience in experimental and contemporary performance, with seeds based in her John Cage residency. Tamara has recently completed a residency in Sevilla with Belen Maya, in Madrid with Daniel Caballero, and is almost through her Executive MBA.