ARTE Y PASIÓN

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BECOME A SPONSOR

In order to make Arte y Pasión - Flamenco: Past Present and Future 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

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 Marmalade.

ARTE Y PASIÓN gives special thanks to H. Anthony Troche for sponsorship and vision for the production Arte y Pasión: Flamenco Past Present and Future. Producing work such as this takes hours of preparation and daily practice. Anthony’s support has been a significant force for ARTE Y PASIÓN.

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.

We are honored to have shared the stage with such artists as the late great maestros of flamenco, Teo Morca and Timo Lozano. The company 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.”

ARTISTS

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.

Sir Edwin Aparicio

DANCER

Edwin Aparicio is considered to be one of the most sought-after flamenco performers, teachers and choreographers in the United States. He has been described by critics as “the most amazing dancer seen in years,” “a technical powerhouse dancing with blistering conviction,” having “hellfire footwork” and choreographies with “beautiful, evocative imagery." He is a recipient of the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit, granted by the King Felipe VI of Spain.

Trained by the world-renowned flamenco artists Tomás de Madrid and “La Tati”, Mr. Aparicio made his debut at the legendary Casa Patas in Madrid in 2001 and in 2005 performed as a soloist and a company member with “Jóvenes Flamenco” at the Centro Cultural de San Blas in Madrid. Mr. Aparicio performed with The Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center in El Gato Montés (1997) and in Don Giovanni (2003), under the direction of Plácido Domingo, and in Carmen (2015).

Mr. Aparicio has performed as a soloist throughout the United States with ensembles such as the “José Greco Spanish Dance Company” and Reynaldo Rincón’s “Romería Flamenca”. He has shared the stage with such internationally celebrated artists as Chuscales, Silverio Heredia, Roberto Castellón, Pedro Cortés, “La Truco”, Elena Andújar, Carmela Greco, Pastora Galván and José Luis Rodríguez.

Based in Washington DC, Mr. Aparicio has created a loyal following as an instructor, performer, director and choreographer in the nation’s capital. He also frequently performs and imparts master classes in other US cities, such as Chicago, where he was invited to participate in several special programs organized by the Flamenco Arts Center and the Cervantes Institute.

In 2005 Mr. Aparicio was the choreographer for the GALA Hispanic Theatre’s highly praised production of Lorca’s Yerma, directed by the acclaimed Hugo Medrano. Since then GALA Theatre has become Mr. Aparicio’s base for presenting his eclectic company and for premiering his newest works. He is also the resident coordinator and a featured performer of the Theatre’s annual Fuego Flamenco Festival.

Mr. Aparicio is the artistic director and choreographer of the productions Flamenco Men, Flamenco/Flamenca, Camino / al flamenco, and Encuentros, co-director and choreographer of Bailes Inéditos, director and choreographer of the nationally acclaimed productions Íntimo with Carmela Greco, which was presented in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Portland OR, and at the Kean University in New Jersey, and Entresueño, which marked Mr. Aparicio’s New York City debut as a company director.

Since 2008 Mr. Aparico is a member of the faculty at the Washington School of Ballet. In May 2013 he performed as a guest artist in The Washington Ballet's production of Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

2015 marked Mr. Aparicio's international debut as a director, when he presented his work Íntimo at the Teatro Nacional Rubén Darío in Managua, Nicaragua.

Randy Cordero

GUITARIST

Randy Cordero, also known as "El Garrobo", is a flamenco guitarist based in San Antonio, Texas. Randy has studied the art of flamenco both in Spain and in the U.S. with prestigious guitarists such as Rene Heredia, Roberto Castellon, Paco Garrigues, Kai Narezo, Chuscales, Jose Luis

Rodriguez, and Domingo Rubichi. Randy's musical style is a blend of traditional Jerez style flamenco with some contemporary influences.

As a freelance flamenco guitarist Randy performs and collaborates with other professional flamenco artists and dance companies throughout Texas, Colorado and Mexico. Randy has been featured on a national television commercial and many local television and radio broadcasts

including San Antonio's WOAI Morning Show, Musica Suave 90.3 in Corpus Christi, the Sonny Melendrez Morning Show, and San Antonio's Fox 29 News. For the past two years Randy has collaborated with The Flamenco Poets Society of Houston for their signature "Fiesta Flamenca" productions and a special presentation of "The Story of Three Women" Poetry and Music. Randy's work with the Flamenco Poets Society has received recognition and support from many organizations including Poets and Writers, Inc.

Randy works closely with Flamenco Cantaor and guitarist Paco Garrigues. Their duo, "Garrobo y Garrigues" strives to offer Texas a new perspective on flamenco. The classic pairing of cante gitano accompanied by guitar is a unique art form central to flamenco that Randy and Paco have been performing for years. Randy is also founder of the San Antonio based flamenco group, Suspiro Flamenco, which features frequent guest flamenco artists in their performances. As an instructor, Randy teaches the basics of flamenco guitar to students of all levels. Using patience and dedication, Randy believes in passing down his skills to the next generation by emphasizing the traditional techniques of flamenco while exploring more modern influences.

Genevieve Obregón

DANCER

Genevieve Obregón was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas where she began dancing ballet folklorico and flamenco as a child with Danza Hispana Infantil. She was later accepted into San Antonio’s Fandango Dance Troupe and began performing in ensemble stage productions.

During college she took a hiatus from ‪flamenco and joined the Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Georgetown University. Upon graduation, in the nation’s Capitol, she joined the Maru Montero Dance Company and later moved to Dubai with Laura Ortiz and los Quetzales to bring Mexican dance and music to the UAE’s Global Village.

She returned to Flamenco in 2010 studying with Chiqui Linares in San Antonio and traveling to Madrid to take classes with La Truco at Amor de Dios. In 2015, upon moving to Austin, she began taking classes more intensely and has studied with talents such as: Defne Enc, Genoveva Guinn, and Illeana Gomez. She has taken workshops with famed artists: Isaac Tovar, Maise Marquez, Águeda Saavedra, Maria Moreno, Lucia Campillo, Jose Maya, Gema Moneo, Cristina Aguilera, la Popi, and Adrian Santana.

In 2018, Genevieve participated in the Flamenco Certamen USA where she received a week of mentorship from artists at New York’s Flamenco Vivo. She earned honorable mention in the Tablao division.

Genevieve considers herself a humble, life-long learner and lover of ‪flamenco; she has recently returned from her residency at the International ‪Flamenco Festival this summer in Albuquerque for her third year.

Gopal Slavonic

GUITARIST

Gopal Slavonic trained at the prestigious 'Fundacion de Arte Flamenco Cristina Heeren' in 1999 and 2000 in Sevilla, Spain where he studied intensively with leading flamenco guitarists.

In his 28 years of dedication to flamenco guitar, Gopal Slavonic has returned to Spain to further his studies several times, most frequently to Jerez de la Frontera.

In 2008, Gopal Slavonic released a CD 'Dos Orillas' . Gopal currently lives in Oakland, California regularly performing as an accompanist and soloist and teaching flamenco guitar.

Tamara Adira

DANCER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR of Arte y Pasión

Tamara Adira has been named “one of the most creative visions in the South Texas flamenco scene.” She is founder of Arte y Pasión, a company known for pushing the boundaries of flamenco and Spanish dance and one of the most contemporary Spanish dance companies in the United States.

Tamara Adira was featured in 2021 in Nicole Marie Moore’s exhibition “Valiant Women Then and Now.” She was recognized in December 2020 by SA Monthly Magazine, September 2018 by Eleanora Magazine as “Top 50 Women to Watch in Texas,” and in the July 2018 Issue of San Antonio Woman.

Most recently, Tamara performed with SOLI Chamber Ensemble in the World Premiere of Darian Thomas’ ((HERE)) with Poet Laureate Andrea Vocab Sanderson. Tamara debuted her project Grito de los Árboles, “Scream of the Trees,” her first full-length flamenco film, in response to the pandemic. This project would mark a pivotal change in Tamara's work, marking Tamara’s debut in filmography, with distanced performances presenting the opportunity to create film, and bring together artists from San Antonio, Spain, France, Los Angeles, and New York. Her film was selected by the Montreal Independent Film Festival.

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.”

She studied and shared the stage for ten years with her mentor the great master Teo Morca before he passed. The pandemic has given her the opportunity to study regularly with masters from Spain. She currently studies with Daniel Caballero, Belen Maya, and Jose Cortes. She gives back to her community, having choreographed for City Parks and Recreation’s youth groups Fandango and Alamotion, the Say Si Alas Theater, and the North Independent School District.

A graduate of MIT, her early performances and projects have been featured in Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program through the MIT Media Lab and Center for Advanced Visual Studies. Counterbalancing her studies in traditional flamenco, Adira leverages her experience in experimental and contemporary performance, influenced by her Harvard University residency in a John Cage production.

She just returned from an intensive residency in Sevilla with the world-renowned Belen Maya. Tamara continues to develop her craft in flamenco and experimental performance art with mentors and collaborators on both sides of the Atlantic.