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World renowned flamenco guitar maestro Paco Peña will lead his flamenco dance company for three performances titled "Flamenco sin Fronteras" in May.
"Flamenco sin Fronteras" (flamenco without borders) consists of two main themes. On the one hand it explores the flamenco forms that were born when Spanish performers arrived in South America the early 1900s. On arrival these artists encountered a rich folklore that had been strongly influenced by their own musical traditions - by the Spanish migrants who had arrived before them. This interaction of "new" and "old" Spanish cultures inspired the creation of new additions to the flamenco repertoire in the form of new songs and dances. This group of new styles was called "Cantes de Ida y Vuelta" (songs of departure and return).
The production also seeks to combine the best of flamenco and its environment, illuminating some of the great variety of music that exists in Latin America. It aims to explore the deeper and more complex elements of the musical traditions in that part of the world, looking at the same time to the strong historical connections between Latin America and the Spanish province of Andalucˆqa.
Born in the Andalucian city of Cˆurdoba, Paco Peña began learning guitar from his brother at the age of six and made his first professional appearance at the age of 12. In the late 1960s, he left Spain for London, where his recitals of flamenco music captured the public imagination.
As a guitarist, composer and dramatist, Peña embodies both authenticity and innovation in flamenco. Since 1970, Peña has performed regularly with his own company of dancers, guitarists and singers in a succession of groundbreaking shows. The Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company takes flamenco into the realm of music-theatre with regular seasons in London (at the Royal Festival Hall, Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Barbican) and festival appearances in Edinburgh, Adelaide, Amsterdam, Athens, Israel, Istanbul, Singapore and Hong Kong.
"Flamenco sin Fronteras" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 8pm on May 11 and 12 (Friday and Saturday) at the Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall and at 8pm on May 14 (Monday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets ranging from $100 to $360 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the group booking package.
A workshop (conducted in English) will be held at 10.30am on May 13 (Sunday) at 8/F Backstage, Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Those with flamenco experience are especially welcome to attend. Tickets priced at $150 are available at URBTIX outlets.
For enquiries regarding the programme and the workshop, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/dance/00000391.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone booking on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, March 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:20
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