Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, brings their popular “Flamenco Passion” performances to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19. These performances will cap the company’s 46th multi-faceted American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 8-19).
Ensemble Español is excited to once again be able to feature a robust roster of dance and musical guest artists. Three of the guest artists are joining “Flamenco Passion” for the first time. They include award-winning Flamenco choreographer/performer La Lupi from Malaga Spain, 12-time Grammy winner, Diego “El Negro” Alvarez (percussionist) and Curro de Maria (guitarist and composer). Flamenco fans will have the opportunity to get to know all three up close through the new symposium, "The Black and Brown Roots to Spanish Dance" (June 14-17) before experiencing their art on stage.
The program for the June 17-19 performances engagement will include the world premieres of “El Casorio” (The Wedding) by Ruiz and “Pasos Largos / Long Steps” (Caña Flamenco style) by La Lupi. She will also perform the Chicago premiere of her works “Juanaca” (Flamenco cantiñas style) and “Airoso Fleco” (Taranto style). Also included in the program: the Chicago premiere of “La Resonancia del Alma” (Resonance of the Soul) performed and choreographed by José Moreno. Popular works from Ensemble Español’s repertoire will complete the program and include the dramatic excerpt “Dualia,” by Carlos Rodriguez, from the Ensemble’s “Mar de Fuego,” Flamenco contemporary ballet, classical suite “El Baile de Luis Alonso” by Ruiz and the folkloric suite “Alma de Aragon” by Paco Alonso with guest tenor, Luis Galvez.
Preceding the Friday, June 17 performance there will be a Meet the Artists VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception in the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on the 2nd level, $65. To purchase tickets and for more information visit https://northshorecenter.org/ee/ or call 847.673.6300.
Related American Spanish Dance and Music Festival Special Events
- Duende Flamenco Concert Kick-Off, 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 8, at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. For tickets or more information visit oldtownschool.org/concerts/2022/06-08-2022-wmw-ensemble-espanol/
- Free Symposium: “The Black and Brown Roots to Spanish Dance, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14-June 17 at Northeastern Illinois University, 5500 N. St. Louis, Chicago. To register and for more information, visit EnsembleEspanol.org or email kim@ensembleespanol.org.
- Festival Spanish Dance Classes at Northeastern Illinois University Dance Studios, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Building J, Friday, June 10-Friday, June 17. To register or for more information visit EnsembleEspanol.org.
- Flamenco Guitar and Percussion Classes at Northeastern University Dance Studios, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Building J, Tuesday June 14-Thursday, June 16. To register or for more information visit EnsembleEspanol.org.
