Araceli Garcia was born in Cartagena, Murcia. She started dancing at the age of 7, when she studied classical ballet at her local dance school. Araceli soon progressed to contemporary dance and then to Flamenco. Her fascination with the Flamenco world led her to study at the MargaritaAmanteAcademy with Antonia Ramos and later Cristina Valle. Others dance instructors including Carmela Romero, Pepa Molina, Jesus Fernandez and Maria Moreno. Araceli Garcia is the choreographer and dance teacher for local dance troupe Candela also the Flamenco dance teacher at The Dancehouse Theatre in Manchester. Furthermore, ‘La Cartagenera’ is the dancer of Calaita, a flamenco group formed in mid 2007 also for Chico Pere (voice), Glenn Sharp ‘El Afilao’ (guitar), and Pepe ‘El Leon’ (cajon). In addition to her works, Araceli Garcia includes workshop for adults and children and the recent participation with the theatre production “Blood Wedding” directed by Jen Heyes as Flamenco choreographer.
The next Leeds Pena will take place on Sunday 1st March at the Cardigan Arms in Kirkstall, starting at 8pm. This will be an informal evening with dancers, guitarists and cajon players performing in the upstairs room. Eveyone is invited to come along and encouraged to join in, if they wish. The evening will start at about 8pm and finish at about 11pm. There will be a nominal entrance fee of £3.00.
The Cardigan Arms is on Kirkstall Road in Kirkstall and is easily accessible by bus from the town centre. It is on the main road opposite the Vue Cinema complex and so there is plenty of parking. Location is on the map below
Learn how to play the Cajon, the Flamenco Drum with Manuel, a prodigious percussionist from Spain, the heart of Flamenco.
You will play the most popular flamenco rhythms and learn the drum technique.
‘Knock on Wood‘ have kindly agreed to provide some cajons for this event for those who don’t already have them. There will be a limited supply and these will be available on a first come first served basis. Please let us know in advance if you will need a cajon.
The Workshop will take place between 6.00pm and 7.30pm at the Cardigan Arms, Kirkstall on 1st March, before the pena, and will cost £12.00
Rafael was steeped in the flamenco tradition from an early age and so gained an innate understanding of flamenco rhythms. Rafael studied Music Theory and Clarinet in the school of music at Jerez de la frontera, before deciding to focus full time on the flamenco guitar and percussion.
Rafael has collaborated with a number of important artists; including Juan silva , Leo Power, the famous Pansequito del Puerto and the multitalented instrumental Gamaza & cia. Rafael has collaborated with artists in jazz and bossa nova and has also combined his flamenco roots with the music of Jacques Brel.
Rafael is now based in West Yorkshire and has performed regularly in Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Newcastle and Manchester. Rafael also gives lessons and workshops.
At Angela’s dance studio 200A Low Lane, Horsforth. Leeds
This workshop is aimed for people who have some experience in Flamenco dance
Araceli Garcia was born in Cartagena, Murcia. She started dancing at the age of 7, when she studied classical ballet at her local dance school. Araceli soon progressed to contemporary dance and then to Flamenco. Her fascination with the Flamenco world led her to study at the Margarita Amante Academy with Antonia Ramos and later Cristina Valle. Others dance instructors including Carmela Romero, Pepa Molina, Jesus Fernandez and Maria Moreno. Araceli Garcia is the choreographer and dance teacher for local dance troupe Candela also the Flamenco dance teacher at The Dancehouse Theatre in Manchester. Furthermore, ‘La Cartagenera’ is the dancer of Calaita, a flamenco group formed in mid 2007 also for Chico Pere (voice), Glenn Sharp ‘El Afilao’ (guitar), and Pepe ‘El Leon’ (cajon). In addition to her works, Araceli Garcia includes workshop for adults and children and the recent participation with the theatre production “Blood Wedding” directed by Jen Heyes as Flamenco choreographer.
Here’s a date for your New Year diary - FLAMENCO SEVILLANAS AND CASTANETS WORKSHOP with Venezuelan flamenco artist Carla Soto 10.00am - 1.00pm Saturday 28th February, Hope Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge, W. Yorkshire. £20. Sevillanas is an Andalucian folk dance which includes many flamenco steps and postures. It is danced in pairs, but women never have to dance the man’s steps and it is always performed by lots of dancers together at our penas, so it’s good for getting up and enjoying a dance. Even if you have learned Sevillanas before, this workshop will demonstrate Sevillanas with plenty of stamping and a classic ‘quebrado’ turn that you can use throughout your flamenco dancing. Suitable for all Beginners / Improvers. Also, learn to play the castanets to accompany the Sevillanas. Carla Soto teaches flamenco and Sevillanas in the Leeds area and performs throughout the region and abroad. She has many years of flamenco dancing and teaching experience and this workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn some of her beautiful, Latin-influenced steps.
Please book through Patricia by email.
This autumn promises to be a good one for the flamenco scene in Birmingham. All regular classes restart on the 8th September, we also have a great performance and workshops led by Jesús Fernández at the DanceXchange on the 15 & 16 of November. A great show in a small venue one night only, I advice you to book your tickets pronto to avoid disappointment!!!!
Hope you find the following information interesting:
¨Regular classes –From Monday 8th of September.
New Beginners – Mondays 7.30-8.30, at the Dance Workshop, 132 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham.
Level 1- Wednesdays 6.30-7.30, at the Custard Factory, Digbeth.
Level 2- Wednesdays 7.30-8.30, Custard Factory.
Level 3 – Wednesdays 8.30-9.30, Custard Factory.
All classes are £7 per session, £12 for two sessions in the same evening. If you are not sure which is your level please do not hesitate to contact me preferably by email promoagm@blueyonder.co.uk or on 07971 219904
¨Performance - Jesús Fernández “Pura Emoción”. El sinvivir se va a acabar - Saturday 15th November – 8.00pm at the Patrick Centre.
In this passionate flamenco performance, Jesús expresses the human struggle to overcome the control that emotion has over us. This journey begins with an exploration of the nature of emotion itself: how it feels to be subjected to its high and lows, the often absurd situations we find ourselves in once the emotional impulse disappears, and the emotional traps we lay along the way.
In advance: £10.50 / £7.50 concession
On the day: £12.50 / £9.50 concession
¨Dance and Singing Workshops – 15 & 16 November with Jesús Fernández and Ana García.
We are holding workshops for all levels during the weekend. We will be sending the brochures with all the information in a couple of weeks, in the meantime put it in your diary!!!
Please forward this email to any friends or contacts who may be interested.
Thank you for your support and I look forward to seeing you at the classes and some of the events.
Continuing the Festival tradition of bringing the best in world music to the region each summer, the Royal Hall will be transformed into a summer night in Andalusia as Pepa Molina & Company take to the stage on Sunday 27 July. Presenting an evening of pure flamenco - featuring the traditional styles of Tangos, Bulerias, Alegrias and Soleas - this acclaimed troupe of dancers, singers and musicians present a stunning show that pushes at the traditional boundaries of the art while staying true to its roots.
