Iván Vargas’ explosive energy and ability to convey the deep-rooted quejío, or cry, of the persecuted Roma people in dance has led him to perform and teach from the historic Sacromonte caves of Granada, Spain, to stages around the world. Vargas, a high-profile protagonist of pure flamenco, has also been invited to top international flamenco festivals, such as the Festival de Jerez in his native Spain and the Festival Flamenco Albuquerque.

At a moment when cross-cultural conversations can feel fraught, the Soles of Duende trio—Amanda Castro, Brinda Guha, and Arielle Rosales—showcases the power of embracing our differences.

Much of the Western dance world prizes youth. But some dance traditions, including classical Indian dance, flamenco, and tap, value the gifts of the older dancer. Unlike contemporary dance and ballet, which tend to prioritize skills that erode as we age—extreme flexibility, buoyant jumps—these practices enlist skill sets that develop and deepen over time. And their communities support long performing and teaching careers.

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana will present the world premiere of FRONTERAS at The Joyce

What images come to mind on hearing the word “flamenco”? Feet hammering floor; intense gaze; arched spine; proud, almost arrogant posture; fiery performers? Perhaps all the above, but Black bodies probably don’t figure into the picture. Yet African-descended artists are reaching out and embracing flamenco as their own. “Decolonizing flamenco” is a label used to […]

At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, rising musician Antonio José Martínez Palacios was executed without a trial at just 33 years old. To pay tribute, the Madrid-based Marco Flores Dance Company teamed up with filmmaker Jaime Dezcallar to revisit and reimagine his music through this dance film. To a stirring original score by […]

After spending the pandemic locked down in Seville, Spain, contemporary Flamenco dancer Cristina Hall returned to her hometown of San Francisco and put all the emotions of the past year and a half into a dance film. Directed by Natalie Shirinian and with cinematography by Dylan Bell, “Boundaries” was shot at Saint Joseph’s Art Society, […]

Brinda Guha is a master mixer. With a deep background in kathak and training in other forms of Indian classical dance, including Manipuri, she began seriously training in flamenco during a monthlong workshop in Spain in 2007. Upon returning to New York City, Guha continued studying the form while also expanding her movement vocabulary with […]