THE ARTS AND CULTURE = VALUE ADDED SOCIETY - Flamenco … · “The best Flamenco I’ve seen in...

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Flamenco RosarioArti sti c/Executi ve

Director: Rosario Ancer

Musical Director:Victor Kolstee

Newslett er Team:Barbara MacLellan

Onni MilneJennifer Parisi

This e-newslett er will be published three

ti mes per year: January, May and October. Deadline

for submissions from contributors is three

weeks prior to publicati on date.

Copies available at fl amencorosario.org

Flamenco Voice informs members

about local, provincial, and

nati onal fl amenco issues and events,

promotes fl amenco culture and

inspires parti cipati on in the fl amenco arts

scene.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 2011EVENTS LIST

TO BE PUBLISHED SOON

THE ARTS AND CULTURE = VALUE ADDED SOCIETY

As we present issues for the value of the arts to society, we begin the discussion by off ering the defi niti ons we are using to ensure that everyone understands the meaning for the words we are using. “VALUE”: To consider with respect to usefulness or importance; “SOCIETY”: A group of individuals living together as members of a community. So we are discussing the importance of art and culture to the community of Vancouver (and BC and Canada).

It is not the GDP of a nati on that we remember centuries aft er their glory has disappeared but the music, dance or art that survived. Who knows or cares about the last budget of the Medi-cis of the Renaissance. What matt ers is that their wealth and infl uence created a culture that gave us Leonardo Da Vinci, sti ll revered as a genius. The total of the Queen Elizabeth I’s bank account doesn’t matt er. What matt ers is that William Shakespeare created his plays during her reign.

Government bean counters focus heavily on economic fi gures to indicate their eff ecti veness as managers of our society. They haven’t understood or disregard that it is not the GDP which represents the true wealth of a nati on but the creati vity of its citi zens. Tax incenti ves are used to lure corporati ons to a city or area. While that may be a factor in why corporati ons take the fi rst step to sett le in a city or area, it is the quality of life which keeps them there. Included in quality of life aspects are arts and cultural events available on a daily, weekly or monthly basis - the life blood of our society connecti ng us to past masterpieces or showing us the future with creati ons by up and coming arti sts.

We are bombarded with amounts that the resource and auto sectors contribute to our econo-my. There is silence on the considerable contributi on to the economy by the arts and culture community, Other ways that this community off ers value are: (1) Arti sts move into run down areas and make them vibrant and desirable places to live. Aft er the area becomes gentrifi ed and fashionable with high rents, arti sts are squeezed out to other low cost areas. In this way, they are the vanguard of community development; and (2) When community leaders off er public events, one of the fi rst things they look for are arts and cultural groups to entertain the crowd. They know this will att ract a crowd that might not otherwise be inclined to come.

Imagine for a moment a life without the Vancou-ver Art Gallery, concerts at the Orpheum Theatre, plays at the Firehall Theatre, the Vancouver In-ternati onal Film Festi val, dance performances at the Scoti a Dance Centre or whatever event that excites your passion. Is that a life you consider fulfi lling? We thank the citi zens who volunteer to make these events happen, year aft er year. We thank the citi zens who parti cipate as audiences, year aft er year. A life lived with arts and culture is a life worth living.

Volume 2, Issue 3: Summer 2011

CONTENTS:Events report Pg. �Nanako Aramaki in Seville Pg. �Vancouver fl amenco retrospecti ve: Victor Kolstee Pg. 6

Flamenco Voice - La Voz del Flamenco Newslett er

“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organizati on.”Comments welcome: info@fl amencorosario.org

2

NOTICIAS (WHAT’S HAPPENING)

June � - In the House Festi val, East Vancouver - Flamenco Rosario is parti cipati ng as part of the “Worlds of Dance” secti on in this unique festi val of the arts held in homes in the Commercial Avenue area of Vancouver.

June 11-12 - Art of Flamenco Symposium, Toronto -Rosario has been invited to be a presenter at this event in Toronto organized by Esmerelda Enriquez. Rosario will be joined by presenters from Toronto, Montreal and Spain.

July 11-16 - Arti st in Residence Program, Centro Flamenco - This annual educati onal opportunity is generously funded by the Simons Foundati on. Instead of having one arti st for two or three weeks, we are welcoming three wonderful arti sts from Spain for fi ve days. Pilar Ogalla, Fernando Galan and Andres Pena (who was here last year and gave some excellent and challenging sessions on dancing with the cante) will be sharing their insights and knowledge with us. Please contact Chloe to register for any of the Arti st in Residence sessions. Phone 604-737-1273 or email classes@centrofl amenco.com .

August - All Over the Map, Granville Island - Flamenco Rosario will be performing once again in this series of world dance presented by New Works. Performances take place on Sundays at 2:00pm in Ron Basford Park and are free of charge. Exact dates will be listed on the Flamenco Rosario website and on our Facebook page as soon as they are known.

September 26-October 2 - Vancouver Internati onal Flamenco Festi val, Vancouver - This year’s Flamenco Festi val will be bigger and bett er with local perform-ers joined by others from across Canada and Spain. Running concurrently with the Festi val, there will be a conference on fl amenco and dance arts for fl amenco and other dance arti sts from across the country. Check the website and our Facebook for emerging details.

DVD ARCHIVE AND DATABASE PROJECT

The Flamenco Rosario/Centro Flamenco DVD Archive and Database Project has now been completed. Documentati on recorded on VHS format was deteriorati ng as these tapes aged and there was no index of the recorded material. To resolve the fi rst issue, Chloe Ernst, Offi ce Manager, began transferring VHS format to DVD format in December 2009. In January 2010, Onni Milne began to view the DVDS. To resolve the second issue, Onni registered each DVD on the database created to identi fy the item. She also labeled each DVD and selected performance segments for Chloe to send to the YouTube and Facebook websites.

The database divided DVDS into the following secti ons: Flamenco Rosario Performances, Centro Flamenco Workshops, Centro Flamenco Student Performances, Flamenco Miscellaneous and Culture and Flamenco Rosario Media Clips. Informati on from 1989 to the present can be accessed easily now. The range of diversity in themes, costumes and choreography shows the commitment of Rosario Ancer and Victor Kolstee to off er fl amenco excellence to Vancouver and BC audiences.

Flamenco Voice - La Voz del Flamenco Newsletter

�“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organization.”Comments welcome: [email protected]

EVENTS REPORT

Gala 2011Flamenco Rosario held its third annual Gala Dinner on April 2. The Aberthau Hall in West Point Grey is a won-derful historic building with ample room for eating, so-cializing, our silent auction and a dance performance. The themes this year were a celebration of Rosario’s Mexican heritage and the Flamenco Rosario tour to Mexico in the fall of 2010 as well as milestone birth-days for both Rosario and Victor. As always, the event was well attended. Guests enjoyed authentic Mexican food provided by our caterers, Dona Cata Restaurant, and a spirited flamenco performance by Flamenco Ro-sario dancers ably supported by guitarist and Musical Director, Victor Kolstee. Rosario and Board President, Barbara MacLellan, managed the cante – it’s becoming a tradition!

During the evening, the organization recognized and thanked Janet Buckle, former Board Treasurer. For the past few years, she was the Administrative Assistant to Rosario. Janet has been a vital member of the organi-zation and will continue to be involved although step-ping down from her position. This year’s silent auction was bigger and better than ever. We introduced a live auction portion with Board members Ian Metherell and Nelson Kennedy as auctioneers, adding to the fun and excitement. Our thanks to MC, Board member Hilda Fernández, and to all our wonderful volunteers. Planning for next year’s Gala has already begun.

St. James HallTaking advantage of the fact that singer Angelita was traveling from Spain to join us at the Maple Ridge ACT Theatre on April 30th, we decided to share her talents with Vancouver flamenco aficionados. Many remember her powerful singing in the past Mis Hermanas production.

We organized a Cuadro Flamenco (tablao style) performance at the St. James Hall on April 29. The energy that Angelita brings to the stage is so electrifying and contagious that, for the artists who shared the stage with her, it was impossible to sit still during the performance. We will be back at the St. James Hall … stay tuned!

Here are comments from audience members:

“Angelita was an excellent singer. She and the dancers made me feel like in a real tablao in Spain”. Milagros

“St. James Hall was a great new venue – terrific sound, good seating and a wonderful atmosphere so everybody could talk and mingle and enjoy the show to the fullest!” Michelle

“The venue was an excellent place in many instances: sound, beautiful interior decor and ambiance. Angelita’s and dancers’ improvised performances were the most exciting and invigorating parts to me. We could feel that they were enjoying their time and it was a great feeling”. Yuri

“The best Flamenco I’ve seen in Vancouver! Real ‘Andaluza’ atmosphere! Amazing dancers, fantastic guitarist and singer were able to recreate a small tablao flamenco digno de Sevilla (Seville will be proud)”. Eva

ACT Theatre, Maple RidgeWe were invited to perform on April 30 in the Dance Studio Series at the ACT Theatre in Maple Ridge. With this new Series, the newly appointed Theatre Director, a dance lover, wanted to introduce Maple Ridge audiences to dance presentations. We heard that the series was embraced by the community. Nothing prepared her for our sold out performance four months before the date and before all marketing went out. We were in Spain when we heard the news. They wanted to change the performance from the studio to the big theatre but this was not possible at the time. They then asked us if we would do a second performance the same day. We agreed and this also sold out quickly. We performed to an enthusiastic audience who gave us a standing ovation.

The ACT Theatre has invited us to perform in the big Theatre in the spring of 2012. We hope they will be part of our planned Mis Hermanas Western tour. One way or another, the Maple Ridge dance community will be experiencing Flamenco Rosario at our best. We love you Maple Ridge.

Victor Kolstee, Music Director Rosario Ancer, Artistic Director


“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organization.”Comments welcome: [email protected]

�

NANAKO ARAMAKI IN SEVILLE

Flamencos in Seville performed a benefit concert to support Japanese earthquake and tsunami aid efforts. Nanako Aramaki was one of the dancers at this concert.

Images source: El Correo de Andalucia. March 29, 2011. Page 36.

THE WAY AHEAD

Under the guidance of Mirna Zagar, Executive Director of the Scotiabank Dance Centre, the Flamenco Rosario Board met twice during the summer of 2010. Our goal was to create a new strategic plan for the Society to guide its development over the next three years.

Many things have changed since 2004 when an organizational assessment was done by the Board. This assessment had served for strategic planning purposes since then. Many of the recommendations of the assessment and the goals put in place as a result have been achieved.

The organization has grown a great deal in the last six years and taken on new challenges. At the same time, the funding climate for arts organizations has become more difficult. A new look at the way ahead for the organization was needed. The final report on the strategic planning

session was presented in the fall but it wasn’t until the end of May that the Board was able to devote an afternoon to discussions and plans for implementation of the recommendations.

At the May 28th session, newly elected President, Ian Metherell, lead the Board through a process that revamped and improved the committee structure. Committees are Finance, Fundraising, Development, Communications and Volunteers. Committees will be expanded to engage supporters who are not Board members. Work is beginning immediately to prepare for the Flamenco Festival in the fall, next year’s Gala and other projects.

Anyone interested in joining one of the committees or volunteering in any capacity is most welcome. Please call the office at Centro (604-737-1273) to leave your name and contact information. Our thanks to Mirna Zagar for her help in facilitating this important planning process.


�“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organization.”Comments welcome: [email protected]

AGM: MAY 1, 2011

President Barbara MacLellan thanked Janet Buckle, former Financial Administrator, for her work over the past four years. Barbara introduced the new Business Manager, Jason Queck. Barbara thanked the Board of Directors for their commitment and participation over the past year. All reports were approved as presented. Members approved that Barbara remain on the board for one more year to mentor Ian Metherell who agreed to take on President duties next year. Barbara thanked Noriko Aramaki and Keiko McArthur for their participation as retiring Board members. The AGM included the youngest member, as per family membership (Barbara’s granddaughter).

The Board of Directors for 2011-2012 is: Barbara MacLellan, Ian Metherall, Yvonne Kolstee, Allyson De Jong, Hilda Fernández, Sascha Westendorp and Nelson Kennedy (continuing), Javier Barajas and Marilyn Bild (new).

AGM in progress. Photo: Onni Milne.

(Back row): Javier Barajas, Victor Kolstee, Ian Metherall, Barbara MacLellan, Allyson De Jong, Marilyn Bild, Yvonne Kolstee, Nelson Kennedy. (Front row): Rosario Ancer, Nanako Aramaki. Directors not present: Hilda Fernández, Sascha Westendorp, Keiko McArthur. Photo: Onni Milne.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT FLAMENCO ROSARIO

Become a Member: By becoming a member of the Flamenco Rosario Arts Society, you support Flamenco Rosario and help bring outstanding fla-menco shows to the stage with local, national and international stars. You receive discounts on work-shops and concerts with your membership and have access to members only events and services. Download a membership form from flamencoro-sario.org or pick one up at Centro Flamenco.

Become a Donor: We accept all funding donations or services donations with thanks. To donate, visit the Flamenco Rosario website, scroll down to the “Donate Now” button, click on button and follow the steps.

For more information, call 604-737-1273.


“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organizati on.”Comments welcome: info@fl amencorosario.org

6

VANCOUVER FLAMENCO RETROSPECTIVE: VICTOR KOLSTEE

“The fi rst ti me I ever heard fl amenco was probably around 1962 at my friend Peter Baronas’ house. It was a Carlos Montoya record and I knew immediately that, if I was ever going to play the guitar, I wanted it to sound like that. José Greco, José Molina, Carlos Montoya, Paco Peña, Mario Escudero and el Ballet Nacional de España were some of the acts that visited Vancouver in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Ciro and his company came to Victoria – not Vancouver – and I’m glad I took the ferry because it was the best show I’ve ever seen. Back then, Seatt le also had a prett y good fl amenco scene due in part to the Seatt le World’s Fair in 1962 – a fl amenco show was part of the Spanish pavilion.

At that ti me, the only Spanish restaurant in town was Papi’s La Barraca on Main Street close to Broadway where all of the afi cionados hung out: Harry and David Owen, Angel Juarez, John Fairburn, José Lara and José Rivas from the Chateau Madrid. Even Paco de Lucia ended up there aft er his fi rst Vancouver appearance. Harry and David Owen, Tim Clark, Joyce North, and Huguett e Lacourse and Angel Juarez started performing at Gassy Jack’s in Gastown while José and I performed in Ladner at the Marbella Restaurant and at Las Tapas downtown on Cambie Street. My best gig, however, was playing solo guitar at El Parador on West 4th Avenue, now Las Margaritas. My solo repertoire was only about ten minutes long when I started the gig, but as I learned from Angel, I just reversed the order aft er ten minutes to extend my set!

I thought I was doing quite well as a guitarist and was pleased with my progress unti l I got a call from Téo Morca in Bellingham. Gary Hayes (a local fl amenco guitarist) was in Spain and Téo was looking around for another guitarist he could work with while Gary was away. “No problem,” I thought, “I’ll go down and show him my stuff !” Téo started to do some bulerias and I played some of my fancy-ass falsett as. Téo did a llamada and I played another falsett a. Téo did another llamada – a bit louder and more obvious – and I played another falsett a. Téo was very gracious but he fi nally had to tell me that dancers have ways

of communicati ng with the guitarist. His llamadas were answered by busy signals at my end. Even though I had played for dancers before, it was not the same as playing for Téo. He worked the compas and the guitarist had to work it with him. This was the biggest eye-opener in all my years in fl amenco. How embarrassing! I left his studio with my proverbial tail between my legs, determined to go to Spain to learn how to play for dancers. In the fall of 1979, aft er working with Angel Monzon and José Lara at the newly opened La Bodega for a couple of months, I packed my bags for Spain.”

Source: Excerpts from: htt p://www.victorkolstee.com/2010/09/15/my-early-years/

This is the fi rst part of a new series. The complete arti cle is called “Vancouver Flamenco Retrospecti ve, 1950-1989”. It will include Kay Armstrong, archival documents, comments from a fl amenco student of the early days, Huguett e Lacourse, Angel Monzon and Oscar Nieto.

If you know someone else or something else we need to include, please contact the offi ce at info@fl amencorosario.org to share their name and fl amenco details.

There will be a link to the complete arti cle on the home page of the Flamenco Rosario website once all secti ons have been produced in the newslett er.

TASTY TREATS RECOMMENDATIONS: Las Margaritas: 1999 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, (60�) 7��-7117.

Open Mon-Thu, Sun 11:30am-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm.

Under new ownership since 1994, the restaurant att racts faithful diners with its canti na style look and menu. The 60-seat pati o has been voted one of the best in Vancouver. Las Margaritas was voted #1 Best Mexican by readers in the Georgia Straight’s Golden Plate Awards 2010.

Las Margaritas: 1999 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, (60�) 7��-7117.


7“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organizati on.”Comments welcome: info@fl amencorosario.org

WEST COAST MEMORABILIA

SPANISH CLASSES

This is the fi rst secti on of a new series which compares teachers and schools in Seville and Jerez. It was created and edited by Claire Thomas. We thank her for sharing this valuable informati on with the fl amenco community. Is there someone you know who has been missed and would like to add to the list? If so, please contact the offi ce (info@fl amencorosario.org) with the details. The complete arti cle plus photos will be posted on the Flamenco Rosariowebsite.

Rosario encourages her students and company dancers to visit Spain to see and study fl amenco whenever they can. Below are comments from several fl amenco students on some of the teachers whose classes or private lessons they have att ended. Neither Rosario nor Flamenco Voice necessarily recommends any of these teachers.

Juana Amaya - Footwork orientated. Usually no singer in class. Great technique and lots of choreography. Doesn’t explain the structure of the dance very well. Very echoey studio. Levels of intermediate and advanced. Expensive but a fantasti c old fashioned teacher. Classes in the early aft ernoon. By Deborah Dawson

Juan de los Reyes - Footwork technique class fast paced, great compas. You’ll improve your footwork in his class within two weeks. No choreography. By Deborah Dawson

Pilar Ogalla and Andres Pena - Pilar Ogalla is a fantasti c female dancer in the newer style. Lots of upper body. Classes are very full at the Manuel Betanzos studio. Great bulerias class where she explains well in Spanish. She sings and there is a guitarist at least every other day. Andres Pena has a great bulerias class at the Manuel Betanzos studio. He sings in class and a guitarist there at least every other day. Very full classes. Fast paced choreography classes. www.andrespena.com By Deborah Dawson

He is great for understanding the cante. Despite the fact that he’s a male dancer, he is very good at instructi ng female students on how to dance with grace and femininity. By Nanako Aramaki

He uses interesti ng rhythms in his teaching with the additi on of singing accompaniment. By Claire Thomas

Poster capti on: Seatt le, 1986. Courtesy of

Victor Kolstee.


“Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the Board, nor the Organization.”Comments welcome: [email protected]

�

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

Through their Centro Flamenco scholarship program, Rosario Ancer and Victor Kolstee mentored many stu-dents who wanted to become professional flamenco dancers. Understanding the importance of this pro-gram and its benefits, the Rosario Ancer Flamenco Arts Society took it over in 2006. That is how the Flamenco Rosario “Professional Training Program” was born with the ongoing support of Centro Flamenco and the im-mediate interest and support of The Simons Founda-tion.

Offering a diploma and examinations, with training by local and internationally renowned teachers, graduates leave the program with excellent technique, elegance and creativity. Many have gone on to have successful professional careers.

One example is Deborah Dawson. After a year honing her skills in Spain, she is now performing and touring in France, ready to set up her own school. Others have joined the Flamenco Rosario Company or other local groups.

Selected by audition only, the program builds on an intermediate level of flamenco expertise. The student signs a commitment to train a minimum of twelve hours per week in a disciplined and professional environment, with access to the best local and interna-tional flamenco training.

As we pour our hearts into the program, we get the same response from the students. We are proud of their commitment and accomplishments.

“Flamenco dance involves a technique and discipline no less than what is required from a ballet dancer, the understanding of rhythms and the song form as much as any musician does and it has the freedom that can be found in modern/contemporary dance.” Rosario Ancer.

Please contact us to learn how to apply for the 2012-2013 season.

Maple Grove: Alice Gerbrecht (PTP graduate), Zehra Pirani LeRoy (PTP), Nancy Miki. Maple Grove School, Kerrisdale. April 9, 2010. Photo: Courtesy of Sophia Hague.

Chinese New Years Olympics: Katia Flores (PTP), Nancy Miki, Sascha Westendorp, Victor Kolstee, Meghan Asher (PTP graduate), Simone Leung (PTP), Carmina Carretero (PTP). International Village, Tinseltown. February 2010.

THE ARTS AND CULTURE = VALUE ADDED SOCIETY - Flamenco … · “The best Flamenco I’ve seen in...

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