Sound Culture & Flamenco Arts Center Present: AMFlamenco Company's La Inspiración Gitana

Flamenco, an art form declared by the UNESCO in 2010 as an ¨Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was born in the 18th century in Andalucia, southern Spain, as a form of expression reserved to celebrate the most intense moments in life.

AMFlamenco Company will present the Chicago premiere of their new work LA INSPIRACIÓN GITANA, which uses the passionate world of the gypsy dances to lead spectators in an experience and mixture of sensations, rhythms, and movements that define the art form. Moving through the different palos (rhythmic patterns: Fandangos, Siguiriyas, Soleá por Bulerías, Taranto…) audiences discover the intensity of the passion felt by the Gypsy people through time.

With the participation of the artists who form part of a new generation of Flamenco, from Spain and the United States, AMFlamenco literally “stamps” their mark on the national and international artistic panorama, a perfect union of heart and soul, music and dance in all its varied and fluctuating aspects.

Dance: Adriana Maresma Fois ¨La Nani¨ + José Moro

Guitar: Juan Antonio Gómez

Singer: Vicente Griego

Special Guest in the performance is local flamenco performer (singer/dancer) CHIARA MANGIANMELI

A native Italian, Chiara Mangiameli studied flamenco dance and singing in Seville Spain with, among others, Juan Polvillo, La Choni, Carmen Gamero and singer Esperanza Fernandez. Other dancers that have shaped her aesthetic are Paloma Gomez, former dancer of the Ballet Nacional de España whom Chiara continues to train with. Chiara is the co-founder of the music trio Idilio, with which she released her debut album, as well as the Chiara Mangiameli Ensemble. In addition, she has collaborated with some of Chicago's most critically acclaimed groups including Las Guitarras De España and The Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater.

Her educational work includes hundreds of appearances varying from elementary school to universities with organizations such as EISMA (Evanston In School Music Association) and Fulcrum Point.

A graduate of The Theater School at De Paul University, Ms. Mangiameli recently returned to the stage after a decade's absence as celebrity chef Rick Bayless' leading lady in the ground breaking "Cascabel" at the Lookingglass Theater.

In May of 2012 she produced, choreographed and directed "A Través Del Espejo," at the Vittum Theater featuring over thirty of her student dancers.

ADRIANA MARESMA FOIS (Dance)

Adriana’s unique fire and elegance are what have marked her style and personality as a world-class flamenco dancer. Her impassioned performances and choreographies have conquered stages throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe including New York City’s Metropolitan Opera, Lisboa Gran Casino, Vancouver’s Flamenco Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, Andalucia Directo Television (Spain), Milan’s Teatro Litta (Italy), and Zurich Teatrehaus.

She has been a soloist for the company Flamencos En-route, based in Switzerland, for the last eight years, and has co-founded her own company, El Amor Brujo, based in Italy. Adriana’s vast professional experience has given her the opportunity to work with celebrated artists and companies including María Benítez, Joaquín Ruíz, Plácido Domingo, Carmen Linares, José Greco, Angel Muñoz, The Boston Pops, Enrique El Extremeño, Antonio “ El Pipa”, and more.

As choreographer, Adriana’s piece, “ La Puerta de Mi Sangre” claimed First Prize and Best Stylization in the International Dance Festival in Bento, Brazil.

Adriana, a native of Albuquerque, began her flamenco studies in Granada, Spain and later received her Bachelors Degree in Photography and Dance from the University of New Mexico. She continued to grow as a professional artist studying in Madrid, Sevilla and Jerez, where she currently lives now over 12 years with her husband guitarist, Juan Antonio Gomez.

“Adriana Maresma Fois, impresses the audience with her beautiful arms moving like a sort of aquatic plant, as well as with her strength and stage presence.”

JOSÉ MORO (Dance)

José Moro was born in Venice in 1981 and has been dancing since the age of six. He began his studies in classical ballet with his mother Iride Sauri, and began performing at “La Fenice” theater in Venice At the age of 14 he began to study the art of flamenco, moving to Jerez de la Frontera, España, where he grew professionally with Chiqui de Jerez and Fernando Belmonte, J. La Torre, Domingo Ortega and the Farruco Family. He has since toured the world as a soloist, performing in Venezuela, Israel, Italy, Miami, and Japan, dancing with the Ballet Flamenco de Madrid, Miguel Ángel Espino Company, and the José Greco Company. In 2008 he founded Compañía Flamenco de José Moro, and he has been touring a guest artist with AMFlamenco for 2012. His performances are notable for their rare combination of both sensitivity and explosive footwork, and his original choreographies have been awarded prizes at festivals in 2008, 2009, and 2011. This is his first time performing and teaching in Chicago.

JUAN ANTONIO GÓMEZ (Guitar)

Juan Antonio was born in Cadiz, Spain, in one of the oldest flamenco barrios, neighborhoods, of southern Spain. He began studying the flamenco guitar at nine years of age, and performed in his first international tour at age eleven with the group, Gaditano Raiz, in France.

Juan has played for some of Spain’s more recognized cantaores, singers, such as Enrique El Extremeño, Segundo Falcon, Mariana Cornejo, Capullo de Jerez, and Enrique Morente, among others.

Juan has been participated numerous times in the renowned Festival de Jerez, known for being the “cuna” or cradle of flamenco in Spain. He has performed with artists such as Joaquin Grilo, Maria Jose Franco, Javier Baron, Antonio El Pipa and Montse Cortes.

From 2001-present, Juan has been first guitarist and composer for the company, Flamencos En-route, based in Switzerland, performing in theatres throughout Europe.

VICENTE GRIEGO (Flamenco Cante)

Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” from Dixon/Embudo, New Mexico has devoted his life to the study of cante flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. Vicente remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales and continues to accompany internationally renowned companies including Yjastros, Juan Siddi Flamenco Company, Flamenco Aparicio, Carola Zertuche's Teatro Flamenco, Martinez' Pueblo Viejo, Fanny Ara, Jesus Montoya y Pureza Flamenca and Encuentro, to name a few.