Flamenco returns to Brooklyn Academy of Music

For the second straight year, Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana is coming to BAM with its performance, “Voces De Andalucia.”

The dance company, now in its 32^nd year of existence, has made quite the name for itself in its respective field. Known for being one of the oldest companies of its kind in the country, the production is best known for top notch dancing, music, talent and doing things differently.

Artist and founder of the company Carlota Santana, who has had a passion for the art of flamenco for decades, is excited about her current U.S. tour – which started in the winter of last year – and the work within the production.

“We do traditional flamenco and experimental work. We have artists from Spain and the United States,” said Santana. “This is very experimental work. It’s very flamenco. There are lots of movements. “

In the show, Flamenco Vivo will present both traditional and contemporary flamenco. The suite features three new works: the world premiere PiCa, Susana di Palma’s dance/fiction about Picasso; Federico, a celebration of Lorca’s life, art and his profound connection to flamenco and its peoples; and Música Andaluza an adaption of Lorca verses, in a world premiere instrumental/vocal composition by Gaspar Rodriguez.  The program also includes Angeles II, choreographed and performed by British National Dance Award nominee Ángel Muñoz.

Santana described the beauty of flamenco and the significance of teaching the craft to youngsters. “Being able to perform was the most feminine thing I can think of,” she said. “You wear wonderful costumes, and look beautiful.

“You can be tough, glamorous or sexy and express all these emotions you have inside of you,“ she continued. “That was the driving point to be a Flamenco artist. That’s what I love to do with students. We are in the schools a lot. It’s important [for the] girls to get the same opportunity I had when I was learning, which is to be proud of yourself, no matter what you look like and stand up for yourself.”

In the states, the craft of flamenco has increased and has generated excitement from audiences. “The world has gotten smaller,” she said.  “With the internet, more people are learning about other cultures and they’re coming into the United States. People are learning more about the world. It’s the globalization of cultures.”

Though there are other flamenco productions, Santana views her company to be a unique experience for attendees.

“I think we really do things that are interesting, challenging and I have a group of artists who love what they do,” she said. “We want to give our art form out to the public.”

Audiences attendance, thus far, has been diverse due to the show’s reliability. “I find it fascinating that we don’t get one person or group, though we’re a Spanish dance company,” she said. “I think what is driving about flamenco is it’s so emotionally based and has feeling and expression of those feelings. People can see it and relate to it. We all relate to feelings. That’s why they like flamenco. Audiences of all backgrounds love it.

“Voces de Andalucia” by Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana premeiers on Tuesday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. at BAM Fisher, 321 Ashland Pl and will run through Sunday, May 8. Tickets start at $25. For tickets, visit www.bam.org.