Upcoming Events:
Kari Alba and ALMA FLAMENCA present...
FALL/WINTER FLAMENCO CLASSES (poster)
New Students Discount — — 2 for 1 for the 1st month of classes
New Sessions Starting : Monday October 6th, 2008
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION and DEADLINE TO REGISTER:
Wednesday September 24, 2008 6:00pm - 9:00pm
at the ALMA FLAMENCA STUDIO (YMCA upstairs)
Classes are limited to maximum 10 students on a first come first serve...
...register early to avoid disapointment...
Certified and Trained in Spain Instructors
All levels - All ages
Alma Flamenca (Flamenco Soul) would like to invite all NEW students and PREVIOUS students to join them in another fantastica year of learning the fundamentals of one of the most beautiful and complex arts of Southern Spain - FLAMENCO. Artistic director Kari Alba has been living breathing, teaching and performing Flamenco Dance in Sevilla, Spain, Canada, USA and Czech Republic for over 17 years. Established in 1998 by Kari Alba, Alma Flamenca provides traditional and contemporary training which follows the careful and structured format of the Flamenco compositions, choreography and improvisation adapted from Sevilla-style technique (based on training from Curso Superior - Centro Autorizado de Danza de Matilde Coral, Sevilla '98 and Curso de Enseñanza Avanzada, Fundación Cristina Heeren, Sevilla '98).
Professionals and enthusiasts alike will benefit from the many facets this art form has to offer which includes dance, guitar and cante (voice), workshops, galas and social events. Alma Flamenca is dedicated to developing and sharing knowledge and love of the art of flamenco and we are devoted to increasing the opportunities in Western Canada for new and upcoming flamenco artists. Please send your contact information to receive future mailings regarding classes, performances, workshops and other social activities to Alma Flamenca Telephone: 306.651.ALMA (2562), E-mail: alba_flamenco@hotmail.com , Website: www.albaflamenco.com , Snail Mail: 1212 Ave J South; Saskatoon; S7M 2C4
Information for semi-professional dancers, professional dancers, absolute beginner dancers, classes for both men and women, kids classes, percussionists, singers (workshop basis) and guitarists (workshop basis).
Alma Flamenca Studio (YMCA of Saskatoon)
25 Twenty-second Street East (next to TCU place), Saskatoon
September 24, 2008 Registration and Information Day
To Download Registration Form: www.albaflamenco.com
First Day of All Flamenco Classes
Monday October 6th, 2008
Classes (with CD and LIVE Guitar) are run on both choreography (taught from October - June) and New Technique classes start every month (start anytime!)
REGISTRATION
The classes are filling up very quickly. Students should register as soon as possible, discount available to all students who register on or before September 24th. All new students should come to our IN-PERSON REGISTRATION DAY at the YMCA on September 24th, 2008 from 6:00pm to 9:30pm.
FORM
Registration and Waiver Form 1
Registration and Waiver Form 2
Previous Events :
Kari Alba and ALMA FLAMENCA present...
their new production of the annual FLAMENCO EXPO 2008 - Gala and Wine & Cheese
Saturday, June 21st, at 7:00PM
Advance Ticket prices: Adults $28 & Students $25; Tickets Sold at the Door: $30
Tickets & Information available at: 306.651.2562 / alba_flamenco@hotmail.com / www.albaflamenco.com / https://www.picatic.com/ticket/flamencoexpo2008 / www.picatic.com / Place Riel Kiosk / Alma Flamenca Studio
...Did we mention the domestic and imported cheese, gourmet sandwiches, etc. (food included with ticket price) that will be served after the show....sounds good with a nice glass of 'cerveza' or 'vino tinto' EH?? Cash bar will be on-site
FLAMENCO EXPO 2008 - PRESS RELEASE
The Saskatoon based organization dedicated to the education, performance and promotion of Flamenco Music and Dance, ALMA FLAMENCA debuts their 2008 choreographic works with captivating artistic expression and stunning elaborate costumes for the annual Flamenco Expo performance... hailed by family, friends and critics of Alma as 'poignant and powerful'.
Flamenco, a complex and dynamic music and dance art form born in the southern region of Spain known as ANDALUCÍA was created by an amalgamation of many different cultures: Gitano (roma or gypsy), Arab, Jewish and Spanish Caucasian. Aficionados, professionals and students of this art are all too familiar with its raw emotion and passion that brings audience to their feet.
Cante or singing for the show is led by Kari Alba (artistic director), Michelle Cousin and making her debut performance direct from Zaragoza, Spain - Diana Alquezar Soro.
Featured guest Flamenco Guitarist from Edmonton, Tosh Hayashi will be making his second Saskatoon appearance - honoring the masters of flamenco's past and present and emitting highly dynamic and innovative melodies which has taken him to the stages of Vancouver with such great artists as 'El Pirouz', Ali Golbabai and Alma de España.
'Elegance, exceptional rhythm and sheer artistic genius' characterize dancer Alice Kirchgesner as she invites audience to accompany her on an unforgettable journey through Andalucía.
ALMA FLAMENCA is dedicated to the preservation of tradition from the gypsy neighborhoods of Andalucía and blending it with a sprinkle of contemporary flair. The performance is an incredible display of improvisation and mastery within the oldest styles of gypsy song and dance and modern day music of today.
The show also includes debut accompaniment and dances by: pianist/violinist Petra Kirchgesner; soloist dancer Colleen Kastning; soloist dancer Rachel Heidecker; soloist dancer Diana Alquezar Soro and the
ALMA FLAMENCA musicians and dancers.
Spain Meets Canada Flamenco Festival 2007 from September 21st to 25th
Flamenco concert: "Cachito de Corazón" & flamenco workshop in dance, guitar and voice
Lose yourself to the entrancing spell of Flamenco, the mystifying and haunting music of the Spanish Gypsies, right here in Saskatchewan with “Cachito de Corazón”, the fifth Spain Meets Canada Flamenco Festival presented by Kari Alba and Alma Flamenca. Experience the electrifying and spellbinding art of Flamenco with featured international artists from Spain, Katerina “La Greca”, El Moro and Jose de le Vega “Niño del Puente”. The gala concert will take place on Friday, September 21 (Broadway Theatre) and workshops in singing, dance, guitar and percussion will be held from the 22nd to the 25th please click here for more details.
Flamenco is not easy to explain. Simply put, it is a blend of music and dance created centuries ago from a fusion of cultural influences, such as Asian, Moorish, Jewish, European, and African, absorbed by the Gypsies of Southern Spain. It is often described by the superlatives “passionate” and “sizzling”, but the true essence of Flamenco is about emotional expression. Authentic Flamenco reflects the raw emotion of living life to the fullest without fear or pretence – tasting the bitterest sorrows and the sweetest joys.
Kari Alba, “La Aceitunita,” the artistic director of Alma Flamenca , has been living and breathing Flamenco for many years, ever since she stumbled upon the Flamenco movie “El Amor Brujo” on television when she was eight years old. She pursued her Flamenco training in Andalucía, the southern region of Spain from which Flamenco emerged. Alba has spent a total of 4 year in Sevilla, the hotbed of Flamenco in Spain, mentoring with some of the best dancers as well as attending the Teachers' Specialization Course at La Fundación; she returns every year to hone her skills with the following most prominent flamencos such as Beatriz Martin, Juana Amaya, Andres Marín, Matilde Coral, Adela Campallo, Pastora Galván, and Mercedes Ruíz. Kari Alba has been consistently recognized as an exceptional Flamenco performer. She has performed internationally and across Canada alongside such notable performers as Manuel Gutierrez, José Cortés, Juan Cortés & Ricardo Diaz of Flamenco Sur (Spain); El Zantito, Zamná Urista-Rojas & José Ramirez (Spain); Sabas (Mexico). Alba's impeccable technique combined with an ability to convey the deep emotion and passion of the dance inspires audiences in Prague, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Regina, Saskatoon and all over Saskatchewan.
In 2000, Alba founded Alma Flamenca , Saskatoon's only dance school dedicated entirely to Flamenco, intended to promote and inspire the art in Saskatoon and Canada. She explains the school's philosophy: “While we emphasize the importance of learning the traditional roots of Flamenco, we also seek to incorporate new and innovative influences, which has been the nature of Flamenco since its beginning.” In 2001, Alba founded the “Spain Meets Canada” Flamenco Festival & Concert, forging a unique link between Spanish and Saskatchewan Flamenco artists. In 2006, Alba took several of her students on the first biannual “Canada Meets Spain” trip, in which students had the opportunity to experience and learn Flamenco in the heart of Seville, Spain.
Spain Meets Canada Posters in PDF format, click here or click here
Spain Meets Canada
Registration Form, click here
For further information, contact :
Kari Alba, Artistic Director, Alma Flamenca
Phone: 306.651.ALMA (2562)
Email: alba_flamenco@hotmail.com
Website: www.albaflamenco.com
Folkfest in Saskatoon
Alma Flamenca has once again been invited to perform in the Hispanic Pavilion at Folkfest in Saskatoon on Summer August 16-18. Hope to see you there.
Alma Flamenca Classes and Schedule:
Spain Meets Canada
Registration Form, click here (TBA)
Alma Flamenca Fall Classes please click here for more details. For registration form 1, please click here, form 2 please click here
Kari Alba and Amantes de Flamenco are available to perform at a variety of events, ranging from a festival set to a full professional production. Alba handpicks her musical accompanists depending on need and availability, working with artists such as Peter Mole of Vancouver and Flamenco Sur of Spain. Alba's accompanists for the Summer of 2006 will include: Daniel Regnier, guitarist; Vesti Hanson, singer; Ali Golbabai, guitarist; and Pirouz Ebadypour, singer.
To book Kari Alba and Amantes de Flamenco , contact Kari Alba at:
Phone: (306) 651- ALMA (2562)
Email: alba_flamenco@hotmail.com