Ensemble Español, in residence at Northeastern Illinois University, will host “Flamenco Passion” June 17-19 featuring their popular live dance and music performances to cap the company’s 46th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, which runs June 8-14.
After two years of dealing with challenging COVID-19 protocols, Ensemble Español is once again able to feature a robust roster of dance and musical guest artists. Guest artists joining “Flamenco Passion” for the first time include award-winning Flamenco choreographer and performer La Lupi from Malaga, Spain; Barcelona-born Flamenco performer, choreographer and educator Elisabet Torras Aguilera; 12-time Grammy award-winning percussionist Diego “El Negro” Alvarez; and guitarist and composer Curro de Maria.
Additional Festival events include the Duende Flamenco Concert Kickoff, a new symposium, “The Black and Brown Roots to Spanish Dance,” and a series of Festival Spanish Dance and Music classes. Visit EnsembleEspanol.org for more information.
“It is always a pleasure working with our partners, Northeastern Illinois University, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Old Town School of Folk Music, Clinard Dance Theater and Dovetail Studios,” said Irma Suarez Ruiz, Ensemble Español Artistic Director and Jorge Perez, Executive & Associate Artistic Director. “They provide the environment for our amazing and talented dancers to help us show our work in the best light even through this pandemic helping us stay connected doing what we do best, dance, dance, dance! We look forward to once again meeting our audiences in person on stage and in the lobby after the performances.”
“Flamenco Passion” will take place at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, Illinois, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 19. Tickets are $20-$50. Use discount code NEIU5. A Meet the Artists VIP Pre-Opening Night Reception special event will be held on June 17 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 2nd level, $65. To purchase tickets and for more information visit northshorecenter.org/ee/ or call (847) 673-6300.
