Tuesday, June 15th

Manuela Carrasco & Co.

Manuela Carrasco & Co.

June 15th, 8pm

Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley

Click here for Tickets & Information

or call (800) 838-3006

Like a flock of doves above her head, the delicate hands of Manuela Carrasco are enough to make audiences catch their breath and fall silent. Yet this international star, known in her native Spain as the Queen of Gypsy Flamenco Dance, remains strikingly down to earth, honoring the grassroots that sparked her art and maintaining traditions rarely seen on American stages. Known for her great strength, unprecedented energy, and mesmerizing stage presence, the highly acclaimed dance icon has not appeared in the Bay Area since the late 1980s when she toured with the legendary production “Flamenco Puro”.

Direct from Seville, Carrasco and her 10-member company headline the 2010 Bay Area Festival of Flamenco Arts & Traditions with Suspiro Flamenco, also featuring dancers El Torombo and Rafael de Carmen along with singers Enrique El Extremeño and Samara Carrasco.

MANUELA CARRASCO was born in Triana, a neighborhood in Seville, where important chapters of flamencos history were forged in the Gypsy blacksmith shops. When she was only 18 years old she was named Goddess of Flamenco Dance by the Spanish Gypsy congressman and social activist, Juan de Dios Ramirez Heredia. In 1974 she won the prestigious Pastora Imperio National Dance Award in Cordoba and this was the start of many trophies and honors that she would receive during her career, including the International Award for Dance in San Remo, Italy in 1976. In 1986 she toured the US --including a month-long run in San Francisco-- with the legendary show "Flamenco Puro", with La Fernanda de Utrera, El Farruco and El Chocolate, some of the most influential names in flamenco at the time. In 1995 Manuela performed in the film "Flamenco" by Carlos Saura along with guitarist Moraito Chico and singer Jose Merce. She also appears in Saura's film "Sevillanas". The virtuosity and depth of her artistry have been recognized at the highest level of Spanish society. In 2007 she was honored by Spain's Ministry of Culture with the Premio Nacional de Danza and in 2008 she received the Medal of Andalucia.

EL TOROMBO is an important representative of traditional flamenco and a purist of Gypsy-style dance, He unites tradition and his own unique understanding of flamenco. Known for his philosophic approach, he views flamenco as a zen-like practice. As a young dancer he performed side by side with Juana Amaya, Belén Maya and with the director Mario Maya in Europe, Asia and America. His honest, authentic and elementary dance style inspires audiences all over the world. Today, he is a much sought-after teacher and performs regularly with other artists such as Farruquito, Manuela Carrasco, La Susi, Tomatito and Potito

June 15th, 8pm, Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley

Tickets are on sale now! 

Click here for Tickets & Information

or call (800) 838-3006

Saturday, June 19th

Manuel Agujetas

Manuel Agujetas

June 19th, 8pm

Julia Morgan Theater, Berkeley. 

Click here for Tickets & Information

or call (800) 838-3006

MANUEL AGUJETAS is one of the last living representatives of his generation of flamenco artists. The son of legendary singer El Viejo Agujetas, he worked in his father's blacksmith forge until he went to Madrid as a teenager to sing in the flamenco nightclubs there. He is the father of singers Dolores Agujetas and Antonio Agujetas. He has recorded over 10 albums and appears in Carlos Saura's critically acclaimed film, Flamenco and in Dominique Abel's prize-winning documentary Agujetas, Cantaor.

MIGUEL EL GITANO DE BRONCE Joining Manuel is another member of the Agujetas clan of Gypsy singers, Miguel el Gitanillo de Bronce. In his youth, he toured with Manolo Caracol. He recorded several LPs in the 70s

& 80s. 

MANUEL VALENCIA (Guitarrist) Direct from Jerez, one of the most promising young accompanists for Gypsy flamenco singing.  They say this young man was born with a guitar under his arm. Seeped in the toque of Manuel Morao, he learned to accompany the cante from his uncle, Fernando Terremoto (hijo). He performed for several years in Morao's company and has toured with Maria de la Mar Moreno. He is currently a member of Gerardo Núñez's group and is working on a solo CD produced by Núñez.

June 19th, 8pm,

Julia Morgan Theater

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. 

Click here for Tickets & Information

or call (800) 838-3006