03-31-03
REVIEW OF:
Rojo Flamenco, Friday 28, 2003 at 8 p.m.
at the 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W 78, NYC
DANCERS:
Leilah Broukhim, Florencia Perez Taboada, Mariliana Arvelo
MUSICIANS:
Cristian Puig (guitar/cante)
Pedro Cortes (guitar)
Gonzalo Grau (percussion/cajon/piano)
A refreshingly strong showing by three uniquely talented women. It didn’t hurt that they were backed by the best flamenco performers this side of the Atlantic, each accomplished session musicians in their own right, effortlessly blending traditional with flamenco fusion. This is a phrase which I know is commonly used, but it rings true in this case.
I walked out with Pedro Cortes’ CD Flamenco Soul, which has been previously reviewed by Mari Katsigianis on the Buzz. I recommend to everyone to go out and get this CD and train your ear to hear the distinguished multi-national contributions on this CD, all the while the inevitable voice of Pedro’s guitar speaking in concert with instruments from other nations each expressing its’ version of soul expression. His website is www.canastero.com, and his e-mail is Canastero@aol.com
Cristian Puig, a veritable library of cante and provider of lightning falsettos, brought balance to Pedro’s “jondo” playing, as evidenced during sets in between the dance numbers. Don’t get me started on Gonzalo Grau: he plays piano, cello, percussion, writes, and produces, ad infinitum. Perfect percussion coupled with sampling from his keyboard absolutely completed the phrasing and mood for the night. You may learn more about Gonzalo’s amazing band “La Timba Loca” which is taking off everywhere by visiting www.latimbaloca.com , or by writing to him at gonzograu@hotmail.com
Back to the dancers [sorry, girls]! I was informed by theater personnel that this was the first time that flamenco has been performed at the 78th Street Theater Lab. She expressed concern that the audience would somehow be stifled by all the heat generated by the dancers on stage and I assured her that is part of the experience of watching a live flamenco performance.
The Lab offers an intimate setting with an acoustically perfect floor and high ceiling, with a not too deep “stage” which allows performers to let loose, yet maintain close contact with the audience. To watch Venezuelan Mariliana Arvelo, with a face like an Italian porcelain doll with bow lips to match, is to easily welcome her, only to have her betray your confidence, because as she danced, she slowly and deliberately stoked the fire within her and you couldn’t help but get burned. Like a moth, you are helplessly attracted to her flame.
Argentina's Florencia Perez, on the other hand, brought a deeper grade of intensity to the choreography performed for the night, with her strong arms and clear footwork. I especially liked her serving of bulerias, strong and sassy.
And then there is... Leilah. Even her very name is in compass ¡Un, do!’” [one!, two!]. This woman, my dear readers, is a complete dancer. Her confidence and poderío (mastery) of the compass, her phrasing, the intensity of her footwork, speaks of a secret, ancient language only known within familial circles, rarely shown without lache (gitano modesty) to the public. Her dancing moves shout “Escuchame!”, squatting like a gitana canastera, speaking of sowing and reaping and of birth. There is so much intimacy displayed in her dancing that one is rendered breathless. The intense familiarity and understanding and love I saw Leilah dance with is the kind that is pure, the kind that is heavenly, and just asks you to receive her love for flamenco. Olé tu arte, preciosa. 100% flamenco dancer made in the USA!
Please check their website to learn more and to watch a video of their performances.
www.florpereztaboada.com.ar