NEW YORK BUZZ - by La Gata...

07/10/03


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ROJO FLAMENCO

July 7, 2003 at The Velvet Lounge, 223 Mulberry Street, New York, NY.

Dancers: Mariliana Arvelo, Florencia Perez Taboada, Omri Dahan
Guitarist: Christian Puig
Cajon/2nd Guitar Sean Kupicz
Singer: David Castellano


The performance followed viewing of “El Turista Soy Yo”, a flamenco documentary by Trina Bardusco & Irene Mogollon. Although previously reviewed by this writer at an earlier date, this film takes on a life of its own as a crash course on flamenco cante/guitar/life-in-general as seen through the eyes of members of the established Heredia & Agujetas Gypsy Clans.

I for one, would like to see future productions by this team. They demonstrate sensitivity and great respect for the art form and for aficionados alike. The audience was fully immersed in the “sentido” [feeling], having arrived at that sentiment via “furgoneta” [gypsy caravan] and receptive to the performance that followed.

The Velvet Lounge is an excellent venue for flamenco and as I later found out, for arts in general, thanks to the efforts of Tanya Richley, coordinator for the Monday Evening Performance Series. Diverse world music artists and stylings have passed this way: Colombian Masters, Drum and Percussion, as well as Middle Eastern musicians/dancers. This performance series is designed for people to come and be exposed to the mosaic that is New York and to foster a sense of community, as well as exposing these artists one to another in hopes of future collaborations. Don’t forget to check their website. Vaya!

Mariliana Arvelo astounded the crowd with her focus, confidence and footwork so precise, every planta with “poderío” [mastery] hitting the mark, every taconeo saying she owned the floor and it was to submit or else. This bailaora knows how to build up momentum in any palo, deliberately determining how much to reveal, releasing, taking back and only flashing power when necessary. I felt every planta in my gut. How many dancers can you say do that to an audience? Mariliana is currently dancing at Suba, 109 Ludlow Street, every other Sunday, filling in for La Conja. For reservations please call 212.982.5714.

Florencia Perez Taboada is coming into her own, ladies and gentlemen. She has phenomenal body, shoulder and head form helpful for female dancers to imitate. Florencia is wild and uncontrolled (as she has every right to be) but as she stops, mid-braceo, her muscle fibers shooting sparks as each finger surreally wound down to catch the next breath, controlling and bringing the phrase to a satisfying completion before she fired off the next round of taconeos, kept the audience at the edge of their seats. Florencia unfortunately will be returning to Argentina and the end of the next performance of Rojo Flamenco. I’m sure she will return.

Watching these women was a master class in itself. You see, I am not just viewing performance for performance’s sake, I am taking mental of notes every turn, braceo, hand gesture, facial expression and foot placement as a study in flamenco line which contributes to my own education as an aficionada and bailaora.

I have saved the best for last. This was my first time watching Omri Dahan, who is himself a mixture of the cultures that made Andalucia over 700 years ago and flamenco what it is today. He began his flamenco career while living and studying in Madrid in 1994, not realizing while planning a whimsical week’s vacation, he would cross paths commencing a lifelong journey of inspiration and soul expression. As surprising to him as it was to his family (he should have been a doctor!) he ended up studying at Madrid’s flamenco academy Amor de Dios with masters such as Ciro, Maria Magdalena, El Guito, and El Pelao. Omri then moved back to San Francisco and joined the original dance corps of Yaelisa’s Caminos Flamencos while still trying to make a living in business. With Yaelisa, Omri danced, toured and often babysat until 1999. Omri has studied and performed with a number of US-based artists, including Jesus Montoya, Antonio de Jerez, La Tania and Jason McGuire.

Omri has the clearest phrasing I have seen by a bailaor in a long time. He is someone that male flamenco students should watch as well. Long arms and strong braceo lent masculine dignity and elegance to his form. His footwork? I noticed how he directed the compas, doubling and tripling the tempo at times in perfect contra-tiempo. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact he would work with the letra, pause for a moment, and effortlessly deliver warp-speed taconeo, turn and give a gentle lift to his brow as if to say, “no fue nada” [piece of cake]. Ole tu arte, nene.

After Omri Dahan’s performance, I inquired as I often do “what inspires you most about this art form?” Safe question, no? He told me that when he dances, he is true self, willing to take the risk to openly expose his heart as he performs. He is a businessman by day, safely donning the trappings of corporate *suitdom*, but at night when he straps on his botas, he is transformed into the traditions of his forefathers.

The VELVET LOUNGE has been at 223 Mulberry Street (between Prince and Spring Streets) for about six years and serves Thai cuisine. You may visit their website at: www.velvetnyc.com

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