By Myrna Petlicki
Gorgeous costumes, amazing lighting effects, beautiful music, and — most of all — thrilling dancing will fill the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie when Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater presents its annual “Flamenco Passion,” June 16-18. The concert series is part of the company’s 47th American Spanish Dance and Music Festival (June 16-24).
Performances are 7:30 p.m. June 16 and 17, and 3 p.m. June 18.
“We’ve got to get as many people as possible there to enjoy these amazing new artists and world premiere company pieces,” said the always enthusiastic Executive and Associate Artistic Director Jorge Perez.
One of the highlights Perez cited was “Amangue,” a piece that guest artist Isaac Tovar, former soloist of the National Ballet of Spain, is choreographing for the company set to the music of composer and guitarist Curro de Maria.
“It’s going to be the closing of our show,” Perez said. “It means ‘Us.’ It’s about ensemble. It’s about working together.”
In addition to creating that world premiere, Tovar will also dance two solos that he choreographed, “Desde Cai” and “La Vida Breve/The Brief Life.”
Another guest artist, Irene “La Chiqui” Lozano will choreograph and perform two pieces, the world premiere of “Mediterraneo” and “Donde Todo Comienza.” “She is an amazing artist having worked with major companies throughout Hispania,” Perez said. “We’re really excited to have her onboard.”
The program will also include a number of popular works from the company’s repertoire. That includes “Rendicion/Rendition,” a 2013 flamenco contemporary company work by Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz, performed to the music of David Pena Dorantes.
Company Dancer Jonathan Pacheco began his Spanish dance studies in 2013 with Artistic Director Irma Suarez Ruiz, while he attended Northeastern Illinois University, where the company has been in residence since its inception. He joined the company in 2015 and became a company dancer in 2017.
“It is a great pleasure and honor to be part of this company that I believe is a Chicago cultural treasure,” Pacheco said. “The company works in all of the styles of Spanish dance from classical to folklore, contemporary, escuela bolero, flamenco. I’m excited for Chicago audiences to see all that at our festival. Spanish dance is so beautiful and its dancers are so versatile because of all we do. “
For “Flamenco Passion,” Pacheco will be performing in all of the company numbers. “Including the world premiere of ‘Amangue’ by Isaac Tovar,” Pacheco said. “I’m very excited to be performing in our Artistic Director’s piece, which is a beautiful contemporary flamenco number.”
There will be a VIP-Pre-Opening Night Reception following the June 16 performance. Tickets are $65, which includes VIP seating for the performance. Visit northshorecenter.org/ee for details.
The festival will also include 44 dance classes for a variety of levels from beginners to advanced dancers. Classes will include escuela bolero, folklore, and flamenco, as well as flamenco guitar.
Perez said that it is an honor to carry on the traditions of the late Dame Libby Komaiko, who founded Ensemble Español in 1976. “It’s about giving back what she gave to us,” he said.
(Fact Box)
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater presents ‘Flamenco Passion’
When: June 16-18
Where: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Tickets: $25-$55
Information: 847-673-6300; northshorecenter.org
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
