Concha Jareño – Chicago
by Amor Montes de Oca
Canteca de Macao- Chicago
Canteca de Macao Comes to Chicago and Blows me Away!
by Christina Rodriguez for Café Magazine
New Faces of Flamenco
The New Faces of Flamenco
Written by Nicola Sofia Paracchini | 10 February 2010 for Café Media
Canteca de Macao, the self-proclaimed mestizo flamenco band from Madrid, will make their United States debut with a concert in Chicago on Friday as part of the 2010 Flamenco Festival, presented by the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago.
“The idea with the festival is to bring these artists to Chicago and give the community the opportunity to see something they’ve never seen before,” said Teresa Hernando, cultural coordinator at the Instituto Cervantes. “Flamenco is changing.”
Known for fusing reggae, ska, jazz and flamenco styles in their music, Canteca de Macao illustrates the festival’s theme: the blend of contemporary and traditional elements that is helping define flamenco today. “Flamenco is a dynamic culture that is influenced by current trends,” said Amor Montes de Oca, owner of Arte y Vida Chicago, an online calendar of Hispanic art and cultural events in Chicago, one of the main sponsors of the festival. “I’m happy that we are able to showcase what we think of as traditional flamenco, as well as someone more modern, more edgy.” Montes de Oca predicts the concert will be “a big smash” for flamenco followers in Chicago.
Canteca de Macao might be the stand out performance of the week, but according to Montes de Oca, festival goers will be equally appreciative of the work by other artists, who will bring genuine Andalusian elements to their events. “In terms of flamenco in Chicago, the community is loyal, dedicated and knowledgeable on many levels…music, culture and language.”
The festival begins on February 10 with a performance by flamenco guitarist, Juanito Pascual at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The musician, who is from Boston, will work collaboratively with La Conja, a traditional flamenco dancer. The five-dollar suggested admission makes it possible for virtually everyone to attend the show. Accessibility to these events, particularly the Canteca de Macao concert, was a priority for the organizers of the festival. According to Hernando, the majority of funding for these performances comes from the Office of Tourism of Spain.
Before they head to New York to continue their mini tour in the U.S., Canteca de Macao will spend four days in Chicago and give fans the opportunity to practice music with them. “Students can hang out, partake in the music that they make, and learn their techniques,” said Montes de Oca. The workshop is open to anyone, including beginner musicians and fans of flamenco, who will get the opportunity to practice with professionals.
Arte y Vida Chicago, along with the other supporting cultural organizations, wanted to make the community participation in the festival a priority. “We take every opportunity possible to put together a lecture or workshop to incorporate as many audiences as possible and to make it as diverse as possible,” said Montes de Oca. The workshops, will give local artists and the community the opportunity to become familiar with flamenco culture on a more intimate level.
“Every year that we organize this festival, we have many followers…they develop a passion right after they get in contact with flamenco music,” said Hernando.
The festival also hopes to make an impact on those who aren’t as familiar with the art of flamenco and inspire them to join the following. “We want to cultivate the culture here,” said Montes de Oca. “If you go to one of the performances, and you love what you see, you might be inspired to take a class, or go see the artists perform in other places.”
Canteca de Macao – Chicago
By Extra News
Canteca de Macao, one of the leading music groups from Spain performed for the first time in the U.S. at the Green Dolphin, 2200 N. Ashland Ave. on Feb. 12.
The eight-member group, from Madrid, performed a mixture of reggae, ska and flamenco music. Vocalist Ana Saboya sang songs from their new CD Agua Pa’ la Tierra. Their entire album can be downloaded for free at cantecademacao.org.
Singer and dancer Chiara Mangiameli, guitarist Diego Alonso and percussionist Kassandra Kocoshis from Idilio was the opening act and performed traditional and contemporary flamenco music.
The concert was presented by Arte y Vida Chicago and RatioNation in collaboration with the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago.
For a calendar list of Hispanic art and cultural events in Chicago, visit arteyvidachicago.com.
The Nomadic World Series 2009
The Nomadic World Series 2009
The One & Only
Sergent Garcia King of SalsaReggae
performed 7/20
at Logan Square Auditorium
The Grammy Nominated Les Nubians
performed 7/9
at Green Dolphin Street
Curumin performed 7/16 at Rumba
Novalima afterset 7/23 at Sonoteque
Kokolo AfroBeat Orchestra 7/25 at Las Tablas (the best restaurant ever!)
The Clark Street Festival 7/26
Thanks to: E-Hispanics, Ola Chicago, Enchufate, Chi-Remezcla, Ratio Nation, Hot House, Radio M, Agúzate, Rockotitlán, City Vida, The Latino Cultural Center, Q4, World Fusion Chicago, Macondo and our friends and family for your help and support with this project!
& Many Thanks to everyone who attended!
Please, send us your photos or reviews to amor@arteyvidachicago.com
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Photos provided by our friends at Enchufate and City Vida and protected by copyright law.
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