Welcome to Flamenco in the Sun 2009.

Now in its seventh year, Flamenco in the Sun 2009 brings audiences a variety of events and classes that are sure to delight. The Festival will in Miami with Siempre Flamenco. It will then move to Fort Lauderdale where Riverwalk A & E and the Centro Cultural Español will join Bailes Ferrer in our Kick-Off Event at the Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale, which will include a showing of “El turista soy yo” (I am the tourist), a musical journey through the life of the gypsy singer Luis Agujeta. The documentary, courtesy of Centro Cultural Español, explores the deep song as tradition, and the changes of flamenco in the new millennium. In addition the evening will feature a few surprises, so be sure not to miss it.

Our Opening Gala is a special one indeed this year, as it will bring together on the same stage to recognized Flamenco masters From New York to Seville. The concert will feature renowned Flamenco composer and guitarist José Luís Rodríguez and dancer and choreographer Nelida Tirado in a shared night showcasing their most traditional and contemporary works. The performance will take place at the Amaturo Theater in Fort Lauderdale.

And back by popular demand, the Festival will also include two shows of Café Cantante featuring local Flamenco artists at the Parker Playhouse. This year the Festival will also include an exhibit of flamenco photography and vintage flamenco costumes at the historic New River Inn. The showcase will open on July 27 with a special “Meet the Artists” reception on July 30th. The performance series will close with Flamenco 24 Horas, a work by Paola Escobar that tests the ability of this traditional Andalusian art to express contemporary reality.

This year, we continue our ongoing collaboration with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts bringing you a week of exciting master classes by Juan Carlos Lerida (curator of the 2009 Flamenc Empiric Festival in Barcelona), Nelida Tirado, Niurca Márquez and José Luís Rodríguez, along with other guest maestros, as well as our week-long children’s program. As in the past three years, we will continue offering scholarships to worthy students to attend the workshops. More information is available on our registration page.

As always, this program would not be possible without our many sponsors. This year’s program is brought to you, in part, by: Broward Cultural Affairs Council, Southern Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts and Riverwalk A&E. Through their continued commitment to the arts in South Florida and the support of our Fans of Flamenco we are able to bring you Flamenco in the Sun 2009. This year’s program is a testament to our ongoing growth and commitment to bringing contemporary and innovative Flamenco of the highest caliber to the South Florida region.

Join us for an unforgettable year!

Thank you,
Damaris Ferrer & Niurca Márquez
Bailes Ferrer & Flamenco in the Sun