AR Flamenco Presents: Tablao Flamenco On The Plaza
($15 | 7pm show) Tablao Flamenco is expanding to this Hotel Congress plaza this month! Join us and experience the rawness and authenticity flamenco has to offer.
Special guest Carlos Menchaca (baile)
Mele Martinez (Palmas/Cante)
Angelina Ramirez (baile)
Misael Barraza Diaz (guitarra)
Olivia Rojas (cante)
Jason Martinez (cajon)
**Carlos Menchaca**
Carlos Menchaca began studying Mexican regional dance, ballet, and flamenco at age 10, primarily with his aunt, accomplished director and dancer, Belinda Menchaca, at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio, Texas. In 2006, Menchaca moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to work with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company and to study at the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts under the mentorship and direction of Joaquin Encinias. Menchaca has studied with innumerable iconic flamenco artists but most recently, his professional engagements have included working with artists such as Pedro Córdoba, Alejandro Granados, Juan Ogalla, Soledad Barrio, Eugenio Iglesias, Emilio Florido, Manuel Gago, Domingo Ortega, Ivan Vargas, and many others. Currently, Menchaca teaches and choreographs for the Conservatory of Flamenco Arts and performs nationally and abroad with Yjastros, Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, Flamenco Aparicio, and La Juerga Flamenco Ensemble, among other companies and collectives throughout the continent.
**Angelina Ramirez**
Angelina Ramirez is a flamenco movement artist and teaching artist living in Tucson, Arizona. Ramirez’s artistic work explores what it means to be a queer, latinx flamenca, practicing in a traditional Roma/gitano form of dance. As a teaching artist, she is interested in the intersections of arts and healing, focusing on work with elders of all abilities and integrated flamenco with autistic individuals. She is devoted to promoting accessibility and eradicating ableism, racism and bigotry by practicing and promoting dialogue, acceptance and community participation. In 2021 Ramirez received the Master-Apprentice Artist Award through Southwest Folklife Alliance for her dedication and commitment to Flamenco arts. She is a National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures fellow. In 2018 she received the Arizona Commission on the Arts’ Artist Research and Development Grant to support the development of her evening-length work /SER/. Ramirez is an original member of Yjastros, the American Flamenco Repertory Company and has toured with world-renowned, New York-based company Noche Flamenca. Along with teaching and performing Ramirez produces events and festivals and is currently the curator for the Traditional and Ethnic Dance Festival with the Southwest Folklife Alliance.
**Misael Barraza Diaz**
Born in Mexico, Misael is one of the most talented guitarists of his generation. While the artist holds several degrees in classical guitar performance – including a doctorate in musical arts – flamenco guitar has and always will be an intrinsic part of his musical identity. Originally self-taught, Misael went on to study in Spain with renowned flamenco guitarist and educator Oscar Herrero, where he polished his skills as a solo flamenco guitarist. Since then, however, he has become one of the prominent flamenco accompanists in the Arizona region, as his devotion to flamenco and its essence has driven his artistic growth throughout the years. As a result, the artist has performed with all of the major flamenco dance companies and artists in the area and continues to do so while developing a solo guitar career. Misael has released a flamenco guitar CD titled “Luz de Día”, to be soon followed by three more flamenco guitar projects currently being recorded and produced.
**Olivia Rojas**
Olivia Rojas is a traveling flamenco singer artist. She began her professional career singing choral and Mexican rancheras. In 2004, Olivia began singing flamenco cante and has toured throughout the United States with Calo Flamenco: Ballet de Martin Gaxiola and Chris Burton Jacomé Flamenco Ensemble. She has had the honor of performing at the prestigious Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque during the Albuquerque Flamenco Festival for the past two years and recently performed with Sachiko “La Chayí”, DanzArtsSan Diego, EmiArteFlamenco and La Juerga Flamenco Ensemble. She has performed throughout the State of Arizona with Alma Performing Arts, Carlos Montufar – World Dance, Mosaico, Yumi La Rosa Ensemble, Flamenco del Pueblo Viejo and Inspiracion Flamenca. Olivia is Co-Owner of Arizona based, Flamenco Por La Vida along with Angelina Ramirez. She performs in various venues throughout the Valley and teaches a weekly flamenco cante and communication class at the Lost Leaf in downtown Phoenix. Flamenco Por La Vida offers Lecture Demonstrations throughout the Valley and is currently holding a weekly movement and music clinic at the Mayo Clinic Hospital – Phoenix.