reviews
24 July 2006
Remember last year's stamping and haughty posturing at the Warehouse? This is a delightful smaller version with a twist. Hip Hop versus flamenco. Best two of three.
I know Michelle Cook siad in her Jenny review that she wanted more passion. It was there on the Friday noon stage. A full house gave a strong response to each exchange, as well, as the the addition of suitcase drummer, Winnipegger, Duncan McGregor.
Diversity can sometimes mean varied but mediocre. This time it meant excellence.
RON ROBINSON
What more positive can be said about such a popular show! This exceptionally talented group, combining experience and unfettered youth made it so easy!
The flamenco performance includes not only guitar and dance, but basic percussion and the remarkable live creation of graffiti art, as well.
This flamenco is both new and respectful in its treatment of the past. Don't expect the lady flamenco dancer to don castanets in this well-excecuted show. They're completely absent and never missed!
Expect improvements in the form instead, with rhythms from guitar tapping, bongos, speech that is informative and runs forward during the dances, and, best of all, a lady that moves so assuredly and gracefully, even as she confidently stamps out her own determined ground.
There's something magical about this kind of flamenco that takes you both inside and outside of yourself, and uses new and old dance styles to retell the story of the oldest and most important relationship - that between a man and a woman. This flamenci is bold, well-controlled and frequently unrestrained its movements. The woman repeatedly establishes her own terms for the flamenco and demands respect from her free-styling young male prtotege.
Great flamenco like this, is truly unforgettable. I am pleased to recommend yet another great act at this summer's most remarkablr Fringe festival!
DAVID J SHAVER