PREVIEW OF VIDA FLAMENCA AT THE BROAD

If you’ll be anywhere near SoCal this coming week-end, I have just the event for you! It’s Vida Flamenca at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, which is one of the easiest theatres in town. It even has free parking!

The info for the show.

Being a lover of all things dance, I was happy to learn that this renowned flamenco company will be in our own backyard this Saturday night, June 24. And it even has a fun tapas and cooked-right-there paella reception before the show! Who can resist that wonderful combo??? Certainly not I. And all ticket purchases support the company’s non-profit programming, so that makes it a trifecta of goodness.

When I was cleaning-out my childhood home a few years ago, I came upon a treasure trove of programs from all of the theatre experiences my parents took me to. And one was a program for José Limón at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which is most likely the only flamenco dance show I’ve seen live in my life. I was around four years old, but I still remember bits of what was to be his last performance.

I can’t believe I haven’t seen that beautiful form of dance since then. So I’m extra looking forward to seeing Vida Flamenca this coming Saturday night.

This is what I know about the one-night-only show:

The evening begins with a Spanish fare reception which will feature authentic Paella and an assortment of Tapas. (I believe that portion of the evening is an add-on, but please check their website below to find-out the exact details.) It sounds like a wonderful prelude to the presentation.

A preview of the pre-show reception. Photo courtesy of Vida Flamenca, as is the one at the top of this page.

Then the actual Vida Flamenca show will be like a smorgasbord of Spanish Dance; it’s not just Flamenco, but also Escuela Bolera and Danza Clasica. I’m not familiar with the differences among the styles, so I’m particularly interested in discovering them all, especially Danza Clasica because I understand it to be somewhat balletic.

I know that everyone in the dance world is ecstatic about rising star Daniel Ramos. He will be joined by singer/dancer Miguel Ángel Heredia, guitarist Yerai Cortés, singer Francisco Orozco, El Yiyi, and dancers Lakshmi Basile, La Chimi, and duo Daniela and Ryan Zermeno along with their Zermeno Dance Academy from Santa Barbara.

Daniel Ramos. Photo courtesy of Vida Flamenca.

I had thought of trying to interview all of them beforehand, but since my formerly-good Spanish is now limited to phrases like “muchas ropas” (“too many clothes,” which I’ve been told I have,) and “muy hoven,” (“very young,” which is what I’ve been told my guy pals are,) I figure I’ll wait until I possibly meet them in person, so perhaps my gestures will help them understand my feeble attempt at their language.

But dance does not ever need talk accompanying it, so I’m fine with just witnessing what these artists are offering on stage. I cannot wait!

So whether you’re a Spanish dance fan, a regular old dance fan, a foodie, a person who loves close-by free parking, (which is indeed a pleasure!,) or just a fan of culture, Vida Flamenca is the event for you! I hope to see you all there. Come up and say hi, just not when I’m stuffing an empanada in my mouth!

Vida Flamenca on June 24, 2023 only!
The Broad Stage
1310 11th Street, Santa Monica
www.itsmyseat.com/events/231824.html