Antonio Canales premieres 'Ojos verdes', show dedicated to Fernando Villalón

Flamenco-world.com

Flamenco lands right in the middle of Andalusia's main tourist hub. Seville's Bienal de Flamenco, Andalusian Tourism and Selected Hotels organize the First World Flamenco Festival at Hotel Don Miguel in Marbella from December 27th to 31st, 2002. With the aim of "making the different facets of flamenco culture known to the international audience through cante, guitar and dance; fashion, gastronomy and art", the poster of this new festival, which coincides with the Second Selected Hotels Golf Festival and the gala 'Model of Models', concentrates on the Costa del Sol such outstanding artists as the bailaores Manuela Carrasco and Antonio Canales, guitarist Gerardo Núñez, pianist Dorantes and cantaor Arcángel, besides the winners of the Young Performers Contest of Seville's Bienal de Flamenco.

	Antonio Canales (Photo: Javier Hurtado)
	Arcángel (Photo: Javier del Real)

With Seville-born bailaor Antonio Canales as master of ceremonies, the first edition of the World Flamenco Festival kicks off on December 27th, 2002. On the first day of the festival, which is titled 'El Pórtico', the show 'Marbella Bailaora' will be presented, organized by Solera de Jerez and the Cooperative of Professional Andalusian Artists. Moreover, the dance and guitar courses and lectures classes begin, taught respectively by Carmen Cortés and Gerardo Núñez until December 30th. The guitarist from Jerez starts the jazz and flamenco sessions that very midnight which he will offer during the festival with his quintet, consisting of Perico Sambeat, Rafael de Utrera, Cepillo and Pablo Martín Caminero.

The rest of the program is framed under the name 'Festivales Bienal' in this festival in Marbella, coinciding with the Second Selected Hotels Golf Festival, which will bring together some fifteen thousand people on the coast of Málaga. Lebrija-born pianist Dorantes performs the repertoire of 'Sur', his new album, on December 28th. The following day, the winners of the Young Performers Contest of Bienal 2002 -guitarist Eduardo Trasierra, cantaora Rocío Bazán and bailaora Mercedes Ruiz- in a gala closed by Antonio Canales with the premiere of 'Ojos verdes'. With this new show, the bailaor and choreographer pays homage "to the Sevillian poet of the Generation of '27, Fernando Villalón, and to the triumphant youths who pursue success identified in a green-eyed bull".

On the 30th, Arcángel presents 'Desde la Tierra', a concert in which he is accompanied by the guitars of Juan Carlos Romero and Miguel Ángel Cortés, the percussion of Antonio Coronel and Paquito de Sanlúcar, the bass of Manolo Nieto and the Maestranza Theater's white voices choir. As the climax to the festival and the year, bailaora Manuela Carrasco will perform 'Jondo Adonai'. The show will take place following the gala of the contest 'Model of Models International', whose participants will don models exhibited in the festival's display of flamenco costumes and complements, directed by designer Paco Olea. In addition to the parallel activities to the festival are the exhibits 'Primos y brothers', a display of paintings and photographs by Zaafra and Arbelos; and 'Flamenco Photography' by Jorge Arroyo, lent by the Andalusian Flamenco Center.

Program of the World Flamenco Festival 2002 Hotel Don Miguel. Marbella (Málaga), from December 27th to 31st, 2002 December 27th 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dance course/lecture class by Carmen Cortés 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guitar course/lecture class by Gerardo Núñez 22:00 Festival opening, presented by Antonio Canales 10:30 p.m. Marbella Bailaora midnight Gerardo Núñez Quinteto December 28th 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dance course/lecture class by Carmen Cortés 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guitar course/lecture class by Gerardo Núñez 10:30 p.m. Dorantes midnight Gerardo Núñez Quinteto December 29th 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dance lecture class by Carmen Cortés 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guitar lecture class by Gerardo Núñez 10:30 p.m. Young Winners Gala of the 12th Bienal de Flamenco: Eduardo Trasierra, Rocío Bazán and Mercedes Ruiz. Grand finale: Antonio Canales midnight Gerardo Núñez Quinteto December 30th 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dance lecture class by Carmen Cortés 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guitar lecture class by Gerardo Núñez 10:30 p.m. 'Desde la Tierra'. Arcángel midnight Gerardo Núñez Quinteto December 31st 8:30 p.m. Gala dinner 'Model of Models International' 11 p.m. 'Jondo Adonai'. Manuela Carrasco Parallel activities December 10th - January 31st: 'Primos y brothers'. Zaafra and Arbelos December 27th - January 31st: 'Flamenco Photography' by Jorge Arroyo