The U.S. festival finalizes a program which gathers figures such as Chocolate, Sara Baras, Manuela Carrasco, Israel Galván and José Mercé

Flamenco-world.com, September 2003

Tradition and avant-garde shake hands in the next edition of Flamenco Festival USA 2004. Balancing cante, toque and baile, the great flamenco date in the U.S. hopes to offer a wide range of proposals. Although guitar genius Paco de Lucía appears as the main star, there is a star-studded bill. On the cante side, Chocolate, Arcángel and José Mercé stand out as bastions of tradition, neo-classicism and renovation, respectively. On the baile side, the contrast is established between the deep roots of Manuela Carrasco, the energy of Juan de Juan, the breaking away of Israel Galván, the classicism of José Antonio and the sweetness of Sara Baras. The festival will take place between January and February 2004 in major U.S. cities such as New York, Washington and Boston.

Manuela Carrasco (Photo: Daniel Muñoz)

The festival's opening gala in this third edition will be dedicated to Seville. Tribute is to be paid to the city which was the cradle of this art, on the one hand by emblems of its roots like bailaora Manuela Carrasco, cantaor Chocolate and a group of gypsy women from Jerez, including Juana la del Pipa and La Negra; and on the other hand, new blood personified in bailaores Israel Galván and Juan de Juan and cantaores Arcángel, Rafael de Utrera and Miguel Poveda.

The festival again welcomes Cádiz-born bailaora Sara Baras who, following the success achieved last year with 'Mariana Pineda', rescues the show 'Sueños' for the occasion. The festival also wishes to pay homage to flamenco dancing in its most classical facet, centering on the figure of José Antonio. And for this purpose, the Andalusian Dance Company - the ballet currently directed by the Madrilenian dancer and choreographer - will perform 'La Leyenda', a work paying tribute to Carmen Amaya forty years after her death; and 'Bodas de Sangre', one of the most important shows by Antonio Gades. At the same time, José Antonio will interpret the work 'Golpes da la vida' together with Rafael Campallo.

Two styles of performing cante flamenco contrast on the day shared by Mayte Martín and José Mercé. On the one hand, the Catalan cantaora will provide a sample of the return to classicism which her generation is leading. On the other hand, the Jerez-born cantaor will exhibit the refreshed flamenco from albums such as 'Lío' and 'Aire', which has convinced the Spanish audience so well, without forgetting the cantaor legacy of his land.

The climax of Flamenco Festival USA 2004 will be the performance of Paco de Lucía, who is to go on tour throughout North America in January and February, the Algeciras-born guitarist's return to stages following an absence of nearly two years he took to record his next album.