Anda Flamenco News

Visit Anda Flamenco’s New Studio on Sunday, June 8, 2008

Anda Flamenco Company and School rang in the New Year with a new home! We moved into our spacious new studio in the Ivy Arts Building (ivyartsbuilding.com) on January 1, 2008.

Walls built, mirrors hung and floors installed, Anda Flamenco is ready to officially inaugurate our new home on Sunday, June 8th. Our open house and fundraiser will run from 1 - 5 p.m. The students will present mini-performances every half-hour starting at 1:45.

Our beautiful new studio has a lounge, dressing room, and a gorgeous 21' x 26' maple dance floor. It is currently available to rent for rehearsals or classes, with both daytime and evening openings. Click here for more information.
 

The Zapatistas Celebrate Their 10th Anniversary

On a recent chilly April evening, Anda Flamenco School's guerilla-flamenco, street-dancing Zapatistas opened their 2008 season by revisiting the site of their first "outing" in November of 1998—The Riverview Cafe on the corner of 38th Street and 42nd Avenue in Minneapolis. Lots of wonderful changes have taken place on that corner in 10 years—and The Zapatistas have continued to grow and improve as well! Keep an eye out for them this summer—with their full schedule this summer you're sure to be zapped!
 

Kristina Will Be the Guest Artist at La Bodega on Saturdays, May 10 and June 14

Kristina will join Alfredo y Amigos from 8:00 - 10:30 at La Bodega on Lake and Lyndale in Minneapolis, and then she'll drink red wine and eat tapas of quail and fish croquetas afterwards - her favorite part of the evening. Yummm!!!
 

Kristina Teaches Sevillanas in Reno, Nevada

Teaching Sevillanas simply and quickly to both dancers and non-dancers alike has long been a specialty of Kristina's. Before the turn of the century she taught annual spring workshops on the rooftop of a restaurant overlooking Loring Park. Here, after a mere six hours of classes, non-dancers were sipping sangria and working up a sweat dancing all four Sevillanas in their goose-down coats, surrounded by a bevy of propane heaters.

Kristina will be taking her specialty to Reno during Anda's break in late May. She's looking forward to meeting with the small but growing flamenco community there, and once again, demystifying Sevillanas.
 

Our Cordobesa Receives a Medal from the King of Spain and the Minister of Culture

King Juan Carlos I and the Minister of Culture have authorized the presentation of "La Cruz de la Orden de Mérito Civil" to our local flamenco treasure, Spanish-born flamenco singer María Elena "La Cordobesa." The award is in recognition of 46 years of La Cordobesa's significant contributions to Spanish song and culture in the United States. It was presented in a ceremony at the Spanish consulate in Chicago by Ambassador Sr. D. Javier Ruperez on October 29, and is the same award that was presented to José Greco.

"La Cordobesa" moved to Minnesota 46 years ago after her marriage to poet B. E. Marsh. What luck her love has brought to us!

Zapatistas Juana María and María Luisa become Anda Flamenco Company's New Apprentices

Anda Flamenco Company is proud to welcome Juana María and María Luisa into the company. Their sheer dedication, continually growing dance skills, and maturity of emotional expression make them perfect candidates for this "promotion." Keep an eye out for them in future performances and collaborations.
 

Anda Flamenco Designs an Innovative Workshop for Children 4 -7

Kristina de Sacramento has received many requests to teach classes for young children. In July of 2007, she went to Western Springs, Illinois to observe classes at Jo's Footwork, taught by Corey Magel, an acclaimed teacher of children's dance. Kristina came away inspired! Her new approach to flamenco for the very young is designed to encourage creativity while fostering the discipline needed to continue in dance. Classes started this October and will continue on Saturdays from 1:00 to 1:45 pm. See our Classes page for more details.
 

Our Guitarist Trevor "El Rebujito" Shows Target How It's Done!

When Kristina received a phone call asking her to recommend a guitarist who could lay down a flamenco/hip-hop fusion track for an upcoming Target commercial, she didn't hesitate to send in Anda Flamenco's guitarist, "El Rebujito." Kristina saw the rough cut recently, and WOW! Keep an eye out for the commercial, which features a man flying all over a room doing a mix of hip-hop, capoeira, and kung-fu. The dazzling guitar piece you'll be hearing was composed by "El Rebujito" on the spot. He did all the sound tracks, including both tracks of "palmas" (the percussive handclapping). Rumor has it they're surely going to use him again. May he bask in riches!