Pride. Sorrow. Love. Passion. Universal themes that touch and transcend the boundaries of the many cultures in America . Through its purity of form, rhythms and intensity, flamenco strikes primal chords in the emotions of audiences of all ages, all cultures, all degrees of exposure to the arts.

Flamenco is considered worldwide to be one of the richest expressions of folklore. It is inherently a multicultural art form. Originally from Andalusia , the southern region of Spain , it developed from the interaction of the many cultures that inhabited this region for centuries.

Traditional dances include the joyful Alegrias, with songs that are light and carefree in spirit. The Tangos, one of the oldest and most basic gypsy forms. The Soleres, the essence and root of flamenco, with its themes of romantic tragedy, desolation and death. The flamenco party frequently ends por Bulerias, with a “jam session” in which everyone takes their turn to “show their stuff.”

lamenco Vivo Carlota Santana is one of the nation’s premier flamenco and Spanish dance companies. They believe that the universal spirit of flamenco, a multicultural art form, has the power to build bridges between cultures and inspire audiences from diverse backgrounds. We welcome this amazing company back to the Patten Performances for this special performance.

Photo via Lois Greenfield.