Conchas Vargas is Coming!

Written by Marianna

 E-mail

Hello everyone.
    We are back from Spain and I (Marianna) am now in New York visiting my granddaughter.  
    Concha Vargas and her daughter Carmen are now in the US, in LA. They will be up in Northern California on Sunday. I know that the deadline for the good price in the Santa Cruz workshops is Friday and we urge you, no matter what your level, to take advantage of this phenomenal artist. Sign up for the workshops now. Concha is an outstanding and caring teacher and her material is fantastic. She teaches the traditional, puro Flamenco of the Gypsies of Andalucia. We are fortunate to have her come back to the US. Please don’t miss your chance to study with Concha here in California. Our teaching style is based on what she has taught me, and I know that all my students will benefit from Concha’s classes. She has so much to offer. Please sign up now whether you are our students or not! You’re in for a treat.
     And of course be sure to get your tickets for the shows early so you won’t miss the shows. They will be special.  Concha is a living legend. David Serva is another legend. Clara Mora was paired dancing with Miguel Funi last time she performed here. And Carmen is an up and coming name. Don’t miss them.

Come get a taste of Spain!!!! Hope to see you in August.
    Our website has now been redone. Pretty soon all our Spain 2007 writings will be posted.
    A lot of our new photos are already up.

    Saludos,
Marianna and Federico ”Freddie” Mejia, Flamenco Romantico.


CONCHA VARGAS Workshops  

San Rafael (Marin County) -- Saturday & Sunday, August 4 & 5
Two day workshop of Sevillanas por Bulerias
August 4, Saturday 5:30-7:30 pm
August 5, Sunday 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Location: Dance w. Sherry Studio   4140 Redwood Hwy, 2nd floor
Directions: Hwy 101. Freitas Parkway Exit, Redwood Blvd. is EAST of Freeway
* $85 per 2-day workshop in advance or $95 after deadline
*Single day drop-in (2 hours) $50
* For discount rate, send checks postmarked before July 28  
to Amit Barson, 111 Claremont Terrace, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
For more info: Phone Miriam (415) 259-6377   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Santa Cruz, August 6th to 10th and 13th to 16th
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Bulerias Romance, all levels  
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Solea, inter/adv. level  
Sat August 11th
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Bulerias Romance, all levels
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Solea, inter/adv. level
Location: Flamenco Romantico,  
1007 Hidden Valley Rd. Soquel, California 95073
* $200 per workshop in advance or $215 after deadline
* $380 if taking both in advance or $400 after deadline
* If taking 5 classes per workshop: $125 in advance or $135 after deadline. Each additional class will be $25., Single Class walk in $30
* To get discount rate, send checks postmarked before July 27
to  Amit Barson, 111 Claremont Terrace, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
For more info contact Amit Barson (831) 426-7116    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


San Jose, August 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Sevillanas por Bulerias
(must know the first two coplas)
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Alegrias Cantiñas
Location: Hoover Community Center
1677 Park Avenue (Room #14, San José, CA. 95126  
(located at the corner of Park Av. and Naglee Ave, across the street from the Egyptian Museum.)
* $125 per session in advance, $135 per session thereafter
*$30 per drop-in
* Special discount: BOTH for only $235 early enrollment
Make check payable to The Flamenco Society of San Jose, P. O. Box 7173, San Jose CA. 95150
For more info contact Amit Barson (831) 426-7116    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
The Flamenco Society of San Jose, (510) 792-8355, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
La Nina Productions
The Bay Area Flamenco Partnership
(510) 368-0294        www.laninaflamenco.com

Berkeley --  Saturday, August 25  (DATE CHANGE!)
Two Workshops:
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Tangos, all levels 
1:45 pm to 3:15 pm Bulerias Romance, all levels
In the "al golpe" rhythm of Lebrija, the Bulerias Romance is a form that draws from the Alboreá, exclusive to Gypsy weddings, and from the Romance, another Gypsy form that uses narrative verses and a rhythm close to Solea por Bulerias. The Bulerias Romance is typical of the Gypsy flamenco families of Utrera and Lebrija. Miguel Funi, Pepa de Benito and Ines Bacan are all known for their use of this form.
Location: Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA  
* $30 per workshop in advance or $35 after deadline
* To get discount rate, send checks postmarked before August 21, 2007  
payable to Amit Barson, 111 Claremont Terrace, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
More info contact Mimi via email   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (510) 387-7795
*******************************

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!!!!

FLAMENCO Direct from Spain!  
The Bay Area Flamenco Partnership and La Nina Productions present
Legendary flamenco guitarist DAVID SERVA
with renowned Gypsy dancer CONCHA VARGAS  
joined by her daughter, singer CARMEN DE QUINTIN,  
guitarist DANIEL STAFFLER and dancer CLARA MORA.  

Two performances!
SATURDAY, AUGUST 18th, La Pena Cultural Center, Berkeley  
SUNDAY, AUGUST 19th, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz


***Scroll down for info on Workshops in several cities
***Note date change for workshop in Berkeley***
***Sign up NOW for workshop discounts!


Direct from Spain, an evening of sublimely spontaneous and deeply authentic flamenco puro in an intimate setting as it is rarely seen outside of private gatherings of flamenco artists and Gypsy families in Spain where every nuance of  arte and charisma can be fully appreciated.  

Featured dancer, Concha Vargas is an icon of Spanish Gypsy culture. Through her dance she transmits a legacy of a grassroots art passed down from generation to generation.  Known for her dynamic, fiery style she has performed all over the world and is a frequent guest artist of Antonio "El Pipa" and Company (Gypsy Caravan). She and her teenage daughter, singer Carmen de Quintin are directly related to both of the two most important Gypsy flamenco families of Lebrija, a small town at the very epicenter of flamenco history. Guitarist David Serva, who lived in Berkeley in his youth, returns to visit the Bay Area after living in Spain for the last 40 years where he has gained recognition as one of the leading accompanists of Gypsy flamenco. (see attached articles for extensive background on Serva and Vargas).

Representing the area's vibrant Flamenco community, The Bay Area Flamenco Partnership is a grassroots arts organization dedicated to presenting quality Flamenco to audiences throughout Northern California. Productions feature visiting artists from Spain and provide a forum for the rich pool of outstanding local Flamenco performers. For more information see http://www.laninaflamenco.com

SAT, AUGUST 18, 8:30pm
LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER
3105 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
Box Office hours: Wed-Sat. 1-6pm  
(510) 849-2568 ext. 20
Also online at http://www.lapena.org

SUN, AUGUST 19, 8pm
KUUMBWA JAZZ CENTER
320 Cedar St, Santa Cruz
Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/producerevent/17537?prod_id=4420
Streetlight Records (lower service fees online)
939 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
(831) 421-9200

Artists will also be offering workshops in dance and guitar throughout the month of August.
For further information scroll down or click HERE .:

CONCHA VARGAS, dancer, is directly related to both of the two great Gypsy singing families of Lebrija, the Pininis and the Penas. Her heritage is the pure Gypsy Flamenco that is the root of her dynamic, fiery style. She has performed all over Europe, Japan and the US for over 25 years and has worked with such flamenco greats as dancers El Guito and Mario Maya, guitarist Pedro Bacan and singers La Macanita and Curro Fernandez. In recent years she has been a featured guest artist with Antonio “El Pipa” and Company performing with them in both the US and Europe.

DAVID SERVA has accompanied such historical figures of flamenco as Juan Talega, Manolito de Maria, La Perla de Cadiz, Anzonini del Puerto and Fernanda de Utrera, more contemporary artists including Manuel Agujetas, Miguel Funi, Manolete, Mario Maya, and Blanca del Rey, and younger figures such as Joaquin Ruiz, Soledad Barrios, and Jose Torres de Moron. He plays in Flamenco nightclubs and festivals all over Spain and has participated in the Bienal del Arte Flamenco de Sevilla with Gypsy flamenco artists from the towns of Moron and Lebrija. He was first guitarist for several years for the acclaimed company "Noche Flamenca," and has received two grants from "Meet the Composer" for collaborations with choreographers. His solo concert in Toronto (Son Gitano en America) is available on compact disc, and he has also recorded extensively with three generations of the Agujetas family of singers from Jerez de la Frontera, with Antonio Vizárraga, and with Rafael Jiménez "El Falo".

CARMEN DE QUINTÍN, singer and dancer, is the daughter of Concha Vargas. Still in her late teens she is an expressive singer and dancer, steeped in the traditions of her family and attuned to the latest trends in modern flamenco. She performs regularly throughout Andalucía, Spain.

CLARA MORA has performed flamenco with the companies of Ramón de los Reyes, Estrella Morena, Jose Molina, Noche Flamenca, Los Canasteros and Flamenco Vivo, in flamenco nightclubs in New York, San Francisco, Madrid and Seville, and in solo concert. She has shared the stage with such pure flamenco artists as Miguel Funi, Pepa de Utrera, Jose Torres (of Son de la Frontera) and la Repompa de Málaga.

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS in Berkeley, San Rafael, San Jose and Santa Cruz
with Gypsy Artist from Seville, Spain
Concha Vargas
*Date change for Berkeley Workshop

San Rafael, Marin County -- August 4 & 5th  
Sevillanas por Bulerias -- Great for social dancing and fun with a partner!
This form of dance is an excellent example of how the Gypsies took elements of classical Spanish styles and adopted them to their own.  
The Sevillanas, like the Bulerias, can be marked in sixes. Therefore, this particular Sevillanas has the " aire" of the Bulerias, including many Bulerias steps,
but the structure and the cante remains the same as for Sevillanas.
Date/Time:
August 4, Saturday 5:30-7:30 pm
August 5, Sunday 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Location: Dance w. Sherry Studio   4140 Redwood Hwy, 2nd floor
Directions: Hwy 101. Freitas Parkway Exit, Redwood Blvd. is EAST of Freeway
Cost: * $85 per 2-day workshop (4 hours) in advance or $95 after deadline
*Single day drop-in (2 hours) $50
* For discount rate, send checks postmarked before July 28  
to Amit Barson, 111 Claremont Terrace, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
For more info: Phone Miriam (415) 259-6377   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 Santa Cruz, August 6th to 10th and 13th to 16th  
Two Workshops:
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Bulerias Romance, all levels  
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Solea, inter/adv. level  
Sat August 11th
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm Bulerias Romance, all levels
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm Solea, inter/adv. level
Location: Flamenco Romantico,  
1007 Hidden Valley Rd. Soquel, California 95073
* $200 per workshop in advance or $215 after deadline
* $380 if taking both in advance or $400 after deadline
* If taking 5 classes per workshop: $125 in advance or $135 after deadline. Each additional class will be $25., Single Class walk in $30
* To get discount rate, send checks postmarked before July 27
to  Amit Barson, 111 Claremont Terrace, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
For more info contact Amit Barson (831) 426-7116    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

San Jose, August 20, 21, 22, 23, 24  
Two Workshops:
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Sevillanas por Bulerias
(must know the first two coplas)
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM - Alegrias Cantiñas
Location: Hoover Community Center
1677 Park Avenue (Room #14, San Jose, CA. 95126  
(located at the corner of Park Av. and Naglee Ave, across the street from the Egyptian Museum.)
* $125 per session in advance, $135 per session thereafter
*$30 per drop-in
* Special discount: BOTH for only $235 early enrollment
Make check payable to The Flamenco Society of San Jose, P. O. Box 7173, San Jose CA. 95150
For more info contact Amit Barson (831) 426-7116    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
The Flamenco Society of San Jose, (510) 792-8355, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Berkeley --  Saturday, August 25  (DATE CHANGE!)
Two Workshops:
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Tangos, all levels 
1:45 pm to 3:15 pm Bulerias Romance, all levels
In the "al golpe" rhythm of Lebrija, the Bulerias Romance is a form that draws from the Alboreá, exclusive to Gypsy weddings, and from the Romance, another Gypsy form that uses narrative verses and a rhythm close to Solea por Bulerias. The Bulerias Romance is typical of the Gypsy flamenco families of Utrera and Lebrija. Miguel Funi, Pepa de Benito and Ines Bacan are all known for their use of this form.
Location: Ashkenaz Music and Dance Center, 1317 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA  
* $30 per workshop in advance or $35 after deadline
* To get discount rate, send checks postmarked before August 21, 2007  
payable to Amit Barson, 111 Claremont Terrace, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
More info contact Mimi via email   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (510) 387-7795

La Nina Productions
The Bay Area Flamenco Partnership
(510) 368-0294        www.laninaflamenco.com