(Linda
Vargas. Pic by Val Adamson)
The Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company in
collaboration with jazz musicians Neil Gonsalves (piano), Demi Fernandez (jazz/flamenco
guitar) and Bryan Stone (percussion) will present their new production More Flamenco, More Jazz to Durban audiences at the end of
November.
More
Flamenco, More Jazz presents new fusion choreographies
and compositions which will provide an even more exhilarating experience for
Durban audiences in the intimacy of the Jazz Centre. The production showcases
the talents of Demi Fernandez and Neil Gonsalves and Durban percussionist Bryan
Stone. These world renowned musicians in their own right, together with the
Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company will present a fusion of jazz and flamenco
music and dance which promises to leave audiences spellbound. Spectacular new
costumes, together with pulsating rhythms and exhilarating music and dance, will
provide a feast for the senses! Demi and Neil will also present a limited
edition of their first collaborative CD, due to be launched in 2014.
Linda Vargas is the founder and director of
the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company. She has choreographed numerous
flamenco dance productions as well as the opera productions La Traviata, Amal, Faust, Salome and Carmen. She co-founded the international
organization Alianza Flamenca and is a member of its Board of Directors as well
as its panel of international examiners. She currently lectures at UKZN and
performs, examines and conducts educational and corporate workshops both
nationally and internationally. Her educational dance workshops in schools and for
NAPTOSA assist teachers to incorporate dance in the formal school curriculum. Vargas
holds a Masters Degree in Education as well as B.A. Honours in Drama, LISTD and
Final Diploma (ISTD, London) PDB.
Neil Gonsalves holds a Masters degree in
Music and currently lectures at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has
performed in various national music festivals with numerous South Africa jazz
and Afro-beat luminaries as well as his own band, Tonk. He has also toured
internationally, including a four-year stint as part of Johnny Clegg’s band. He
has released a solo album North Facing
which represents a blend of modern South African and Nordic Jazz.
Demi Fernandez currently lectures in the
University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Jazz programme. Born in Brazil of Spanish parents,
he spent many years living and performing in Flamenco Tablaos in Spain. He has
also appeared as leading flamenco guitarist with numerous South African and
international Spanish dance companies. He is resident guitarist for the Linda
Vargas Flamenco Dance Company and has
composed musical scores for several SABC TV productions and also appeared in
numerous productions including Guitars
for Africa in Durban and at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
More
Flamenco, More Jazz runs at the Centre for Jazz and
Popular Music on the UKZN’s Howard College campus from November 27 to December
1. Performances nightly at 19h00 except for December 1 when the show starts at 15h00.
Entrance Fee R100 (R80 students/pensioners). Bookings through Linda on email: vargas@telkomsa.net or 031 201 0750
(mornings only). Tickets are limited for each performance so advance booking is
advised to avoid disappointment.
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