The annual Flamenco Festival returns to Sadler’s Wells for the 14th year from Wednesday 15–Sunday 26 February 2017, representing the varied styles of the celebrated art form with performances from some of the world’s finest flamenco dancers and musicians.
Opening this year’s festival on the main stage on Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 February is a UK Premiere from the inventive Israel Galván with FLA.CO.MEN. For this work he follows a similar vein to some of his previous works, including La Curva and La Edad De Oro, which sees Galván break the rules, deconstructing and pushing the boundaries of the dance form, and charging it with a new energy. Galván was last seen at Sadler’s Wells with Associate Artist, Akram Khan in their Sadler’s Well production of TOROBAKA in July 2015.
Theatrical performer and Flamenco Festival favourite Eva Yerbabuena returns to Sadler’s Wells with her company with the UK Premiere of Apariencias from Friday 17 – Sunday 19 February on the main stage. Renowned internationally as being one of Spain’s leading dancers, she is accompanied by four dancers and her critically acclaimed ensemble of musicians, including African guest singer Alana Sinkëy.
One of the most renowned Flamenco dancers of Jerez, Mercedes Ruiz brings Déjame Que Te Baile which translates to Let Me Dance For You, performing on the main stage on Tuesday 21 February. The show is a declaration of love to the audience. This UK Premiere is an autobiographical work glancing back on Ruiz’s career, which was marked by flamenco from an early age.
Returning to the main stage, a highlight of each year’s Flamenco Festival, Gala Flamenca, created specially for the London festival, runs from Thursday 23 – Saturday 25 February. Directed by Manuel Liñan, Gala Flamenca 2017 features some of the most exciting figures on the flamenco scene including the legendary Gypsy dancer Juana Amaya, Olga Pericet, described by The Guardian as an “astonishing dancer”, Jesus Carmona, Patricia Guerrero, and Rocío Marquez, considered as one of the shining voices of flamenco today.
The final performance on the main stage is by choreographer, director, multi award-winning dancer and director of Gala Flamenca 2017, Manuel Liñan, with his company Cía. Manuel Liñán presents their UK Premiere of Reversible on Sunday 26 February. Liñán returns to Sadler’s Wells with an emotional voyage back to the memories and instincts of childhood. Framed by children’s games, from jump rope to dressing up, Liñán sets out to discover the core of who we are.
Sadler’s Wells also runs a small flamenco programme in the Lilian Baylis Studio. This year’s programme focuses on intimate music concerts. Opening the programme on Wednesday 22 February is flamenco guitarist Santiago Lara performing Tribute To Pat Metheny, a concert co-presented by Instituto Cervantes as part of a concert series the Institute organise called Guitarrisimo. The show is a flamenco tribute to American jazz guitarist and composer, Pat Metheny.
The festival’s finale, and completing the Lilian Baylis programme, is by flamenco singer Rocío Márquez and flamenco guitarist Miguel Ángel Cortés, who will be performing an intimate concert on Sunday 26 February. Rocío’s captivating style combines retro cool, modern elegance and an impressive passionate vocal delivery.
For more information on Flamenco Festival London 2017, and to book your tickets, visit the Sadler’s Wells website.