In less than four weeks we are presenting the Portland debut of a flamenco company that has established itself as one of most stirring and authentic of all touring flamenco companies, Noche Flamenca. We are excited to introduce Soledad Barrio, the star, and widely regarded as one of the great dance artists today, flamenco or otherwise.

Why is White Bird, a contemporary dance presenting company, presenting flamenco, a dance and music art form that many would consider highly traditional? In past years we have presented Eva Yerbabuena twice in 2004 and 2006, a flamenco artist whose stark purity has gained admirers from many contemporary choreographers and dancers (most notably Pina Bausch). We also brought Nuevo Ballet Espanol (2006), featuring the dynamos Carlos Rodriguez and Angel Rojas.

   Soledad Barrio

An important reason that we are presenting Noche Flamenca, from Madrid, is that Soledad and her gifted performers feel totally contemporary in the way they “bare” the distinctive flamenco movement. The New York Times has stated that Soledad Barrio seems to “pry open her soul” in this “strangely intimate experience” of watching her dance.

Unlike the two previous flamenco companies we have presented, Noche Flamenca is performing in the much more intimate venue of the 880-seat Newmark Theatre. The reason is that this much smaller company of dancers/singers/musicians was created in1993 to simulate the experience of watching flamenco in a club or bar, where it has the greatest impact. The nuances of the staccato, highly disciplined dancing tend to get lost in large venues such as the Schnitzer. Soledad Barrio is riveting, and the power of her performance, called “cathartic” by The New York Times, is best appreciated in a venue where the audience feels an immediate connection to the performer.  The Newmark Theatre does that, no question.

It will be a treat to bring Soledad, her husband Martin Santangelo (artistic director) and the fiery dancers, singers and guitarists of Noche Flamenca to Portland for three shows in the gray days of January.