Berdolé is proud to present a live Flamenco performance by dancers and musicians from the National Institute of Flamenco, based in Albuquerque, N.M. Dancer Joaquín Encinias and singer Vicente Griego lead a show studded with members of the Yjastros and Toro companies (Carlos Menchaca & Alisa Alba), guitarist Calvin Hazen, as well as students of the Tierra Adentro Flamenco Charter School — all part of the NIF.
$12 Adv – $15 Door
Doors @ 6 PM
Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” is from New Mexico, and has devoted his life to the study of cante Flamenco, the art of Flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the U.S.A., Canada and Latin America, with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto and Alfonso “Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. He remains a pupil of acclaimed guitarist, Chuscales. Vicente Griego has performed with Encinas Yjastros National Flamenco Company for the last six years and continues to tour the US.
Joaquín Encinias, Flamenco dancer is part of one of America’s few flamenco families, experiencing the art form as a way of life from his grandmother Clarita and mother Eva Encinias. He began his first lessons in Flamenco from his grandmother, Clarita, and began performing at age five. By age 12, he became a soloist in his mother’s company, Ritmo Flamenco. Encinias has had the tremendous opportunity to work closely with world-renowned artists including Antonio Canales, Eva La Yerbabuena, Los Farrucos, and Manolete, Carmen La Talegona, and Mercedes Amaya.
Also, in 1999, The National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts opened under the direction of Encinias, his mother Eva, and sister Marisol. Since that time, Encinias has developed his unique teaching framework, the only codified and copy-written Flamenco teaching methodology in the United States of America. As Artistic Director of Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, Encinias has amassed a dance repertory collection of over 20 pieces of original Flamenco choreography from some of the most influential Flamenco artists in the world. Today, he is one of the most highly sought-after flamenco artists and instructors in the nation because of his unique exposition of technique and craft. His musical talent and deep understanding of the language of Flamenco make him an exceptional and valuable instructor and choreographer.
At age 10, Carlos Menchaca began studying Mexican Regional Dance, Ballet, Spanish Classical, and Flamenco with his Aunt Belinda Menchaca in San Antonio, Texas. By age 16, Carlos performed with Guadalupe Dance Company and the Southwest Contemporary Ballet. In 2006 Carlos relocated to Albuquerque where he attends the University of New Mexico, dances with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company, and teaches at the National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts.
A native of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Alisa Alba began studying flamenco at the University of New Mexico with Master Artist and Teacher, Eva Encinias-Sandoval. She then danced with Alma Flamenca under Marisol Encinias and is currently a soloist with the professional touring group, Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. After placing in the top three during Concurso Nacional de Flamenco for three consecutive years, Alba won first place for dance in 2008. In 2011, Alisa’s dance career was recognized and awarded by the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, an organization that is dedicated to identifying and assisting emerging talent in theater, dance, and film. In addition to her performance career, Alba is also an instructor at the National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts, and teaches at Tierra Adentro: The New Mexico School of Academics, Arts, and Artesanía.
A recent transplant from Madrid, Spain, Calvin Hazen has been a professional guitarist for over 20 years. He has performed at some of the most prestigious theatres in the United States, as well as internationally including Radio City Music Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, Teatro Nacional in Mexico City and Teatro Madrid in Spain, where his performances have enjoyed enthusiastic critical acclaim from The New York Times and Village Voice. Television appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, and The Regis and Kathy Lee Show. After his initiation as a professional musician touring and recording with guitarist Ottmar Liebert, Calvin has since worked as musical director and composer for numerous companies including Suite Espanola, Carlota Santana Flamenco Vivo and Maria Benitez Teatro Flamenco. He is a regular performer and instructor for Festival Flamenco, Albuquerque. Recording credits include “The Hours Between Night and Day” with Ottmar Liebert, “El Pintor”, in Madrid, Spain and “Ni Mucho Ni Poco” in Santa Fe, N.M., for both of which Calvin worked as composer and co-producer. Currently, Calvin is in Albuquerque as an invited guest artist in the Dance Department at the University of New Mexico.