“De mi barrio” — Flamenco — Sept. 15 & 16

“De mi barrio” — Flamenco — Sept. 15 & 16


Two performances: 
8 p.m. • Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012 
7 p.m. • Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012
Reserved seating: $25 advance; $28 door


Tickets from 503-236-7253 or our online box office

In Sevilla, there is a neighborhood full of flamenco, where the best flamenco goes down in sketchy back alleys, artful peñas, and tablaos, where the paper posters line the dirty streets announcing classes in small dank studios.  Here is where flamenco dancer Melinda Hedgecorth lives, learns and creates, and “De mi barrio” is a presentation of the life, dedication and raw emotion in her neighborhood. With special guests Vicente Griego, Ricardo Díaz, and Laura Onizuka.

Part of Miracle Theatre Group’s 2012 La Luna Nueva Festival.

Artist’s website: www.melindaflamenco.carbonmade.com

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Melinda Hedgecorth graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (ballet, modern, and flamenco) from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.  She then began performing professionally with flamenco and modern dance troupes from all over the United States working with artists in Kansas City MO, Seattle WA, Portland OR, and Vancouver BC. In 1999 Melinda began yearly trips to Madrid and Jerez to cultivate a more profound understanding of flamenco at the source. There she studied with talented teachers such as Mercedes Ruíz, Belén Maya, and La Truco among many others. In 2004 she moved to Sevilla, Spain and began to perform in the local flamenco tablaos and peñas as well as the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, special venues such as Cristina Hoyo´s Museo del Baile Flamenco, and festivals such as Flamenco en la Frontera held yearly in Morón de la Frontera.  While living in Sevilla and performing traditionally with artists from Andalucía, Melinda maintains a forward-thinking fusion group in the United States, Flamenco Mío in Kansas City with guitarist Beau Bledsoe and saxophonist Mark Southerland. Each year she travels to give workshops, teach at universities, and perform internationally.  This year her activities include a tour of the west coast, Vancouver BC, and workshops in Kiev Ukraine.

From Dixon/Embudo, NM, Vicente «el Cartucho» Griego has devoted his life to the study of Cante Flamenco, the art of flamenco singing. In 1992, Vicente began touring the US, Canada, and Latin America with the Jose Greco II Flamenco Dance Company, where he was mentored by Caño Roto singer, Alfonso Gabarri, “El Veneno” of Madrid, Spain. He sings and teaches for the National Institute of Flamenco and sings year-round with Yjastros. Vicente remains a pupil of renowned flamenco artist Chuscales from Granada. “Vicente Griego “El Cartucho” is striking for his deep, sonorous wails that  seem to come from a cavern, someplace deep within his soul.” Anna Poplawska, Chicago Artist’s News

Ricardo Diaz discovered the art of flamenco in San Francisco, where he began his studies with guitarist Jorge Liceaga. Soon he started traveling to Spain, where he studied with master guitarists «El Entri,» «Canito,» «Chuscales,» and «El Viejin.» Ricardo began performing in festivals and flamenco concerts, in the United States, Canada, South America, Asia and Europe. His work includes collaborations with international dance companies such as Teatro Flamenco and «La Tania» of San Francisco, Caterina Costa in of Rome, Italy, Yjastros of Albuquerque, New Mexico and his own group, Flamenco Sur, based in Marseilles, France. Ricardo also has toured and performed with renowned flamenco artists such as Alejandro Granados, Jose Anillo, Pastora Galvan, Cristo Cortes and Andres Marin. He released «Travesuras» with Blue Light Records.

Laura Onizuka, recipient of a 2011 Regional Arts and Culture Council Professional Development Grant, is the founder and owner of Portland Flamenco Events. She has become a conduit of flamenco in the northwest. Laura has trained with such esteemed artists as: Mercedes Ruíz, Manuel Liñan, Marco Flores, Olga Pericet,, Pastora Galván, La Chiqui de Jerez, La Truco, Miguel Cañas, Matilde Coral, Inmaculada Ortega, Angeles Gabaldón, Alicia Márquez, Ricardo López, Emilio Ochando, Ana María López, Felipe Mato, and María Bermúdez. She travels regularly to Spain to study, to maintain her connection to flamenco’s roots, and to share her experiences with others. Laura is fueled by the challenge and beauty of this art form which she uses to express herself. She believes anyone who is moved by flamenco has the capability to access it.