A’lante Flamenco Gets the Audience Involved in “Procession:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:

Olivia Chacon

512-850-1115

A’LANTE FLAMENCO GETS THE AUDIENCE INVOLVED IN “PROCESSION”

AUSTIN – A’lante Flamenco is offering the next in a series of flamenco “experiences:” the award-winning, Austin-based music and dance ensemble has previously taken audiences on a journey to explore such unexpected topics as cooking, Greek myths, and Mexican nuns. Their newest production, Procession, will be at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center for six presentations February 14-23.

According to Artistic Director Olivia Chacon, “Procession is based on the concept of a parade, and how shared experiences are heightened. This is our most interactive production yet, and in fact, the audience itself becomes a performer in this show.” She says that A’lante Flamenco’s goal has always been to bridge cultural divides, telling stories and touching audiences emotionally using flamenco and dance as the medium.

“I love those moments that really touch you emotionally, mainly because you’re with a big group of strangers, all experiencing the same thing. It can happen in church, or at the movie theater, or a football game, or those very public marriage proposals where all the bystanders get to witness this very personal, vulnerable moment, and they become part of the story. I definitely felt that welling up of emotion at the Austin women’s march a few years ago. Those things are very powerful for me, and I want to share that in Procession,” says Chacon.

This will be A’lante Flamenco’s first production at the E.S.B. Mexican American Cultural Center, where they are resident artists under the city’s new Latino Artist Access Program. The flamenco troupe plans to use the MACC’s central plaza, or zocalo, to begin the show with a parade evoking Semana Santa processions in Andalucia, flamenco’s traditional home. Audience and performers will then proceed into the theater together, accompanied by a marching band directed by Oliver Steck, of the Moon Tower Brass Band.

Says Chacon, “Our choreography in this show is very traditional—as always, you’ll see lots of powerful footwork, and a musical palette ranging from the Saeta (a very somber song sung during Semana Santa in Spain), to Arabic-influenced Zambra, featuring one of our amazing guest artists, singer Julie Slim Nassif. We’ll also have a few unexpected additions that I don’t want to reveal yet!”

Audiences for all six presentations will be invited to sing along, chant, or clap at various points throughout the show. “We’ll be depending heavily on their reactions, which is actually always a big part of flamenco. In this case, their participation is magnified. I have a feeling that each of the six presentations will be totally different, depending on the mood of the audience, so I’m interested to see how that plays out.”

Procession takes place at the E.S.B. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, February 14, 15 & 16, and February 21, 22, and 23. Friday and Saturday performances are at 8pm, and Sunday matinees are at 4pm. Tickets are $21 at www.alanteflamenco.com/tickets.

A’lante Flamenco was formed in Austin in 2011 with the goal of presenting innovative ‘flamenco theater’ while incorporating the traditions that form the basis of the flamenco art form. The 11-member group, including dancers and musicians, has earned a reputation for creative, high-energy productions, and has twice earned the Austin Critics’ Table Award for “Best Dance Ensemble” (2014 and 2015). In 2012, their production of The Red Shoes-A Flamenco Fairytale was named one of the year’s “10 Best Dance Shows” by the San Antonio Express News. A’lante Flamenco is a member of the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Touring Roster, and performs frequently throughout the state.

For more information on A’lante Flamenco, see alanteflamenco.com

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.