Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca: La Noche Quebrada
Zellerbach Hall Auditorium
U.C. Berkeley
Bancroft Way at Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA
8 PM, Friday, February 8, 2013

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[8:12 PM lights down, announcements]

• La Plaza, performed by the Company, choreography by Martín Santangelo
• La Mansa Lluvia, performed by the Company, choreography by Soledad Barrio
• Encuentro, performed by Antonio Jiménez
• Solo de Cante, performed by Jose Jímenez & Manuel Gago
  

[8:x PM set ends]

[9:26 PM lights down]

• Quebradas, performed by the Company, choreography by Martín Santangelo
• Mediodía, performed by Sol La Argentinita & Salva de Maria
• Soledad, performed by Soledad Barrio
  

[set ends 10:02 PM]

• (unidentified work – brief solos by everyone)
  

[10:08 PM show ends]

• Sol La Argentinita AKA Glenda Sol Koeraus: dancer;
• Soledad Barrio: dancer, choreographer;
• Marina Elana: dancer;
• Manuel Gago: cantaore vox;
• Eugenio Iglesias: guitar;
• Antonio “El Chupete” Jiménez: dancer;
• Jose Jímenez: cantaore vox;
• Salva de María: guitar;
• Martín Santangelo: dancer, artistic director.

Unlike the reviewers who claim that authentic Flamenco belongs in a dim and smokey bar instead of a large theatre, I've not experienced the former sort of performance, so I have no problem enjoying the latter.

Would I have liked to see this show in a dim and smokey bar? Only if the smoke was theatrical – at this point, my tolerance for cigarette smoke is quite low!

Anyways, I thought tonight's performance was fun. The opening number did a good job of introducing us to the company, as the performers entered alone or in small groups, shared a bit of their specialty, then ceded the spotlight to the next entrant.

The next two numbers were also good – showing off the dancers, but I especially enjoyed the final work of the set, which featured the two singers trading long lines back and forth.

After another company piece to begin the second set, Sol La Argentinita and Marina Elana, clad in dishy dresses of red and white, respectively, performed a duet of sorts. My interpretation was that it was supposed to represent a sort of womanly duel, but the fighting remained abstract and suggestive rather than blatantly aggressive.

This set things up for the show piece, an extended solo dance by Soledad Barrio. Wow! Truly a stunner!

Of course there was no way the audience was going to let them get away without a little more, so after an extended applause break and multiple entrances and exits for the obligatory bows, the company returned for one more brief dance, allowing each member one last short solo before ending the night with a final set of bows.

For another persective, you can read Allan Ulrich's review for SFGate.

Back to the previous event ☸ Back to the 2013 yearbox ☸ Back to the 2013 event list! ☸ On to the next event!