Flamenco Group Brings Spanish Culture To Mason

By Broadside Staff Writer Kristen White

José Parcel’s flamenco dance company performed the Ballet Flamenco at the Concert Hall on Saturday, Nov. 1. Flamenco dancing is a form of expression that originates from a rhythmic form of accentuation for singing. It is a contagious, spirited dance that includes the entire audience’s emotions and mood. These dances are very technical forms of theatrical performances that are closely tied to the Gypsy spirit. The Compañia Flamenco José Parcel was founded in Madrid, Spain and has been touring around the world for many years with their vibrant and colorful musicians, singers, and dancers. The feeling and intensity that the dancers brought to the stage resonated all throughout the Concert Hall on Saturday night.

Parcel has been studying the art of dance since he was 16 years old and made his professional debut with the Ballet de Valencia by Martin Vargas. Parcel’s first choreographed work was named Te traigo al sur, Miguel. He has toured all across America with Clara Romana’s company and the Carmina Burrana show. Parcel also joined the Ballet Nacional de España where he was able to interpret works such as Medea, Los Tarantos, Fantasia Galaica, and Poeta. Within this ballet company he worked with many masters of dance and gained an incredible amount of experience. Two new productions of Parcel’s have been launched recently, which include a large production with scenery and more than 20 artists called Espartaco and a smaller performance that got the chance to travel abroad called Sueños.

The production named Ballet Flamenco is a refreshing taste of Mediterranean culture. The ballet begins with a light and festive dance with slow body movements, defiant steps, and swift arm movements. The entire company was on stage to start off the evening with “Aire Fresco.” They gave the audience a taste of their spirit and excitement with partner dancing while speaking Spanish during certain moments.
The second dance switched the mood more towards a serious interpretation of dance. “Soledad” was performed by Parcel and was the strongest dance in the entire production. The lighting was intensely blue while a spotlight was on just Parcel and the chair he was posing on. The difficulty level of this dance was very high and Parcel was able to execute it to the audience’s enjoyment. This dance was forceful and emotional and ended with Parcel back on the chair with the lights turned off. The audience was extremely satisfied with Parcel’s movements and accomplishments during this dance.

“It was so different than any other show I have seen,” said sophomore Mary DeRiso. “The solo dance was incredibly complex and I could not keep my eyes off of his swift movements.”

Much of the entertainment came from the musicians and the singers too. While the audience’s vision was transfixed on the talented dancers, the sound was inspiring their senses as well. The lighting on the stage emphasized the emotions and images that the dancers were trying to depict with their performances. The ending of the show with “Fiesta Flamenco” reinstated the color and vivacity of the culture of flamenco dancing and, specifically, The Ballet Flamenco by José Parcel.