Ole! Victoria Flamenco Festival brings dance, music and song to Centennial Square

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WATCH: Get ready to stomp your feet and clap your hands at the 5th Annual Victoria Flamenco Festival. Ceilidh Millar reports. 

The music is fast, the dancing is daring and the energy is infectious at the Alma de Espana Flamenco Studios in Victoria.

“Flamenco is basically an art form that takes in life,” said studio co-founder Veronica Maguire.

Flamenco is a wondrous union of Southern Spain’s spirited culture and traditions through song, music and dance.

The art form will soon take the spotlight at the city’s upcoming Flamenco Festival.

“You will be guaranteed to be inspired and moved if you come to one of our shows” explained festival coordinator Jan Bate.

For seven days, the festival will bring dozens of colourful performances to Centennial Square.

 

“We have 20 shows lined up for next week and many of them are free” said Bate.

Maguire, who is the artistic director for the festival, is credited with bringing the art form to life in Victoria when she opened her studio nearly three decades ago.

“Flamenco is something to be shared,” explained Maguire. “It’s not just for one person. Before we knew it, we had quite a community of dancers, singers and guitarists.”

Maguire’s son, Gareth Owens, will bring his guitar melodies to Hermann’s Jazz Club on Friday, July 28 for Flamenco Guitar Night.

“Also performing that night are local guitarists Jake Lee, Juan de Marias and Esteban Figueroa, plus a cameo from Calgary protégé Harry Knight” said Bate.

Get ready to clap your hands and stomp your feet because you’ll want to join in!

“What makes Flamenco so wonderful is the whole quadro of music, dance, percussion and song working together” explained Maguire.

This year’s festival runs from July 24 to 30.

For more information and a full schedule, visit Victoria Flamenco Festival. 

Ceilidh MillarCeilidh Millar

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