Past Seasons
ÇIERTAS DANÇAS
The National Institute of Flamenco and the National Hispanic Cultural Center present Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company in Çiertas Danças, featuring invited artists Rafael Estévez and Valeriano Paños, and musical guests, singer Alicia Morales and guitarist Ángel Ruíz.
The concert’s title stems from an original work Estévez and Paños created for Yjastros, and the season features new choreographies and performance by Rafael Estévez and Valeriano Paños. Çiertas Danças showcases the depth of Artistic Director Joaquín Encinias and Yjastros’ artistic collaboration with creators at the global forefront of the art form and Estévez/Paños' thrilling artistic vision. Guest choreographers and dancers Rafael Estévez and Valeriano Paños, winners of the Spanish National Dance Prize for choreography, will present their work SILENCIOS. In addition to stunning dance from Yjastros and Estévez/Paños, audiences will delight in new music from Alicia Morales and Ángel Ruíz.
Yjastros is the flamenco company in residence in the University of New Mexico Dance Program. The Estévez/Paños residency is made possible in part with support from the Spain/USA Foundation.
Quem Quæritis? A Flamenco Drama
Quem Quæritis? A Flamenco Drama features Yjastros with Dallas's Orchestra of New Spain, an orchestral ensemble specializing in the early classical music of Spain and the Americas.
This new, original flamenco theatre work showcases another dimension of Yjastros through dance, music, and acting. Quem Quæritis? A Flamenco Drama draws inspiration from New Mexico's rich tradition of pastorelas, dramatizing the shepherd Bartolo's journey and ultimate triumph over doubt and adversity.
The Orchestra of New Spain's elegant interpretation of works by Santiago de Murcia and other composers complements this breathtaking display of flamenco dance and music by Albuquerque's own Yjastros.
Quem Quæritis? A Flamenco Drama features visionary flamenco and Spanish Dance choreography by Joaquín Encinias, Marco Flores, and other artists at the forefront of flamenco today.
A NUESTRO AIRE: A CELEBRATION of 20 YEARS
In November off 2019, the National Institute of Flamenco and the National Hispanic Cultural Center presented Yjastros 20th Anniversary Season. Yjastros will celebrate 20 years of awe-inspiring flamenco with performance of two world premiere choreographies, La Mirada También Baila by Mercedes Ruíz (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain) and Predomino by “La Popi” and reprise two of Artistic Director Joaquin Encinias’ most powerful, beloved works, Caravana de los Zincalí (2005) and A Nuestro Aire (2001).
Mr. Encinias shares these reflections on the art form and A Nuestro Aire: “I believe dance is a universal language. It identifies cultures in the same way spoken language does. However, dance is most readily transferred by using all of our senses, instincts, and spirit. Dance is a language we all speak, yet few recognize its power. A Nuestro Aire, a flagship choreography of Yjastros in its early years was my effort to explore the universality of flamenco while respecting traditions and sensibilities.”
Reconstructions of classic works by Encinias are staged alongside brand new works by guest choreographers – an artistic arrangement emblematic of the fabric and structure of Yjastros’ own unique journey as a company.
The RISE OF FLAMENCO
This stunning production featured internationally-acclaimed guest artists, dancers/choreographers Daniel Doña (Granada, Spain) and Cristian Martín (Ávila, Spain), and the Orchestra of New Spain (Dallas, Texas) under the direction of Grover Wilkins III, and musical compositions and arrangements by Calvin Hazen. Yjastros 34: The Rise of Flamenco traced the profound lineage of flamenco, beginning with early Spanish dance and music forms, such as fandangos, jácara, and toná, taking the audience on an artistic journey through the musical and gestural forms that become modern flamenco. Showcasing performance by Doña and Martín as well as their brilliant choreographic works, Suite Preflamenca and INGRAVITTO, The Rise of Flamenco brought audiences the full depth and beauty of early music and movement and its transformation into the powerful art of flamenco.