FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/14/2022)
Contact: Karin Venegas, karin@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-7049
After Two-Year Wait, A PALO SECO To Bring Family-Friendly Flamenco to Flushing Town Hall on May 14
“Awesomely fiery.” - The New York Times
– Tickets now on sale at www.flushingtownhall.org –
A Palo Seco, credit: Angelica Escoto
(Flushing, N.Y.) — Good things come to those who wait! On Saturday, May 14, 2022, after a more than two-year postponement due to the COVID pandemic, the popular A Palo Seco will finally take the stage at Flushing Town Hall with a family-friendly flamenco production full of vibrant dance, live music, and emotion.
The afternoon event begins with an interactive dance workshop for audience members at 1:00PM, when A Palo Seco’s Artistic Director Rebeca Tomás will introduce the basic techniques and sounds of flamenco music, dance, and general body and rhythmic awareness, to be followed by a lively, not-to-be missed performance at 2:15PM.
Specifically, the workshop introduces participants to zapateo (footwork), braceo (armwork), and palmas (rhythmic hand-clapping). Families with children of all ages will discover how to play castanets before the session culminates with a dance combination that ends with an energetic “Olé!”
Following the workshop audiences will enjoy a high-energy performance of music and dance that intermixes explanations and interactive exercises for the audience to learn more about the history and geography of Southern Spain.
“I am thrilled to be sharing my passion for Flamenco with the diverse population of Queens at Flushing Town Hall, presenting and teaching the intricacies of the rhythm, music, and dance from Southern Spain to audiences of all ages," says A Palo Seco’s Rebeca Tomás.
“A Palo Seco” is a phrase that refers to a bare-bones style of flamenco music, often consisting of singing or percussion alone. This stripped-down aesthetic has become a central theme in the choreography, characterizing Tomás’ biggest departures from tradition, while also rooting her work in the emotional rawness that lies at the heart of the art of flamenco.
New York-based flamenco company A Palo Seco strives to develop a unique voice, employing their flamenco expertise, while also taking into account the context in which they live. Their work aims to expose people to an innovative way of looking at flamenco, combining traditional techniques with a modern, metropolitan flare. Run by artistic director and choreographer, Rebeca Tomás, the company debuted its first production in May 2010 at Theatre 80 St. Marks in New York City.
Tomás has been described as “awesomely fiery” by The New York Times and as “a postcard image of the feminine Flamenco dancer” by Kansas City Metropolis. She toured for years with such companies as Noche Flamenca and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana before founding A Palo Seco Flamenco Company in 2010.
For her choreographic work, Tomás has received support from Arts Westchester, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, the Jerome Foundation, Connecticut Office of the Arts, and was awarded a fellowship in choreography by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in 2013 and 2019. Tomás, and company have performed throughout the U.S. at venues such as Central Park Summer Stage, (le) Poisson Rouge, Jacob’s Pillow, the Chicago Flamenco Festival, Eastman School of Music’s World Music Series, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund at the Pocantico Center, and in the New Victory Theater’s “Victory Dance Festival” in July 2018.
You can catch a sample of A Palo Seco’s colorful and vibrant work here.
In-person tickets to the performance are $12 ($8 for Members & Children). The show will also be livestreamed for virtual audiences for free. In-person tickets to the pre-show workshop are $5 ($3 for Members & Children).
Tickets can be purchased at www.flushingtownhall.org or by calling (718) 463-7700 x222.
For the venue’s full schedule of events, visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/events
COVID Policy:
Although as of March 7, 2022, New York City has relaxed its COVID policies for indoor arts and entertainment events, Flushing Town Hall will maintain its prior policy for the safety of its audiences, artists, and staff. This policy will remain in effect until further notice: Flushing Town Hall requires all visitors, performers, and staff to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 with matching identification. Additionally, masks will be required at all times. For more details on Flushing Town Hall’s Covid-safety measures and vaccine requirements, please visit: https://www.flushingtownhall.org/covid-safety.
Support Global Arts with a Gift Today!
All gifts of $50 or more give you exclusive Flushing Town Hall Circle of Friends membership benefits including a Smithsonian membership, ticket discounts, and more! Donations in any amount are appreciated to support the artists and the nonprofit cultural organization as they continue to provide programming and entertainment across New York and the world.
https://www.flushingtownhall.org/circle-of-friends
Flushing Town Hall is a not for profit organization and receives major support in its 2021-2022 Fiscal Year from the National Endowment for the Arts; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim; The City of New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio (2021) and Mayor Eric Adams (2022); New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Commissioner Gonzalo Casals; Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; The New York City Council, Speaker Corey Johnson; Council Members Costa Constantinides, Daniel Dromm, Barry Grodenchik, Peter Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Paul A. Vallone, Jimmy Van Bramer; Howard Gilman Foundation, Booth Ferris Foundation, Guru Krupa Foundation, Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
To view current donor lists, please visit www.flushingtownhall.org/donor-listings
About Flushing Town Hall
Flushing Town Hall (FTH), a Smithsonian affiliate, presents multi-disciplinary global arts that engage and educate the global communities of Queens and New York City in order to foster mutual appreciation. As advocates of arts equity since 1979, we support local, immigrant, national, and international artists, developing partnerships and collaborations that enhance our efforts. As a member of New York City’s Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), we serve to restore, manage and program the historic 1862 landmark on behalf of the City of New York. FTH celebrates the history of Queens as the home of Jazz, by presenting the finest in Jazz performance. We are committed to arts education and hands-on learning, for the arts-curious, arts enthusiasts, and professional artists. We serve one of the most diverse communities in the world and strive to uphold the legacy of inclusiveness that has defined our community since the Flushing Remonstrance of 1657.
Flushing Town Hall is a proud member of the Cultural Institutions Group (CIG), a collective of 34 nonprofit museums, performing arts centers, historical societies, zoos, and botanical gardens across all five boroughs with a distinct private-public partnership with the City of New York and a commitment to serving all New Yorkers.
Land Acknowledgement:
Flushing Town Hall acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Matinecock People, one of the original tribes of New York, and the first people of Flushing, Queens. The Matinecock continue to live and work on this land to this day. Flushing Town Hall honors their elders who have stewarded this land throughout generations.
For more information:
www.flushingtownhall.org
(718) 463-7700 x222
137-35 Northern Blvd. Flushing, NY 11354