(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- The Europium Dance Theater will present Spanish, Very Spanish at Hopewell Theater on January 25-26. This is a festive and interactive show that gives a 75-minute, glimpse into the dramatic soul and love that expresses the passions unique to Cuba, Argentina, Mexico and Spain. Through glorious live music, dance and theatrics, and a hint of fun poked at the perceived cultural cliché of the original art form, this performance explores the drama of Spanish culture through the fusion of “Tanztheater” styles (German expressionist dance theater) and authentic, Flamenco dancing.
Spanish, Very Spanish includes a cast of nine professional dancers from the region, who in the earlier part of the show, will encourage audience members to get up and dance in the cabaret-style theater. On stage, featured professional Flamenco dancer and teacher of twenty years, Lisa Botalico will be additionally surrounded by her ensemble dancers, playing traditional Flamenco guitar and percussion instruments, Botalico’s ensemble includes Catarina Carrasco, Jacquelyn Gesumaria, Aliya Khan (Cajón, Percussion), and Ivan Max (Guitar).
The show reaches its crescendo with a Tablao, a form of Flamenco traditionally performed in a café setting. Europium Dance Theater cast members from the region include: Jack Erikson, Linda Erickson (Artistic Director), Pamela Johnson, Paul Mirowsky, Zane Rankin, Anne Schwantes, Leland Schwantes, Stacie Scott, Joyce Vollmer.
Performances take place on Saturday, January 25 at 1:00pm and Sunday, January 26 at 1:00pm. Tiickets are $30 and available for purchase online.
Hopewell Theater is located at 5 South Greenwood Avenue in Hopewell, New Jersey. Hopewell Theater is equal parts indie arts venue and meeting place – a place where patrons can meet friends, and get inspired by an eclectic mix of entertainment by emerging and established talent in a setting that is welcoming, casual, intimate, and fun. At our 180 seat theater we feature independent films, live music, comedy and performances. With flexible seating options, from intimate banquette table seating to traditional fixed theater seats, as well as a balcony overlooking the stage, HT is a place where everyone can feel comfortable.
Based in New Hope, Pennsylvania and comprised of local professional and non-professional performers, Europium Dance theater brings the creative mix of avant-garde techniques known as Tanztheater which originated from the Expressionist era in Germany. Tanztheater features multiple segments of performance dance and improvisational acting revealing daily life as expressed through movement, dance and the theatrical process. The goal is not to preach, not to dictate or to teach a moral. The effort is to simply present moments in life and the human emotional response. Europium Dance theater presents works in film as well as live performances.
LINDA ERICKSON (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR) received her MFA in choreography from the University of North Carolina. She has worked with members of the New York City Ballet, Hartford Ballet, Dance Galaxy and the Performing Company of Ballet Classique among others. She previously co-founded The New York Dance Theater with Frank Ohman, The Touring Company of Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefous, and Dance Galaxy with Judith Fugate and Mehdi Bahiri. She is the founder and artistic director of Europium Dancetheater.
LISA BOTALICO is currently Assistant Director/Principal Dancer/Choreographer of Alborada Spanish DanceTheatre; toured the USA as Artistic Director/Principal Dancer of La Compañía Folklorica Latina for the National Theatre of the Performing Arts and shared the stage with flamenco greats including Jose Molina, Maria Alba, Manolo Rivera and Carmen Salao. She is the featured dancer on NJN’s Emmy Award winning program, The Spanish Guitar and her photo appeared in the exhibit 100 Years of Flamenco in NYC at the Library for the Performing Arts Lincoln Center. NJ performances include: NJPAC, New Brunswick PAC, Morristown Community Theatre, Crossroads Theatre and George Street Playhouse.
