The Mercedes Amaya Company’s electrifying performance of Templanza lit up the stage of the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival on September 17 and was met with resounding cheers of “olé” and “bravo,” and a unanimous standing ovation from the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre audience.
Flamenco is a dance that originated from the Spanish region of Andalucía and consists of singing, guitar, sometimes percussion and dancers that rhythmically stomp their feet and clap their hands. In 2010, flamenco was designated by the UN as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.
Founded by 2016 Lola Award winner, Rosario Ancer — who is credited for bringing flamenco to Vancouver — the Flamenco Festival, which began as a one evening event, has now grown to span 10 days. On the penultimate night, Ancer’s Vancouver-based company, Flamenco Rosario, opened for the Mercedes Amaya Company with three different performances that highlighted Ancer’s aspiration to “express the pure joy” of flamenco.
While the seven dancers involved in the work Flamenqueando gave a delightful performance, they could not compare to this year’s main event, Templanza, as presented by the Mercedes Amaya Company, featuring the acclaimed Mercedes “La Winy” Amaya herself. The company brought gypsy flamenco — a traditional style of flamenco characterized by gravelly vocals — to the stage for the first time at the festival. In contrast to Flamenqueando’s lighthearted nature, Templanza held great personal importance to Amaya — the piece reflected her journey through different expressions of flamenco and as such, was a more varied and expressively cohesive performance.
In an inspiring performance, singer Jose Diaz engaged with both dancers, Amaya and choreographer Nacho Blanco, to create a unique narrative for parts of the performance. Diaz’s emotive singing and clapping was often accompanied by expressive gesticulation that contrasted guitarist Santiago Anguilar’s great tranquility. The musicians displayed their incredible musical talent in solos that showcased both Diaz’s voice and Anguilar’s stunning technique.
Meanwhile, Blanco inspired the audience with his amazingly fast, intricate footwork and unbelievable finesse. His single slip did little to detract from his performance and the audience encouraged him loudly throughout his dances. Amaya displayed great passion and cheek as she winked at the audience, blew kisses and played with her hair, all while delivering a spirited and frenetic execution of flamenco at its finest.
Something often missing from large performances is the intimacy that flamenco traditionally offers. But this was accounted for, as Amaya spoke into Diaz’s headset to thank everyone “from [her] heart.” Amaya then pulled Rosario Ancer to the stage for the grand finale, where the surprised Ancer danced in her sandals, accompanied by a final improvisation from the group. After saying their goodbyes, the group danced joyously off the stage together, truly embodying the spirit of flamenco.
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