918 BATHURST
Award-winning Seville flamenco dancer Isaac Tovar (Seville) leads a cast of international and Canadian artists in a performance that celebrates the hope and promise of spring, marked in Spain by the spectacular week-long party known as Feria. New York-based artists Laura Peralta (dance) and Bárbara Martínez (song) are joined by Canadian artists Alison MacDonald (dance), Shirlita “La Pili” (song), Nicolas Hernandez (guitar) and Benjamin Barille (guitar), as well as Madrid-based percussionist Nasrine Rahmani in a show that celebrates new connections and the rebirth that comes with this vibrant season.
ABOUT THE SHOW
Artists
Isaac Tovar
Dancer, Seville
Isaac Tovar is a celebrated international flamenco dancer and choreographer from Seville, Spain. He was a longtime soloist of the Ballet Nacional de España, Compañía Andaluza de Danza, Compañía Antonio "El Pipa", and Compañía Aída Gómez, among many other premier national and international companies including Flamenco en Route and Flamenco Vivo.
Laura Peralta
Dancer, New York
Laura Peralta is a flamenco dancer and native New Yorker with Afro-Dominican roots. She dances for companies including: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, Soledad Barrio y Noche Flamenca, A Palo Seco Flamenco, Nelida Tirado Flamenco, Pasión y Arte, Omayra Amaya Flamenco Dance Company, and Isaac Tovar Compañia Flamenca.
Bárbara Martínez
Singer, New York
Bárbara Martínez grew up performing in New York City. Originally from Venezuela, she is the grand-niece of iconic Argentine tango singer Libertad Lamarque. For more than 20 years she has worked as a singer and dancer with numerous flamenco dance companies and world music ensembles, and danced with the Metropolitan Opera, where she also sang as a child.
Nasrine Rahmani
Percussionist, Madrid
Born in Australia to a Mauritian mother and Iranian father, and after more than 20 years as a professional percussionist and 15 years residing in Madrid, Nasrine Rahmani has become the main reference for female Flamenco percussionists and is recognized for her delicate and tasteful accompaniment and surprising strength as a soloist.
Shirlita “La Pili” Pincay
Singer, Toronto
Singer, dancer and educator Shirley La Pili is known for her earthy, warm velvet voice which offers a heartfelt delivery in flamenco. She dove into music at a young age and entered into the world of flamenco at the age of 12. Over the years she has studied with many master singers including Rocio Márquez, Anna Colom, Sandra Carrasco and dancers Mercedes Ruiz and Karen Lugo to name a few.
Alison MacDonald
Dancer, Toronto
Alison is a dancer and choreographer who strives to present flamenco in modern formats while respecting the rich tradition of the artform. In 2011 she co-founded Triana Project, which performed at the 2013 International Flamenco Festivals in Toronto and Montreal. Their sold out performance of B-sides at the Harbourfront Studio Theatre in 2017 pushed the limits of flamenco tradition.
Nicolás Hernández
Guitarist, Toronto
With over 30 years of experience under his fingers, Nicolás’ style has evolved into a distinctive, modern “voice” in the flamenco genre. His debut CD “Buscando mi voz” won a Just Plain Folks Award for Best Flamenco Album in 2009 and his second CD “Rupakerías” was released in 2018.
Benjamin Barrile
Guitarist, Toronto
Rooted in the traditions of flamenco, guitarist Benjamin Barrile speaks through his instrument, expressing emotion without words. A remarkable soloist, Benjamin also excels as both accompanist and composer. His compositions are dynamic and progressive without straying too far from Spanish gypsy tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.
