Corazon Flamenco does well by its namesake in 'Blood Wedding'

By Michael Huebner

August 16, 2008, 10:02PM
 
Colorful, swirling dresses, pounding heels, vibrant guitar strumming and passionate singing announced Saturday that flamenco in Birmingham is here to stay.

Corazon Flamenco, the fledgling ensemble formed here last year by Irene Rimer, staged an ambitious production of Federico Garcia Lorca's passionate play, "Blood Wedding," set to mostly new choreography, spoken dialogue to move the plot along and live music led by Manolo Vargas' masterful vocals and guitar playing.

At times, the daunting challenge of weaving music, dance and theater into a coherent production of a 20th century masterpiece proved more than this mostly non-professional ensemble could handle, but they should be applauded for this taking on this brave venture.

The dancers represented their namesake's genre splendidly, at the same conveying some of Spain's most colorful classical and folk dances. Dense with dance numbers from solos to octets, the show reflected Rimer's disciplined coaching and her own extensive background. Six young children got into the act, nicely stepping and kicking in flamenco style in the wedding scene.

Understandably, the group still has some weaknesses. In large ensemble pieces, the synchronization of steps demanded by the kinetic flamenco rhythms often became a percussive jumble, and some of the drama fell victim to weak vocal projection. But the thrust of Garcia Lorca's plot about a bride who falls for a former lover on her wedding day, was clear and concise. As the bride, Rimer danced and acted brilliantly. She was swept away passionately by Leonardo, played convincingly by Carlos Lencina. Fine performances were turned in Julia Quijano and Victoria Langdon, whose dance skills melded nicely with their vivid face and body language.

Much of the play's message seemed lost on some of the audience at WorkPlay, whose untimely laughter often interrupted some dramatic moments and loud talking nearly drowned out Vargas' finest guitar solo. Corazon Flamenco is shaping up to be fine company, deserving of a more appropriate -- and less smoke-filled -- venue

 

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The Return Of Flamenco

By Laura Axelrod -- The Birmingham News

August 10, 2008, 4:59AM

Corazon Flamenco dance troupe debuts 'Blood Wedding' Saturday

News Staff/Mark Almond Swirling, colorful costumes and pulsating rhythms are the essence of flamenco, which will be on full display Saturday when the Birmingham troupe Corazon Flamenco presents Federico Garcia Lorca's "Blood Wedding" at WorkPlay. Cast members include, from left, Robert Adler, Irene Rimer, Julia Quijano, Carlos Lencina and Victoria Langdon.

In a hidden alley off Cobb Lane, the quaint, brick-paved path in Birmingham's Southside, thick heels pound in rhythm on a wood floor. Fingers snap and castanets click to the bold strumming of an acoustic guitar and an occasional ecstatic yelp. Flamenco, the multi-disciplinary art form from southern Spain believed to have originated with wandering Gypsies, has found a home -- again -- in Birmingham.

Irene Rimer, founder and director of the 15-member dance troupe, Corazon Flamenco, arrived in the Magic City a little more than a year ago to establish a studio -- Dance Essentials -- leaving behind 500 students in Miami. Settling here with her husband and children, Rimer brought an extensive resume and a chance to start a performing ensemble -- something that wasn't possible for her in Miami.


News Staff/Mark AlmondIrene Rimer rehearses for her upcoming performance in "Blood Wedding."

Details:
What: "Gypsy Night." Corazon Flamenco presents Federico Garcia Lorca's "Blood Wedding," followed by "Source of Fire," with the Belly Dance Jewels.
When: Saturday, 6 p.m. "Source of Fire" starts at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30. Call 380-4082 or go to www.workplay.com.
Where: Workplay. 500 23rd St. South.

"I could never do something like this," explained the petite dancer in a quick, staccato Spanish accent. "The culture is a little different. Even though there are more Hispanics in Miami, it's more geared toward Latin culture. To put together a company of people who are so committed to flamenco -- that's what's happening here."

Born in Venezuela, Rimer moved to Spain at an early age and quickly embraced the heritage of her mother and grandfather. With a firm grounding in classical ballet, at age 13 she became a solo touring dancer with Jose Serrano Classic Spanish Dance. One of her teachers, Maria Magdalena, gave her the stage name, "La Chata."

"It means someone with a cute nose," she said. "My dad is Israeli -- that's my Jewish nose, my family seal."

Rimer traveled extensively, performing and studying in Europe, Morocco, Venezuela and the United States before moving to Miami in 1985. In 1991, she earned a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, studying with Grand Master Jhoon Rhee.

Her father, a bullfighter associated with Cesar and Curro Giron, introduced her to flamenco at an early age.

"He's a flamenco aficionado," she said. "He was a matador, but he became an attorney after awhile because he got poked by one of the bulls. He's coming to the show. I was just in Spain and he booked the trip."

Garcia Lorca Classic

The show is "Blood Wedding," the 1932 tragedy by Federico Garcia Lorca. Based on a true story about a bride who is swept away on her wedding day by Leonardo, a former lover, the show combines dance, theater and music. Rimer has created the choreography and will portray the bride Saturday at WorkPlay. Manolo Vargas, a flamenco guitarist from Seville, Spain, will be a guest artist, and local actor and fledgling flamenco dancer Carlos Lencina, will play Leonardo. Todd Ponder portrays the bride's father.

Lencina, a financial analyst and native Spaniard who has acted in several plays in Birmingham, used to dance "fake" flamenco at social gatherings, but took it up seriously after meeting Rimer.

"When I saw Irene and her talent, I knew right away I couldn't fake it," Lencina said. "I started taking her classes and doing traditional flamenco steps."

Much of Lencina's movement -- and Rimer's ensemble choreography -- will incorporate Sevillanas, an Andalusian folk dance, as well as flamenco. But getting across the intense emotions of "Blood Wedding" requires more.

"We have 30 in the cast, including musicians," Rimer said. "We're doing paso doble and a couple of classic numbers, one with castanets, and, of course, flamenco. We're singing cantas as well. It won't be monotonous."

Flamenco isn't new to Birmingham. Laura Knox, who helped Rimer get established here, performed it with her company Hispanic Dance Ole! for 10 years in the 1980s and early '90s.

Rimer is filling a more recent gap left by Laura and Paco Garrigues, whose company, Sentir Flamenco, disbanded last year after eight years. For Rimer, it was a matter of being in the right place at the right time.

"It all just kind of fell into place," she said. "I think I was meant to do this. Culturally, this needed to happen in the city."
More than an art form, flamenco is a good outlet for dancers, Rimer says.

I'm so happy with the group that came," she said. "They felt like they were left, and they have come up to a different level. The people who have joined from the outside are amazing. Flamenco is very, very deep. In a world where people are under so much stress, it's a healthy and fulfilling way of expressing feelings. I have a lot of happy people here."

Michael Huebner covers fine arts and classical music for The Birmingham News. E-mail him at mhuebner@bhamnews.com. His blog is: blog.al.com/mhuebner.

 

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