CORAZON FLAMENCO

To book us please call (205) 933-8922 or email irenerimer@yahoo.com

Irene Rimer "La Chata," Carlos Lencina, Janet Rooney, Victoria Langdon, Julia Quijano, Mary Jo Misra, Leticia Creasey, Ilene Brill, Katherine Harper, Kathleen Berecek, Daniel Sanabria, & Robert Adler.  Guitar & Cante: Manolo Vargas, Guitarists Tony Arnold and Roberto Verdi.  Cajon: Jay Burnham

  "Flamenco Blood Wedding"

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Corazon Flamenco Members

IRENE RIMER, "La Chata" (stage name given her by Maria Magdalena) started dancing at the age of 6 after her father, an attorney, and also a "matador" (bull-fighter) and Flamenco aficionado, took her to see the Ballet of Spain of Antonio Gades. Irene studied Ballet with Nina Novak, prima Ballerina of Ballet of Montecarlo. At the age of 13, Irene became the soloist dancer of the Jose Serrano Classic Spanish ballet touring several countries with the company. She also performed in Operas with famous soprano singers Victoria Vergara in "Carmen" and Catherine Malfitano in "La Traviata."

In Spain, Irene studied with La Tati, Maria Magdalena, Paco Fernandez, Ciro, Jose Granados, Xavier de la Vega, and other legendary artists in Amor de Dios studios in Madrid. She danced professionally at theaters and "tablaos flamencos" and experienced the "gypsy" living of the streets of Spain. Irene lived in Sevilla for a long time and often travelled to Morocco to study Mideaster dance styles. She has performed with "the best" artists such as El Nano de Jerez, La Tati, La China, Miguel Hernandez "El Pata Negra," La Morita, Juan Maya (Marote,) Antonio Heredia, El Chino de Malaga. She also had the privilege of meeting the best cantaor that ever lived, Jose Monje Cruz (Camaron.) Another privilege was getting to know and sharing Flamenco with one of the greatest guitarists in the world, el Nino Miguel de Huelva. Irene performed at the famous "Los Gallos" and at Ferias in Seville, Jerez de la Frontera, and Cadiz with El Nano de Jerez and Paco del Puerto. In 1985, Irene moved to Miami permanently and performed regularly with La Tati, Paco del Puerto, Cacharrito de Malaga, Pepe de Malaga, Estrella Morena, Leo Heredia and other artists. In May of 1998, Irene opened her dance studio in Miami, and formed professional dance troupes. Her studio focused on quality teaching and produced numerous performances where students had opportunities of performing with experienced artists.

In 2005, Irene left her well-established studio to her mother to managed, and re-located to the Birmingham area with her family. She now teaches at her studio at Cobb Lane. Irene is known to be one of the best Flamenco & Egyptian Belly Dance instructors in the US; In Belly dance, she's had the honor of performing in shows with Tamallyn Dallal, Virginia, Badia, Beata & Horacio Cifuentes, Jillina and other beautiful dancers. .Among other accomplishments Irene has a graduate degree in Accounting, Realtor Licenses in Alabama and Florida, and was given a "Black Belt" in Karate by Grand Master John Rhee in 1991.

 Manolo Vargas was born and raised in Sevilla, Spain at a time when flamenco was pure and a part of the popular culture. Manolo Vargas worked with legendary artists such as Matilde Corral playing in Tablaos in Sevilla such as El Arenal, Los Gallos, and La Trocha. He accompanied artists like Remedios Amayas, La Macarena and Paco Taranto, Juanito Villar, Antonio Savedra, El Rubio and La Tati.  In the United States he worked in clubs and theatres in Miami and Santa Fe where he worked with artists like Cacharito de Malaga, Paco Fonta, La Petrolio, La Salvadora, Jose Molina, Naranjito, Paco Del Puerto, La Irene “La chata,” La Tolea and La Estefania. Now Manolo is performing in California and giving private Flamenco lessons and workshops for guitarists, singers, and dancers.  He continues to produce flamenco guitar Cds and instructional videos.

  Carlos Lencina is a native of Spain. His first experience in the US goes back to 1989 as a High School international exchange student. He holds degrees in electrical and industrial engineering, and business administration. Just recently his schedule allowed him to get back in touch with the world of arts, appearing on the cover of the book Exit 134 and participating as Palomo in the dramatic reading of the 2003 Pulitzer Award Winner Anna in the Tropics held at the Birmingham Festival Theater. He was Bernardo in West Side Story at the LJCC and Pablo in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Virginia Samford Theatre. Carlos' last appearance was in Evita also at the Virginia Samford Theatre.  Carlos started dancing Flamenco with Irene Rimer as he was preparing himself to play Leonardo in "Flamenco Blood Wedding" choreographed by Irene Rimer and presented at WorkPlay August 16th, 2008

Robert Adler fell in love with Flamenco during his year of study at the University of Seville, Spain. His Flamenco dance experience began with a 1985 Sevillanas workshop out of which Birmingham's first Flamenco Company, Hispanic Dance Ole, was formed. Robert also participated in this company's evolution into the Birmingham Hispanic Dance Company. Now he is anxious and proud to be part of Corazon Flamenco. Since 1985 he has studied with important professional dancers like Mariano Parra, Libby Komaiko, Jose de Udaeta. Robert is sure the energy and experience of Irene Rimer will take him and the other members of Corazon Flamenco down the path of real Flamenco passion.

Mary Jo Misra trained in classical ballet at Ballets de San Juan, Puerto Rico. In Alabama, Ms. Misra has worked as dance faculty at the Alabama School of Fine Arts and was owner and artistic director of Danzante. She holds an M.S degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Samford University. She is a proud member of Corazon Flamenco and dance faculty at Irene Rimer's International School of Dance.

Victoria Langdon was Artistic Director of the Birmingham Hispanic Dance Company (BHDC), She studied under Mary Day, Mary Foshee, Laura Knox, Mariano Parra, Luis Montero, Ciro, Libby Komaiko Fleming, La Tati, Manolo Rivera, Antonio Canales, Jose de Udaeta, Andrea del Conte, Patri Nader, and the late Roberto Lorca. She is also a Registered Respiratory Nurse.

Julia Quijano Former Member of the Birmingham Hispanic Dance Company, studied ballet and tap as a child; Her dance training began in earnest with Hispanic Dance Ole. Julia has studied with Mariano Parra; Jose Greco II, La Tati, Timo de Lozano, Carmela Greco, Paco del Puerto, La Tania of Mendocino, Andres Marin, and Martha SidAhmed. Julia also performs Argentine tango with Tango Elegante.

Katherine Harper has studied many dance forms including ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and ballroom before focusing on Spanish dance in 1997. Katherine began her training with Janet Rooney and has since studied from Dame Libby Komaiko, Marianno Parra, Teo Morca, Antonio Hidalgo, Marija Temo, Laura Knox, Martha Sidahmed, Ulrika Frank, Laura Garrigues, and Irene Rimer. Katherine was born and raised in Alabama and received her BS in Psychology from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Katherine and her husband Ray have one daughter.

Ilene Brill was a member of BHDC and studied under Laura Knox, Mariano Parra, Victoria Langdon and Martha Sidahmed and attended workshops with members of Maria Benitez's company, Lydia Torrea, Luis Montero, Ciro, Paco Del Puerto and Theresa Cullen. Most recently she has studied flamenco in Birmingham with Laura Garrigues. Ilene is most grateful to the memory of Melanie Mihalik for her ballet training and for Melanie's past support of all her dance endeavors. She also thanks her former local modern dance teachers Edie Barnes, Mary Foshee and later Teri Weksler. Ilene continues to study ballet with Tara Fasshauer and Argentine Tango with Sara Alvarez and Roswell Pfister.

Roberto Verdi's first exposure to Flamenco was at the age of 14 when he heard his visiting troubadour brother playing guitar. Four years later, while attending a Jose Greco concert, he developed a true passion for the music. The next day, with no musical experience, he began his studies with a cheap guitar and a simple instruction booklet, playing several hours every day. A year later he moved to California and studied with Fiederico Mejia, and later performed as a solo guitarist.In Birmingham, he worked with the BHDC. In May of 2006, he joined Irene Rimer's Corazon Flamenco.

Janet Rooney studied ballet and modern dance with Laura Knox and Mary Foshee. She was a founding member of Hispanic Dance Ole and Birmingham Hispanic Dance Company. Laura Knox and Mariano Parra were her principal teachers of Flamenco and Baile Clasico. Marta SidAhmed has also been a beloved teacher and mentor.

Kathleen Berecek has had a lifetime passion for and commitment to dance (tap, ballet, folk, jazz, character, modern and flamenco). A founding and former member of BHDC, Kathleen studied Flamenco with Laura Knox, Jose de Udaeta, Mercedes y Albano, Pacita Tomas, Patri Nader, Mariano Parra, Martha Sidahmed, Laura Garrigues and Irene Rimer. She is also Professor of Physiology and Biophysics at UAB.

Julia Navakas Stork performed folk dances of her native Lithuania, She became "Miss Julie of Romper Room" at WKAB-TV in Montgomery, Alabama, where she saw her first professional flamenco show. She traveled to Spain to experience dancers on their home turf. She teaches psychology and business to students at JSCC, volunteers as a docent at the Birmingham Museum of Art, and indulges in her love of flamenco. Julie has studied with Laura Knox, Laura Garrigues and other instructors.

Leticia Creasy and her family have made their home in Birmingham since 2001. She is originally from Texas. Her love for dance began in 1973 when she danced with the Rio Grande Valley Ballet Company under the instruction of Doria Avila and Jose Greco. In the Summer of 1984, she studied with the Bill Martin Vicount Dance Company in Fort Worth. At the University of Texas, she studied ballet while earning her pharmacy degree.

Watch Corazon Flamenco in YouTube, click the picture below:

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      http://blog.al.com/mhuebner/2008/08/corazon_flamenco_does_well_by.html

The Return Of Flamenco

Posted by Michael Huebner -- Birmingham News August 10, 2008 4:59 AM

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 Almond

Irene Rimer rehearses for her upcoming performance in "Blood Wedding."

 

 "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 Sevillana, 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."

 Blood Wedding pictures click here

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Corazon Flamenco presents Flamenco Blood Wedding

              

 * Irene Rimer "La Chata" as The Bride  * Carlos Lencina as Leonardo  * Todd Ponder as The Father of the Bride 

Based on a true story of love, lust, and betrayal, Blood Wedding is one of the most powerful and innovative plays written this century. Federico Garcia Lorca wrote his best known play years after reading a newspaper account of a young bride in Andalusia who abandoned her husband-to-be on their wedding day to escape with her childhood sweetheart. Lorca evokes the spectacle of human passion through sophisticated and often surrealistic poetic technique, elevating the love story to a tragedy of fate.  Irene Rimer (The Bride) & Corazon Flamenco will “tell” the story through acting & dance!

Original Cast:  Click Here!

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