Ensemble Espanol's Popular "Flamenco Passion" Performances Return to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, June 19 & 20

Ensemble Español’s popular “Flamenco Passion” live dance and music performances return to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, June 19 & 20, as part of the 39th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, showcasing the elegance and passion of Spain’s dance, music and culture (June 10-28).

Works will include world premieres by guest artists José Greco, II, Raquel Gomez and Ensemble Español Principal Dancers Claudia Pizarro and José Torres; a Chicago premiere by guest artists Carmela Greco and José Greco II; plus popular works from Ensemble Español’s repertoire including Ensemble Español Founder and Artistic Director Dame Libby Komaiko’s masterwork “Tiempos de Goya” and the company’s Associate Artistic Director Irma Suárez Ruiz’s Flamenco suite, “No Me Olvides” (“Do Not Forget Me”).

“Ensemble Español is thrilled that world-renowned Flamenco dancer José Greco II will be joining us along his sister, Carmela Greco, a longtime friend of the company and an annual favorite at the festival,” says Dame Libby. “Fierce and fiery dance careers run in the family for these talented artists’ whose father, the international Flamenco legend José Greco, first brought Spanish dance styles to the U.S. in the mid-20th Century.”

The passion for Spanish dance and music is shared by guest artist Raquel Gomez, former principal of the National Ballet of Spain; an impressive roster of singers and musicians including Flamenco singer Manuel Palacin (Madrid), Flamenco guitarist Antonio Gabarri Jimenez, (Madrid), Venezuelan-born percussionist Javier Saume-Mazzei, and Flamenco guitarist David Chiriboga (Equador) as well as every member of Ensemble Español. As a result, this year’s “Flamenco Passion” performances are an exciting prelude to Ensemble Español’s upcoming landmark 40th anniversary year that begins July 1.

“Flamenco Passion” performances are Friday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday June 20 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26-$46. Free parking is available. For tickets, call 847.673.6300 or visit northshorecenter.org.

For more information about Ensemble Español and the 39th American Spanish Dance & Music Festival, visit ensembleespanol.org.