International flair: Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque showcases guest performers from Spain

Flamenco is alive and well in the Land of Enchantment.

Organizations such as the National Institute of Flamenco makes sure it stays that way by bringing guest performers from Spain, as part of a residency program, to share their talents with audiences and flamenco students.

International flair: Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque showcases guest performers from Spain

“The National Institute of Flamenco has been around for a long time,” said Thaïs Coy, marketing and communications manager for the National Institute of Flamenco and Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque. “The Encinias family are the ones who run it. (The organization) partners with different artists because they want to make sure that they are making more accessible the art of flamenco. They also have a flamenco festival that happens during the summer, so they have established a lot of connections.

“They’re really well known in the flamenco community back there in Spain. They also have partnerships with Spain’s arts and culture department too. Through a lot of years of work and connections, they are able to reach out to these artists and make it work.”

The National Institute of Flamenco partners with the University of New Mexico for the residency program. UNM began a flamenco concentration of study in 1990 and began a guest artist, guest professor program in 2012, where expert flamenco dancers and choreographers teach UNM students, according to Coy.

“They also partner with Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company that is also the UNM residency dance company,” Coy said. “The artists that come here in residency dance at Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque that is inside Hotel Albuquerque (at Old Town). So it’s just a great opportunity to see renowned artists from Spain right here in Albuquerque.”

This fall, Tablao Flamenco welcomes renowned flamenco dancer Ricardo Moro and celebrated flamenco guitarist Ángel Ruíz, who began his journey at the age of 12 under the guidance of Philippe Donnier and “Merengue de Córdoba.”

By age 18, Ruíz was performing professionally at the prestigious tablao, El Cardenal in Córdoba. He has performed in the United States, France and Italy, and has collaborated with luminaries such as Antonio Gades and Javier Latorre. His experiences also include directing the acclaimed show “Destiempo” and serving as musical director at the Tablao Flamenco de la 21 in Panama.

Through Coy serving as a translator, Moro said he was drawn to flamenco dance at age 4, after seeing well-known flamenco dancer Belén López on television. Moro said he was captivated by López and told his mother that he wanted to dance professionally. At age 17, he was dancing professionally and the first person he worked with was remarkably López.

Moro, who is now 35 years old, has performed all over the world, including the Middle East, Mexico, Japan and parts of Europe. He has worked with prominent names in the global Flamenco community including Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía, directed by Estevez y Paños, as well as with Rafaela Carrasco’s flamenco company.

It is his first time performing in Albuquerque. Moro will be performing as part of Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque, as well as teaching flamenco at UNM and choreographing for Yjastros.

“He’s really excited and happy to be here,” Coy said. “He was just teaching at UNM before (this interview) and he was saying how people that have been dancing with him the last couple of days that he’s been here are very passionate about the dancing and they are pouring a lot into it. And, they are very grateful for his presence here and the presence of other artists in the community.”

Audiences can see a live performance by Moro during Tablao Flamenco Albuquerque performances held Friday through Sunday at Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW. He will be performing September through December most weekends. The public can reserve their spot and see when Moro will be performing by visiting tablaoflamenco.org and clicking the “Reservations” tab. Dinner shows on Friday and Saturday include a prix fixe dinner. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for 7 p.m. dinner service, with the performance beginning at 8 p.m. Ages younger than 21 are allowed with a parent or guardian. Sunday matinee shows are open to all ages.