Flamenco at ACV: An Intense Experience

Advent Christian Village’s 30th anniversary Live! at Dowling Park Artist Series kickoff event will be Monday, Sept. 4. It will be an exciting one: a night of flamenco dance and Spanish guitar performed by Esther Suarez and José Moreno. Described as “intense” by José himself, flamenco is an incredibly expressive form of dance where the dancer uses their whole body — feet, arms, torso and even face — to tell a story, be it entertaining, romantic or comforting.

Esther and José have been married since 1992. They met while on tour together. Both have been performing — José playing Spanish guitar and singing, and Esther dancing — for over 50 years. The couple resides in Tampa and runs Victor and Esther Moreno’s Academy of Dance and Music, but still spends much time touring each year. They have performed all over the United States, as well as in many other countries, such as Canada, Taiwan and Spain, performing in theaters, hotels, nightclubs, and other venues.

Flamenco is a Spanish art form made up of three parts: guitar playing (guitarra), song (cante), and dance (baile). Flamenco originated in the southern regions of Spain, but it’s thought to be influenced by many world cultures, including Latin American, Cuban, and Jewish traditions. Comparatively, flamenco is a young art form, with only an 150–170-year-old history.

Originally flamenco dancing was not set to music; it was only singing and clapping of hands. Some flamenco dancing still follows ancient tradition, but the use of guitars and other musical instruments has become more popular in modern flamenco.

The performance at ACV on Sept. 4 will consist primarily of the three elements: guitar, song and dance. However, the audience will also be entertained by some solo songs as well. When Esther dances, she is a feast for the eyes, utilizing castanets (small percussion handheld instruments), footwork, arm movements, and body language.

Come at 6:00 to Rumph Dining Room at Advent Christian Village on Monday, Sept. 4. A Spanish-theme dessert and beverage will be served from 6:00–7:00, and the performance will begin at 7:00. The cost for dessert and show is $17 for adults (ACV members and staff receive a discount), $7 for students, and no charge for children not yet in school. Visit Artist Series or call (386) 658-5557 for more details. Tickets are available from the Village cashier (386-658-5343) and in Live Oak, Florida, at both the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce and The Music Center. Season tickets are also available.