ARTS

SPOTLIGHT: Carmen Romero

The Rise of Flamenco Dance in the Toronto Entertainment Scene

A photo shoot with Carmen Romero at her studio on Adelaide Street West and John Street in downtown Toronto.

By: Rebecca Raveendran he saying it takes a village to raise a child, can be applied to the birth of Flamenco dance. This art form was born in Spain and has grown into an elegant and intricate dance with characteristics from an array of cultures. Carmen Romero is the director of Carmen Romero School of Flamenco Dance Arts. Being an artist of Flamenco for more than 37 years, Carmen states that many different cultures had

a hand in the creation of what Flamenco dance is today. Flamenco is a multicultural art form. It is a combination of different cultures and I think thats why we can come together more easily. It speaks to different people, Romero said. She explains the different features certain cultures brought to Flamenco dance and music. In the singing there is Jewish cantor and Arabic quartertone slides. There is the African percussive end to it, as well as the Latin American song and

musicality coming into it. There is lyrical movement from contemporary; classical movement from classical dance and Indian and Arabic dance in the hand gestures. Recalling the history of Flamenco, it did indeed originate from Spain. But the people who were in those regions were from many different countries. It is a curious mixture of different cultures, she said. Then why is it that many people arent familiar with this dance, including a majority of the Latin community in Toronto?

PAGINA p.aji.na 14 catorce (cat.or.say)

Did You Know? Spain is a constitutional monarchy, the king and the elected president share the power.