By Gina Martinez
Flamenco has come to Queens.
Sunnyside’s Thalia Theatre’s production of “Flamenco amalgama,” which started on April 24, is running through May 10.
Flamenco, which originated in the Andalusia region of Spain, is a form of folk music with dance. It takes a wide variety of forms, and can include dancing, singing and guitar playing.
Throughout the years, flamenco has developed many different styles, but each one makes use of passionate dance moves, along with the expressive clapping and stomping of the dancers’ feet.
“Amalgama means coming together and that’s why we picked the name for the show, because it’s a coming together of cultures,” William Lopera, Thalia’s administrative director, said. “Flamenco is an art form popular all over the world. We recently just learned that there are more flamenco schools in Japan than there are in Spain, which is amazing.”
Students from the Andrea Del Conte Danza Espana dance company will perform in the show.
Lopera said this show will include all the elements of flamenco, including live instruments, song and dance.
“This show is very organic,” Lopera said. “Audiences can expect fiery, passionate performances. It’s so full of energy and throughout the show it maintains so much excitement and adrenaline.”
Thalia Spanish Theatre has the distinction of being the only bilingual Hispanic theater in the borough.
While the theater is located in a predominately Spanish-speaking neighborhood and many of its productions originate in Spain, show runners want to make sure audiences are made up of people from different cultures.
“We want a wide variety of people coming to our show,” Lopera said. “This is a big Hispanic community, but we do our best to be accessible to all audiences.”
The show hopes to celebrate a popular dance and like its name, amalgama, bring together people from everywhere
“Flamenco amalgama will show the beauty of flamenco in all parts of the world.” Lopera said.
If you Go
“Flamenco amalgama”
When: Through May 10
Where: Thalia Hispanic Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside
Cost: $40/general admission, $37/students and seniors
Contact: (718) 729-3880
Website: www.thali
