New York's annual celebration of Flamenco!

World Music Institute & Flamenco Festival Inc. present

NEW YORK FLAMENCO FESTIVAL 2008

New York's annual flamenco celebration, now in its eighth year, features
dancers, vocalists and guitarists direct from Spain in a mesmerizing display
ranging from flamenco puro to innovative new works. This year's festival
includes artists who were highlights from previous years: celebrated dancers
Merche Esmeralda, Eva Yerbabuena, and Rocío Molina; vocal giants Carmen
Linares and Miguel Poveda; guitar maestros Tomatito and Juan Carlos Romero;
and the captivating Latin Grammy-nominated group Son de la Frontera. New to
the festival are two rising stars - vocalist Diana Navarro and dancer Pastora
Galván in her New York debut - and the superb dancer Belén Maya. The festival
includes for the first time the participation of Mario Maya, who will be
directing the gala program, Mujeres. The New York Flamenco Festival 2008
is dedicated to the vitality of the flamenco arts of Andalucia, the birthplace of flamenco.




Fri. Feb. 8, 8:00 PM
CARMEN LINARES * MIGUEL POVEDA * JUAN CARLOS ROMERO * PASTORA GALVÁN
Program: Cuatro Esquinas (Four Corners)
Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd Street, NYC
$55, $45, $35 Box office (212) 840-2824 Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100

Feb 8 - Carmen Linares, Miguel Poveda, Juan Carlos Romero & Pastora Galván
Two of flamenco's leading singers, Carmen Linares and Miguel Poveda, share the
stage in a virtuosic vocal display ranging from the Gypsy roots of flamenco to
contemporary innovations. Linares, one of the great names in flamenco, has
been celebrated worldwide for over 30 years for her exquisite style; Latin
Grammy nominee Miguel Poveda has become an important figure in the new
generation of flamenco vocalists. In their new show, Cuatro Esquinas, they
will joined by the remarkable guitarist Juan Carlos Romero and Pastora
Galván, a commanding young dancer in her NY debut.



Sat. Feb 9, 8:00 PM
TOMATITO
Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd Street, NYC
$55, $45, $35 Box office (212) 840-2824 Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100

Feb 9 - Tomatito
The dazzling Gypsy guitarist Tomatito is noted for his mastery of the compás
and his elegant style. In his teens, he began a long partnership with
singer Camaron de la Isla, which lasted until Camaron's death in 1992. Since
then he has become one of flamenco's most highly regarded solo guitarists and
received several Latin Grammy Awards. In this performance, he will be joined
by his ensemble, which features El Cristi (guitar), Lucky Losada (percussion),
La Tana (vocal), and the dynamic Gypsy dancer José Maya.

"One of the greatest living flamenco guitarists"
~~~ New York Times



Fri. Feb. 15, 7:30 PM
GALA FLAMENCA: MERCHE ESMERALDA * BELÉN MAYA * ROCÍO MOLINA
Special guest DIANA NAVARRO. Directed by MARIO MAYA
Program: Mujeres (Women)
New York City Center, W. 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, NYC
$85, $75, $45, $30 Special $200 tickets include reception with artists
(212) 545-7536 for gala details CityTix® (212) 581-1212 nycitycenter.org

Feb 15 - Gala Flamenca: Merche Esmeralda, Rocí­o Molina, Belén Maya &
special guest Diana Navarro. Directed by Mario Maya
This all-star gala, featuring three generations of dancers, is dedicated to
the women of flamenco. The program, entitled Mujeres, is comprised of the
legendary Merche Esmeralda, noted for her mesmerizing performances for the
National Ballet of Spain and her work as founder and director of the renowned
Ballet de la Region de Murcia; the innovative and soulful dancer Belen Maya,
known for her appearances with Mayte Martin and the Dance Company of
Andalucía; and Rocío Molina, a highlight of the 2004 and 2005 NY Flamenco
Festivals who was called " a brooding treasure" ~~~ (New York Times).
Appearing as guest artist is the extraordinary award-winning singer Diana
Navarro. The show is directed by famed dancer and choreographer Mario Maya.



Sat. Feb. 16, 8 PM & Sun Feb 17, 7:00 PM
BALLET FLAMENCO EVA YERBABUENA
Program: Santo y Sena (Signs and Wonders)
New York City Center, W. 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, NYC
$75, $60, $40, $30 CityTix® (212) 581-1212 nycitycenter.org

Feb 16 & 17 - Ballet Flamenco Eva Yerbabuena
Eva Yerbabuena will return to the New York Flamenco Festival after her
appearances here in 2002 and 2005. Hailed as "a revelation" ~~~�
(New York Times) and a major force in flamenco today, she is a consummate
artist known for her breathtaking solos and dramatic footwork. She has
enraptured audiences throughout the world and won every prestigious Spanish
choreographic award, including the National Dance Prize. Her company will
present the New York debut of her acclaimed new show, Santo y Seña (Signs and
Wonders). With this show, Ms. Yerbabuena reprises and refreshes some of the
outstanding flamenco choreographies performed by her company since its debut
in 1998.

"This young woman is touched by greatness"
~~~ The Times (London)



Fri. Feb. 15 - Sun. Feb. 17, 1 1/2 hours before curtain
ANDALUCÍA LOUNGE
Special free pre-concert dance classes for City Center ticket holders only
at mezzanine lobby at City Center. Tapas and Spanish wines available at
concession stand.



Sat. Feb. 23, 8:00 PM & Sun. Feb. 24, 7:00 PM
SON DE LA FRONTERA
Program: Cal
NYU Skirball Center, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, NYC
$45, $35 Ticket Central (212) 279-4200 www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu
Info/Tickets: (212) 545-7536 or logon to: worldmusicinstitute.org flamencofestival.org

Feb 23 & 24 - Son de la Frontera
One of the hottest new ensembles in flamenco today, Son de la Frontera
features the electrifying Gypsy dance of Pepe Torres along with fiery
instrumentals and impassioned vocals. Led by Raul Rodriguez (son of singer
Martirio), the innovative ensemble blends flamenco puro with Latin American
rhythms and melodies and is the first group to prominently feature the Cuban
tres (a guitar with three sets of double steel strings) in flamenco. The group
was formed in tribute to pioneering guitar maestro Diego del Gastor from
Moron de la Frontera, Seville, and includes two of his grandnephews. The
program will include selections from Son de la Frontera's Latin
Grammy-nominated album Cal (World Village).

What the Press says about WMI's Flamenco Festival:

"Alluring"
~~~� New York Times

"One of the year's biggest dance events in New York City"
~~~ THE NEW YORK TIMES

"One of New York City's most important events"
~~~ NEWSDAY

New York Flamenco Festival 2008 is sponsored by Agencia Andaluza para el
Desarrollo del Flamenco and INAEM, Ministry of Culture of Spain Additional
support is provided by the New York State Council for the Arts, a State
agency; the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; the Howard Bayne
Fund; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; Fundacion Autor; Spanish Society
of Authors Composers and Publishers; Tourism Board of Andalucí­a; Instituto
Cervantes; the Tourism Office of Spain; King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center;
and the Consulate General of Spain in New York. Directed by Miguel Marin Productions.