The San Francisco International Arts Festival Presents: Melissa Cruz Flamenco: Tablao Flamenco
https://www.sfiaf.org/2025_melissa_cruz_flamenco
Saturday, May 3rd, 7:30 PM
Melissa Cruz Flamenco: Tablao Flamenco
Abancio Coffee Roasters
2121 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
Tablao Flamenco
The vibrance and allure of flamenco come alive in this tribute to the “tablao,” an improvised collaboration allowing for the expression of the full spectrum of human emotion. A guitar's rapid picado and thundering rasgueado meets articulating arms and fingers of the bailaora as she brings forth other-worldly inspirations. Deep cante jondo juxtaposed with light hearted cante chico, the pulse of palmas and the stirring poly-rhythms of heel work weave and unravel to create tension and release so emblematic of flamenco. Each tablao presentation is unique, the artists responding and reacting moment to moment, creating in constant connection. The intimate space offered by Abanico allows the audience to feel the vibrational spontaneity of flamenco, the Andalusian art form granted Cultural Heritage status by UNESCO.
This intimate performance will feature flamenco pieces created in the moment by
*Roberto Aguilar, dancer and flamenco guitarist
*Azriel El Moreno, dancer and flamenco singer
*Melissa Cruz, dancer and percussionist
Artist Biographies
Melissa Cruz
Melissa is a Bay Area-based flamenco professional and has been a full-time flamenco artist and instructor for the past 20 years. She began training with the Bay Area’s acclaimed flamenco master Rosa Montoya and soon thereafter, joined Ms. Montoya's professional company. Melissa has performed as a soloist in the San Francisco International Arts Festival and has presented in eight San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festivals, twice as a featured soloist. Summer 2021 saw Melissa featured in the one-woman flamenco theater play, "Flamenco on my Own" produced in collaboration with Miami’s Ballet Flamenco La Rosa and as a featured performer and instructor at the 2021 Festival Flamenco Albuquerque presented by the National Institute of Flamenco. In 2023, Melissa was featured in the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco, the Peninsula International Dance Festival (2022-2024) and the World Arts West Dance Festival. In addition to her accomplished artistic career, Melissa is a Bachelor of the Arts graduate of UC Berkeley and holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco.
Check out her work here!
You may also like the following events from San Francisco International Arts Festival:
- Next Wednesday, 30th April, 07:00 pm, Green Shoot Productions: In the Name of the Son (2022, U.S. Premiere) in San Francisco
- Next Wednesday, 30th April, 08:00 pm, Dandelion Dance Theater and The Wandering Ensemble Presents "Lost and Found" in San Francisco
- Next Thursday, 1st May, 07:00 pm, Wachowicz/Fret Studio: Granica/The Border in San Francisco
Also check out other
Festivals in San Francisco,
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