Learn about Flamenco at North Central College this month

Jelena Sanchez dances a “guajira” wearing a traditional dress. Sanchez said a guajira is a "departure and return" type of dance that fuses flamenco and Cuban sounds.

Updated: March 4, 2013 6:22AM

It’s a festival that’s so engaging, it can’t be held in a day or even a week. That’s the case for the sixth annual Flamenco Festival, a monthlong celebration of Spanish culture at North Central College.

“I hope people will come to the festival and see what it’s about, and take away something that enriches their life in some way,” said Jelena Sanchez, North Central Spanish instructor and festival coordinator.

“I hope to bring awareness to a different culture, connect with the community, and open up a dialogue about culture and diversity.”

Sanchez, a native of Madrid, helped organize the first festival in 2008. Since then, the event has continued to grow, in both attendance and available activities.

“Every year we are seeing more and more diversity on campus, and that is wonderful to see,” Sanchez said. “In order to be sincere teachers, we need to really offer events that represent all of our students — all of our voices — and that is what I am trying to do.”

Members of Fusion Espanola, the campus’ Spanish club, sponsor and coordinate the annual event.

“These events are important because they expose North Central students to a new culture,” said Stephania Rodriguez, 21, the club’s president.

“Many people may only know certain things about Spanish culture, but we like to break those boundaries and show them that the culture can be enriching and inviting.”

The festival showcases the “emotive rhythmic music and dance from Spanish culture.”

“This year we are offering flamenco classes, films, flamenco presentations, as well as The Guitars of Spain (the Chicago-based flamenco group Las Guitarras de Espana) live show,” said Rodriguez, of Aurora. “I encourage students, staff, faculty and community members to step outside their comfort zone and explore what Spanish culture has to offer.”

Lectures, live music and dance performances are planned throughout February. And for those who want to be more than spectators, there are ample opportunities to be part of the action.

Each Monday afternoon, Sanchez will teach flamenco classes for beginners. The one-hour course incorporates basic arm and body movements, footwork and musical rhythm.

“We walk around with our masks, our obligations and responsibilities, and we kind of lose sight of who we are,” she said. “Flamenco is really about communicating who you are through dance and song and music.”

The teacher said it’s a class for anyone — and everyone — who wants to escape from “their stresses, obligations and responsibilities, and concentrate on themselves.”

“I tell students that learning the steps is not at all important; just concentrate on feeling it,” Sanchez said. “Don’t get distracted, (instead) lose yourself in the feelings and emotions. I hear (from students) that flamenco is a way of releasing tension; it’s a therapeutic activity.”

If you go

What: The 2013 Flamenco Festival, a showcase of rhythmic music and dance from Spanish culture.

When: Various dates and time throughout the month of February. For information, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu

Where: North Central College, 30 N. Brainard St. in Naperville

Cost: Free and open to the public

Schedule: The Flamenco Festival presents the following events:

A free lecture titled “The Evolution of Flamenco” will kick off the festival from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. North Central Spanish instructor Jelena Sánchez will present the evolution of flamenco music and dance originated in Andalucía, Spain, as a voyage through time, from its roots to modern day. Tapas and discussion will follow.

Experts in the field of flamenco will present on various topics during a flamenco conference from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in the theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall. A discussion will follow.

The Chicago-based flamenco group The Guitars of Spain (Las Guitarras de España) will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13, in the theater at Meiley-Swallow Hall. The guitar-influenced ensemble will play Spanish flamenco and world music, and flamenco dancers will perform.

On Mondays through March 4, Sánchez will teach flamenco dance for beginners from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in Heininger Auditorium at Larrance Academic Center, 309 E. School St. Participants will learn basic arm and body movements, footwork and musical rhythms. No prior experience is needed. Skirts for women and square-heeled shoes are encouraged.

In addition, North Central College’s Spanish program is co-presenting a free screening of the 2008 documentary “Nuestros desaparecidos” (Our Disappeared) and follow-up discussion by its director Juan Mandelbaum at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, in the College’s Smith Hall at Old Main, 30 N. Brainard St. Mandelbaum will be part of a discussion led by Silvia Goldman, North Central assistant professor of Spanish. The documentary investigates what happened to thousands of people who “disappeared,” were kidnapped and tortured by Argentina’s military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983. Through rare archival footage, the film uncovers dramatic stories told by parents, siblings, friends and children of the disappeared.

Source: North Central College

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