Direct from Madrid, Spain, Casa Patas returns to Miami with a powerful performance celebrating the characteristics that distinguish the art of Flamenco, an art marked by fiery outbursts and swift blows of silence that define the passionate character of this seductive form, performed by the renowned young dancer and choreographer Francisco Hidalgo and the dancers Lucía de Miguel y Rubén Puertas.

In addition to the performances, Francisco Hidalgo and the company will provide a master class for local professional dancers.

About the artists:

Francisco Hidalgo, choreographer and dancer (Spain)
By the age of 17 Francisco Hidalgo dedicated himself professionally to the world of flamenco, working in such tablaos as Casa Patas. He began to showcase his concept for Spanish dance at various festivals with his show “Dance Recital” and is regularly invited to participate in international tours with other companies. He has won various prizes: Special Mention at the National Competition of Flamenco Dance / Hospitalet in Barcelona (2002) and at Aniya La Gitana de Ronda (2008); second prize at the 50th International Cante Festival de Las Minas (2010). He was principal dancer in the musical “Flamenka” and worked with Ruimy Keren in Parisian theaters including Pierre Cardin, Folies Bergere, and Casino de Paris, and for three months at the Lyric Theater in London. He made guest appearances on the “Douze Siccler Vine a Rouaume”. He was invited as principal dancer with Miguel Poveda, the renowned Spanish flamenco singer, touring in Spain and beyond. He performed at the American Premiere of “Los Abrazos Rotos” by Pedro Almodóvar at the Lincoln Center in New York .

Rubén Puertas, dancer (Spain)
The Flamenco bailaor Rubén Puertas is graduated in Spanish Dance and Flamenco by the Higher Institute of Dance Comandante Fortea. He has studied with María Vivó, Merche Esmeralda and some of the greatest figures of contemporary Flamenco. In 2010, he joined in María Pages Company  in the category of dance troupe performing works of repertoire as “Flamenco y Poesía”, “Sevilla” and “Flamenco Republic”.

Lucía de Miguel, dancer (Spain)
Lucía de Miguel started dancing in Granada and reached her professional standing in Madrid performing at theaters and tablaos, including Casa Patas, Café de Chinitas, Las Tablas, and Las Carboneras, and in Barcelona at Tablao de Carmen and Los Tarantos. In 2004, together with other young artists she created Estuaria, a company that continues to this day. Composed entirely of women, the group has performed on various Spanish and international stages. Their three productions to date achieved great success with both audiences and critics. Her solo career was awarded the 1st prize in the Premier Contest for Young Flamencos organized by the province of Granada. As part of the company, she was named as semifinalist of the Choreographic Contest of Spanish Dance and Flamenco/Madrid with the piece “Triangular”

This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, FUNDarte and The Miami Dade County Auditorium.

This event is part of the global performing arts series NO BORDERS presented by FUNDarte Inc. This series focuses on innovative contemporary works from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain, celebrating Miami’s diverse multiethnic culture.