The energetic and seductive style of flamenco has entranced audiences for generations, and it's coming to the Brackendale Art Gallery Friday (April 3).
The Vancouver troupe Poema Flamenco showcases the genre's musical and cultural tradition, and refers both to a musical style of rapid guitar strums and a dance of intricate, tapping and stomping footwork.
"Flamenco lyrics are expressions or feelings of the pain and joy of real life," states Poema Flamenco's website, adding their name is inspired by the poetic unfolding of flamenco song and dance.
The performers showcasing this age-old style are professional artists of diverse backgrounds, nationalities and lifestyles all sharing a devotion to flamenco. The group incorporates the beauty of Peter Mole's guitar, the attractive voice of cantaor Luis Gutierrez, the engaging tunes of Patrick Ernst on violin and the mesmerizing movements of flamenco bailaora Karen Pitkethly.
Ernst brings the troupe to the BAG with an already profound awareness of the town's musical appreciation. The violin instructor is well known locally for bringing his young local students to Gelato Carina's open mic nights. On Friday, he opens the BAG stage to his young prot茅g茅s as Poema Flamenco's opening acts.
Ernst said he was inspired to teach and to share the experience of performing with young students from his own upbringing in Whitehorse, Yukon.
"The musical community up there is really very strong and very supportive of young musicians, so I try as hard as I can to recreate what my youth was like by getting these kids to come out and perform at local events and enjoy the fun in performing," he said.
Half a dozen 樱桃视频students ranging from six to 14 years old will open both sets before Poema Flamenco takes the stage, and will feature two students in particular.
Ryan Gilbert, 11, expressed his interest in performing Czardas, a complicated Hungarian gypsy piece, after hearing Ernst play it. Despite the warning that it would take him several months to master, Gilbert tackled the upbeat number over the span of a year, and he's now ready to entertain audiences.
Michael Kildy, 10, was inspired by Russian folk music to take on his own piece, which he will also perform Friday.
The Jack Omeasoo, 9, will take on foot stompin' traditional Celtic fiddle tunes.
The kids love the exposure to audiences, said Ernst, despite the occasional bout of nerves. And the laid-back venues are a good way of introducing the burgeoning musicians to the stage.
"It's to a fun crowd," he said of the local performances. "I like to expose my students to a fun crowd instead of something like a church where everyone's quiet. I'll bring them out to Gelato Carina where everybody's having fun and it's a more social event."
The evening at the Brackendale Art Gallery starts at 8 p.m. and costs $20 for adults and $15 for children, students and seniors.
