La Emi, New Mexico’s very own star of flamenco, returns to the Benitez Cabaret stage at The Lodge at Santa Fe with a summer showcase running through September 4.
Featuring a brand-new production of artists, costumes, choreography, set design and more. Incorporating modern elements while maintaining the essence of traditional flamenco, this year’s summer showcase marks an evolution in the artistry of La Emi. Tickets are now on sale for the series, with shows available every week, from Wednesday through Sunday.
“This year’s showcase is the first time we are doing anything of this scale and level of production,” said La Emi. “We’re collaborating with experts in their fields — in staging, choreography, costume design and more, and challenging ourselves to create something never done before. We’re proud to represent this art form in New Mexico and bring a whole new interpretation to our audience.”
Following a six-week intensive in Spain, La Emi brings a show that represents the combination of the classic style of flamenco puro and danza española to highlight elements of a more modern show, atypical of the traditional flamenco tablao essence. Collaborating with top choreographers from Madrid and Granada, the summer showcase will also feature special guest appearances by musicians Vicente Griego with Gabriel Lautaro Osuna, Eloy Cito Gonzales and Javier Saume Mazzei and dancers Janira Cordova, Cienna Chavez and Tessa Torres. Guests will delight in an eye-catching display that captures a range of emotions — of love, loss, power and strength. Dancers wear custom frocks handmade by local Santa Fe seamstress Maria Sena, of fabrics and materials hand-selected by Emi during her time in Spain, and varied acts will include props like bastones and sombreros cordobés
A prominent performer, teacher and organizer in the state, La Emi, a New Mexico native, began studying the art of flamenco with the Maria Benitez Institute for Spanish Arts (ISA) at the age of 4. In 2014, La Emi founded her own dance company, EmiArteFlamenco, and in 2017, she founded both EmiArteFlamenco Academy, a school for students of all ages, and Flamenco Youth de Santa Fe, a children’s company that performs for communities all around New Mexico.
In addition to performing in venues across the country, La Emi has travelled to Spain since 2013 to study intensively with notable dancers like Gala Vivancos, Carmela Greco and La Popi and performed in major venues and events in Madrid, Granada and Seville. La Emi has received recognition for her talent and work through the years, including Santa Fe Mayor’s Melissa Engestrom Youth Artist Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2012 and being selected as one of 12 young and emerging artists in Pasatiempo. In the summer of 2018, she launched her professional career with Heritage Hotels, producing performances at the Benitez Cabaret at The Lodge at Santa Fe.
La Emi’s showcase will be held every week, Wednesday through Sunday from July 9 to September 4. From Wednesday through Saturday, the show begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. The Sunday matinee service begins at 2 p.m., with doors opening at 1:15 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased in advance.
For more information about La Emi and The Lodge at Santa Fe, visit www.emiarteflamenco.com and www.lodgeatsantafe.com
Tickets now available for showcase at the Benitez Cabaret at The Lodge at Santa Fe,
The show runs through September 4
For more information about La Emi and The Lodge at Santa Fe, visit www.emiarteflamenco.com and www.lodgeatsantafe.com
For more information on Heritage Hotels & Resorts, please visit their site linked below.
Photo thanks to Heritage
