Event

La Generación del 16

Still running our funding campaign!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/233421751/la-generacion-del-16

Produced, directed, and conceived by Ryan Rockmore
Dancers: Mary Baird, Xianix Barrera, Carol Basilio, and Ryan Rockmore
Musicians: Alfonso Cid & Cristian Puig

La Generación del 16 seeks to bring new voices to the New York flamenco scene. While a great deal of impressive traditional work is performed and created in this city, there are few opportunities for flamenco artists to experiment, perform innovative choreographies, and share their contemporary concepts with the community.

This collaborative, experimental project arose out of a questioning of the meaning behind the cafés cantantes in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Such locales were modeled after Parisian cabarets and can be compared to American Vaudeville theaters, as well. These locations had an important influence on flamenco through the development of codified, organized palos and defined movement aesthetics for both men and women. By taking flamenco out of private parties and familial settings, the art form began to take on a truly performative nature and exacerbate a performer-spectator relationship with set choreographies and elaborate costumes. The dancers were typically female, bailaoras, accompanied (or led) by male singers, cantaores, and guitarists.

The show also uses the Generations of 1927 and 1898 as foundational influences because of their desire to collaborate in groups, refer to classic or historical works, and find balances between the intellectual/sentimental and traditional/experimental aspects of art. La Generación del 16 intends to question stereotypes and traditions of the art form while still respecting its legacy and history, both globally and locally.