What happens when flamenco lets go and embraces the unexpected? Hopefully: Art. Flamenco OFF- BEAT is here to twist tradition. But will there be enough flamenco left to strike my sentimental flamenco chord? This program, presented by the Dutch Flamenco Biennial, invites flamenco artists to forge new paths and push the boundaries of this art form.

Cover photo: Luz Arcas, Mariana ©Virginia Rota

On November 17, 2024, the Muziekgebouw in Amsterdam opens its doors to Flamenco OFF-BEAT, a free event offering a first taste of the Dutch Flamenco Biennial that will take place in 2025. Flamenco Artworks © will be there to capture the experience and share the story with you. Here’s our sneak peek between the (flamenco) beats.

Flamenco Performance routes

Flamenco OFF – BEAT is curated by Flamenco Biënnale Nederland director Ernestina van de Noort with Ernesto Artillo and designed by the latter as well. It features two routes that guide you through a maze of works from up-and-coming dancers and musicians where flamenco can meet modern marimba, distorted rhythms, or digital landscapes. The routes have been designed by Ernesto Artillo, a super interesting Spanish artist whose work seems a collage of art, fashion, and photography, where the body and materials take center stage. His performance with dancer Martí Corbera in Un beso blanco is a work in progress and a world premiere. I’m very curious to see how he has played with flamenco and its elements.

The lineup includes other bold artists like dancer and choreographer from Málaga Luz Arcas, whose piece Mariana reimagines flamenco through raw, animalistic movement. Inspired by cante jondo, the deep song at flamenco’s core, Arcas uses her body to channel the primal energy traditionally evoked by a singer’s voice. Works like Mariana by Luz Arcas’s performance stretch flamenco beyond traditional movement and visuals.

My eye is also on dancer Sara Jiménez, presenting Ave de Plata with her original movements and attire, always in her own style which seems promising but I have yet to discover whether it is really original compared to other up and coming avant garde dancers like Maria Moreno or Vanesa Aibar.

Moreover, there is amazing young flamenco singer Ángeles Toledano, whose sexually suggestive, scintillating outfits and video clips raise the classic question: is it kitsch or art? Her style both irritates and intrigues me, much like Rosalía’s, which in itself makes it lean towards art. This edgy approach is something new for flamenco, reflecting Toledano’s millennial roots of media-skewed generation Y. Yet, beneath it all, she manages to keep the jondura—the depth—of flamenco intact.

Flamenco Surprises: Roots & Innovation

I imagine that incredibly creative artist and musician Raúl Cantizano will definitely come with a guitar surprise, paying tribute to flamenco guitar legend Sabicas, who forever changed flamenco guitar with his explosive and fast techniques. Furthermore, the raspy voice of Tomás de Perrate intrigues me and promises to bring a powerful traditional touch, connecting contemporary experimentation to flamenco’s rich vocal roots and cante jondo. A bit of flamenco history will be coming from ‘flamenco & orient’ program ‘Romance de Granada. The Fall of the Last Moorish King in 1492‘ with Maarten Ornstein (bass clarinet), Mike Fentross (theorbo, lute) and Beatriz Lafont Murcia (vocals) – work in progress From Cairo to Sevilla.

With Flamenco OFF-BEAT the Dutch Flamenco Biennale once again plays with tradition, revealing flamenco’s surprising power to transform and inspire. Check out the program here —it’s free, but reservations are recommended.

So, is it art or flamenco? Or both? If you are curious about my conclusions, sign up for Flamenco Artworks © now! And receive all the updates in your e-mail