January 11, 2005
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

UCSB Arts & Lectures and The Lobero present the vibrant Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras in its Santa Barbara debut at the Arlington Theatre

Summary Facts:

• Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras
• One of the most popular and spellbinding dance troupes in Europe
• This 16-member group will make its Santa Barbara debut
• Third of three ArtAbounds events presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures and The Lobero in 2004-2005
• Tuesday, February 15
• 8 pm, Arlington Theatre, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara
• Tickets: General public $45, $35 / UCSB students $19
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures Ticket Office (805) 893-3535 or The Arlington Ticket Agency (805) 963-4408

Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras will make its area debut performing its latest work Sueños (Dreams) on Tuesday, February 15 at 8 pm at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara. One of Europe’s most popular and celebrated dancers, the dynamic Sara Baras has received Spain’s most prestigious dance award, the 2004 Premio Nacional de Danza, and recently made flamenco box office history with a record-breaking five-month show in Madrid. Baras and her 15-member company create flamenco puro at its finest and most essential, a perfect showcase for Baras’ dazzling talent. The Washington Post exclaims, “Sara Baras dances as if her life depended on it...this is flamenco for a new generation.” This event is an ArtAbounds performance, presented by The Lobero and UCSB Arts & Lectures.

Baras is known for her brilliant footwork and powerful presence. She is joined by her company of eight women dancers and seven musicians for Sueños, which features her trademark style rooted in tradition yet still expanding the genre. In a twist on flamenco conventions, the all-female company redefines flamenco for women, journeying through many different styles in the process. Elegant and passionate, their technical prowess creates some of the finest flamenco in the world.

Sara Baras began her artistic studies at her mother Concha Baras’ dance school in Cadiz when she was eight years old. After winning first prize in a television contest at 18, she joined Manuel Morao’s company, sharing the stage with such flamenco greats as Enrique Morente, Javier Barón, Paco Peña, Merche Esmeralda, El Guito and Antonio Canales. In 1998 Baras established her own company Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras, which performs throughout the world. Its productions include Sensaciones, Sueños, Juana La Loca (Vivir por Amor) and Mariana Pineda, which premiered at the Bienal de Flamenco in September 2002 and was part of the New York Flamenco Festival 2003 and 2004.

Twice winner of the much coveted Premio Max de las Artes Escénicas as best female interpreter in dance, as well as the prestigious National Dance Award in 2003, Sara Baras’ choreography and performance is some of the best flamenco Spain has produced. Le Figaro asserts that “her dance is sculptural and magnificent, her footwork of a virtuosity rarely attained by a female flamenco dancer.”

In the year 2002 Sara Baras was named “The Face of Andalusia,” and represents the Tourism Council of the Andalusian government. She has also made appearances in the fashion world, posing for the Cartier catalog, and walking the catwalks as a model for Amaya Arzuaga’s collection in London and for Francis Montesinos’ designs in Madrid and Lisbon.

The performance by Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras is the third of three ArtAbounds events of the 2004-2005 performing arts season. An innovative partnership between UCSB Arts & Lectures and The Lobero, ArtAbounds permits both presenters to bring to Santa Barbara international artists of the highest stature that neither could present on its own. This project is funded in part by the Festivals Grant Program using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission.

The performance by Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras is supported by Michael Towbes and sponsored by the Santa Barbara News-Press and Holiday Inn. This residency is supported by the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras are $45 and $35 for the general public and $19 for UCSB students, who must show valid ID both at purchase and at the door.

For tickets or more information, call the UCSB Arts & Lectures Ticket Office at (805) 893-3535, or the Arlington Ticket Agency at (805) 963-4408.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.