Local, international artists coming together for flamenco spring showcase

"We're still part of a global community. I think that's why my family has more respect," Joaquín Encinias, the artistic director for the National Institute of Flamenco, said.

"We're still part of a global community. I think that's why my family has more respect," Joaquín Encinias, the artistic director for the National Institute of Flamenco, said.

LOOK AT THE REHEARSALS. YEAH, WELL, COME THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, MANY PEOPLE WILL BE FLOCKING TO THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER FOR THE INSTITUTE’S SPRING SHOWCASE. AND JUST THROUGH THESE DOORS, A FLAMENCO EXPERIENCE UNLIKE ANY OTHER, ALL FOR A COMMUNITY THEY CALL THEIR OWN. FOR JOAQUIN ENCINIAS, IT’S BEEN A BUSY SIX MONTHS. WE DID A VERY SPECIAL THING THIS SEASON BECAUSE OF A GRANT FROM THE NEW ENGLAND FOUNDATION OF THE ARTS ORGANIZING A CONCERT THAT BRINGS UNIQUE ART FORMS TOGETHER, COLLABORATING WITH BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS FOR SOMETHING CALLED FLAMENCO FANDANGO. IT’S THE LATEST SHOWCASE FROM YASHIRO’S, A DANCE COMPANY WITHIN THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FLAMENCO. WE DON’T REALLY TRY TO DO IT ON A SIMPLE LEVEL. WE DON’T TRY TO, YOU KNOW, IMITATE IT. WE DON’T TRY TO MINIMIZE IT. WE REALLY TRY TO INCORPORATE IT INTO OUR CULTURE. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. THE FLAMENCO SCHOOL IS THE LARGEST ONE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, WHICH MEANS IT PUTS ALBUQUERQUE ON THE MAP. THERE’S PEOPLE WHO COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO ALBUQUERQUE FOR THAT TIME. WE REALLY DO BECOME THE CENTER OF FLAMENCO FOR ABOUT EIGHT, EIGHT, TEN DAYS. THE NONPROFIT IS ALSO KNOWN FOR ITS ANNUAL FESTIVAL, FLAMENCO ALBUQUERQUE. IT’S A HUGE EVENT FILLED WITH WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK IN JUNE, WHICH MEANS THEY HELP BRING IN A LOT OF TOURISM AND A LOT OF MONEY. IT’S MUCH MORE IMPACT THAN YOU CAN REALLY. WHAT WE MEASURED THE LAST TIME. SO IT’S A BIG NUMBER. BUT AS AN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, JOAQUIN ENCINIAS SAYS, IT ALL COMES DOWN TO EDUCATION. SOMETHING HE REALLY PRIDES IN WITH DANCERS, YOUNG AND OLD, WHAT WE DO IN THE NEW MEXICO AND IN ALBUQUERQUE IS REALLY SPECIAL AROUND THE WORLD AND CERTAINLY SPECIAL IN THIS COUNTRY, AND WE’RE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT, ALL BASED ON A LOVE FOR A COMMUNITY HE CALLS HOM

Local, international artists coming together for flamenco spring showcase

"We're still part of a global community. I think that's why my family has more respect," Joaquín Encinias, the artistic director for the National Institute of Flamenco, said.

Joaquín Encinias has been extremely busy.For six months, he's been organizing a concert. One that not only brings unique art forms together, but also collaborates with local and international artists.It's all for a spring performance called "Flamenco Fandanguero: Primos De La Raza Cósmica." The concert is the latest showcase from Yjastros, a dance company within the National Institute of Flamenco. 11 dancers and 12 musicians are involved in the production."We don't try to imitate . We don't try to minimize it. We really try to incorporate it into our culture," Encinias said.However, that's not all. The flamenco school is the largest one in the entire country. That means it puts Albuquerque on the map."There's people who come from all over the world to Albuquerque," he said. "We really do become the center of flamenco."The nonprofit organization is also known for its annual "Festival Flamenco Albuquerque." It's a big event filled with workshops and performances for an entire week in June. They help bring a lot of tourism to New Mexico."It's much more impact than what we measured the last time, so it's a big number," Encinias said.As artistic director of the company, he says it all comes down to education, something he really prides himself on with dancers, young and old."What we do in New Mexico and in Albuquerque is really special around the world, and certainly special in this country," he said. "We're recognized for that."All based on a love for a community he calls home.The spring showcase premieres April 26 at 8 p.m. and April 27 at 4 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. To get tickets, visit the institute's website here.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —

Joaquín Encinias has been extremely busy.

For six months, he's been organizing a concert. One that not only brings unique art forms together, but also collaborates with local and international artists.

It's all for a spring performance called "Flamenco Fandanguero: Primos De La Raza Cósmica." The concert is the latest showcase from Yjastros, a dance company within the National Institute of Flamenco. 11 dancers and 12 musicians are involved in the production.

"We don't try to imitate [flamenco]. We don't try to minimize it. We really try to incorporate it into our culture," Encinias said.

However, that's not all.

The flamenco school is the largest one in the entire country. That means it puts Albuquerque on the map.

"There's people who come from all over the world to Albuquerque," he said. "We really do become the center of flamenco."

The nonprofit organization is also known for its annual "Festival Flamenco Albuquerque." It's a big event filled with workshops and performances for an entire week in June.

They help bring a lot of tourism to New Mexico.

"It's much more impact than what we measured the last time, so it's a big number," Encinias said.

As artistic director of the company, he says it all comes down to education, something he really prides himself on with dancers, young and old.

"What we do in New Mexico and in Albuquerque is really special around the world, and certainly special in this country," he said. "We're recognized for that."

All based on a love for a community he calls home.

The spring showcase premieres April 26 at 8 p.m. and April 27 at 4 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. To get tickets, visit the institute's website here.

Local, international artists coming together for flamenco spring showcase

"We're still part of a global community. I think that's why my family has more respect," Joaquín Encinias, the artistic director for the National Institute of Flamenco, said.

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