See if you click with castanets

Jun 21 2007 By Gordon Barr, The Evening Chronicle

Spanish passion set to warm rainy Newcastle this weekend. Entertainment Editor Gordon Barr has the details

With forecasts of more rain for the weekend, Dance City is hoping a little Latin spirit will help raise the temperatures.

The Newcastle-based dance organisation is bringing back the Peña Flamenca for a day full of fiery flamenco workshops, performance and tapas.

The event, hosted by the Raúl Calderónin partnership with El Torero, will feature performances from leading Spanish dancers Lola Rueda and Juani Garcia with live accompaniment from guitarist Jorge Bravo.

"When we have run these events in the past they have proved to be very popular, exciting, vibrant events reflecting the warmth and passion of Spain," says Raul, regional development manager at Dance City.

"People of all levels can take part in the workshops or enjoy the performance and can try fantastic tapas. We hope we can bring some sunshine and passion to Newcastle this weekend no matter what the weather is like outside."

Peña Flamenca runs from 4pm to midnight on Saturday and features beginners, intermediate and advanced classes, dinner at El Torero and ends with the peña and live performance.

Attendees can pick and choose which sessions they attend during the event.

The next Peña Flamenca will take place at Dance City in September.

For tickets and package deals call the ticket office at Dance City on (0191) 261 0505.

Before that, tomorrow night, Dance City hosts The Graduate Project presents Green. Go., featuring work from Ingri, Laura and Anna, installation work by another Anna and by Diego, music by Nic and Mic, photography and film by Violaine and Jessica and much more.

Performers are Anna, Sam, Zoe, Gemma, Amanda, Matt, Lucy, Alex, Rachel and Kate.

The Graduate Project has seen two weeks of production, performance and networking, which has been open to dancers, actors, visual artists, choreographers, musicians, Web designers, cultural managers, photographers, graphic designers, and anyone interested in interdisciplinary collaboration rooted in contemporary dance.