Flamenco Express

Event information

Flamenco Express return to Britain with a new cargo of raw, heart-wrenching flamenco – with 'sizzling soloist' La Joaquina, guitar virtuoso Chris Clavo, the massive vocal presence of Antonio El Pola; plus the riveting talent of new guest, Kuky Santiago, king of Cádiz.

Flamenco is as universal, powerful and versatile as the blues, as epic as opera, and as delicate and pin-sharp as ballet.

For over thirty years, Flamenco Express has existed to do justice to this unique art form by choosing the best artists and allowing them total freedom of expression. The result is a new emotional and artistic experience every night, delivered by an astonishing range of talent.

Victor Fernandez

Victor was Born in Granada in 1986. Here he studied Spanish Dance and Flamenco at the Reina Sofía Professional Dance Conservatory and later at the María de Ávila Higher Dance Conservatory in Madrid.

He began his professional career with Oscar Quero's Esdanza Company in Granada, then moving to Madrid, he joined the Madrid Flamenco Ballet, touring Spain and China, Jose Barrios' "Flamenco Flamenco" in Japan and Rafael Aguilar Flamenco Company, touring Europe and the Far East. He has worked with important choreographers such as Rafaela Carrasco, Joaquín Ruíz and Javier Latorre.

Recently Victor has been developing his own work and collaborating with Ballet de Carmen Roche and the Denis Santacana Dance Company.

With the support of the support from the Basque Government, he has produced many works including 'Encuentros,' which received numerous awards, obtaining first prize for best choreography of Spanish dance and flamenco in numerous choreographic competitions including 'Distrito Tetuán', the prestigious Choreographic Competition of Spanish Dance and Flamenco of Madrid, the International Dance Competition Escena Mobile and Audience Award and the Rosario Flamenco Vancouver Award.

Victor has recently taken part in "Time" by choreographer Yuka Oishi, for Origen Festival, Switzerland. He has choreographed his first show "Raizando", premiered in the Chumbera auditorium, Granada. and "A Mano y Pie" premiered at La Fundición Bilbao. He is currently in the research & development process for 'Triade,' with the support of the Basque Government.

Victor continues to develop his teaching career throughout Spain, the UK, Russia and Canada.

La Joaquina

Born to a Spanish mother with gypsy heritage, she started her professional life as a contemporary ballet dancer at the Laban Centre, London followed by an apprenticeship in New York with the renowned American choreographer Merce Cunnigham.

But it was during a trip to see the famous flamenco singer from Jerez, Antonio Núñez Montoya, known to the world as El Chocolate, that she had a kind of epiphany. She then went to Spain to train with Flamenco masters Eduardo Lopez, La Tati and Carmen Cortes. On return she performed with Paco Peña in the Opera Carmen in London and Tokyo which led to performing at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden choreographed by Cristina Hoyos.

She developed her own distinctive style as a Flamenco soloist which is a reflection of her own dance career, influenced by American modernism such as Martha Graham and rooted in her life in London. She is known for her very honest style, her sense of urgency and "nowhere to hide" approach to her performance.

She started her own dance company, Flamenco Express in 1996, a touring dance company presenting established and emerging flamenco artists to UK audiences in elemental performances true to the spirit and conviction of flamenco. Flamenco Express ran Club Azul, London's first dedicated flamenco theatre until April 1998 when the company became permanently based in Greenwich Dance Agency. The company has been on the road ever since with over 1200 performances and workshops in more than 700 venues and festivals including the Jerwood Space, Déda, The Curve, Laban, Sidmouth Folk Festival, The Hackney Empire and Bath Theatre Royal.

La Joaquina also collaborates outside of her own company in the UK and internationally, including with the Royal Shakespeare Company, choreographer Athina Valha (Royal Festival Hall), as well as Channel 4 Films, Granada TV & Cirque du Soleil. She appeared as a principle soloist in 'Splinter In The Flesh' with the Hellenic National Dance Company at the Athens Megaron in 2010. She continues touring with Flamenco Express and performs with her own independent work.