Kalifeña

KALIFEÑA AT LA PEÑA NOVEMBER 22, 2024. 8:00pm-10:00pm (Doors at 7:30pm)

ABOUT

This work emerged initially from an inspiration to unite voices of women who, despite their diverse backgrounds, have a thread of commonality between them - the study of flamenco, the artform from Andalucía, Spain deemed by UNESCO as a treasure of World Cultural Heritage.

Obviously, in its place of origin, flamenco makes sense. But what is it about the artform that calls so many of us, particularly those of us who do not claim it as familial or cultural identity? Why dedicate ourselves to its serious invocation?

Flamenco allowed itself to be seen by me, a woman here in Alta California and it continues to be my teacher, along with the fog and redwoods. What can emerge from that is something found nowhere else.

FEATURING

• Melissa Cruz - dance and percussion
• Caro Acuña Olvera - vocals and percussion
• Luna Alonso - vocals and cello
• Bob San - guitar and bass
• Jesse Torre - guitar
• Katiana Vilá - vocals and percussion

Artistic Director Bio:

"Melissa Cruz is a Bay Area-based flamenco professional and has been a full-time flamenco artist and instructor for over 15 years. She began training with the Bay Area’s acclaimed flamenco master Rosa Montoya and soon thereafter, joined Ms. Montoya's professional company. Melissa has performed as a soloist in the San Francisco International Arts Festival and has presented in eight San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festivals, twice as a featured soloist. Summer 2021 saw Melissa featured in the one-woman flamenco theater play, "Flamenco on my Own" produced in collaboration with Miami’s Ballet Flamenco La Rosa and as a featured performer and instructor at the 2021 Festival Flamenco Albuquerque presented by the National Institute of Flamenco. In 2023, Melissa was featured in the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival in San Francisco, the Peninsula International Dance Festival (2022-2024) and the World Arts West Dance Festival.

In addition to her accomplished artistic career, Melissa is a Bachelor of the Arts graduate of UC Berkeley and holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco."

As described by Rachel Howard of the SF Chronicle: “Any dancer could make pained faces. But Cruz is clearly possessed by the duende — the spirit that drives this deeply introspective art.”

TICKET PRICE

$20 ADVANCE ONLINE SALES

$30 DOOR TICKET

We invite you to join us for this special event at this historic cultural center. Our restaurant opens at 5:30pm to welcome you into the space for dinner or drinks before the show, and our theater doors will open at 7:00pm to allow you to save your seat and mingle with other guests, and look at our murals.

Photo by: Stefan Cohen

Photo by: Gustavo Rodriguez

Host or Publisher La Peña Cultural Center