Alborada is fortunate to be the premier Spanish Dance company in NJ and also one of NJ's leading dance companies. We have developed a breadth of repertoire that demonstrates the diversity of Spanish dance and its relationship to cultures in all parts of the world. Programs by the critically acclaimed Alborada Spanish Dance Theater focus on the common ground we share, emphasizing cultural relationships over cultural differences.

What is Spanish Dance? The term Spanish Dance includes the four main dance forms from Spain: Regional, Escuela Bolera (18th century/school dances), Classical and Flamenco. This rich legacy is revealed in the complex history and culture of Spain, as many other world cultures have contributed to the development of this dance tradition. French and Italian ballet influenced the Escuela Bolera and Classical dances, as these combine ballet technique with Spanish footwork and styling. Flamenco developed from the interaction of Gypsy, Arabic, Jewish and Christian populations present in Spain from the 9th to 17th centuries. Gypsy (Roma) ancestors are theorized to have migrated from northern India into Eastern Europe and Spain, and the story of their hardships is often reflected in the Flamenco cante (singing); the Flamenco body and arm movements also reflect Indian and Arabic influences. Latin American rhythms influenced some Flamenco music and dance traditions when explorers returned from the New World to Spain. The fan (abanico) and shawl (manton) were brought back from Cuba, Manila and the Philippines respectively and were taken up by the Gypsies. The castanets (rudimentary form) were first seen over 1000 years ago in Northern India. The Regional or folkloric dances are indigenous to various regions of Spain and are reflective of the populations that settled there, such as the Celtic population in Northern Spain, which also boast of its Gaetas (bagpipes).

The centerpiece of the Lorca suite is Eva Lucena's Flamenco dance drama “Granada the End” based on his poem "La Guardia Civil” (The Civil Guard), which ends in Lorca's death (this dance drama was nominated for an NEA award in 1998). The stark prison scene features the driving rhythm of the Martinete, a Flamenco dance accompanied by the striking of a hammer on an anvil, danced so well by Ricardo Santiago (principal dancer) as the Civil Guard. “Café de Chinitas” is set in Lorca's beloved Café de Chinitas in Malaga, (choreographed by Gisele Assi, principal dancer and Assistant Director), a place known as the archetypical flamenco hot spot. Poems of Lorca are sung and danced. The Company will celebrate the work of José Greco by featuring interpretations of his favorite dances: The Miller's Dance from Manual de Falla's El Sombrero de Tres Picos and the Zapateado Clasico of Sarasate. For María Alba, a re-staging of her signature pieces - Siguiriyas, Caracoles (with dresses having long ruffled trains danced with fans, shawls and castanets), and reminiscing her Guajiras in Lorca style, danced by Lisa Botalico, Associate Artistic Director.

FUEGO! celebrates the dynamic artistry of Flamenco by presenting traditional dances and music, as well as modern interpretations, contrasted with a glowing fire column. Featuring the principal artists of Alborada, you will enjoy dances such as the Alegrias, Farruca, Solea, Solea por Bulerias, Tientos, Tangos and Bulerias. Experience the expression of Flamenco fire and soul in FUEGO!

OLÉ!, one of Alborada's most popular productions, and featured on New Jersey Network (NJN) Images/Imagenes 2004 program Flamenco: The Essence of Dance and Drama, re-creates the passionate sights and sounds of a typical cueva (cave-tavern) found in Sacromonte, where the local Gypsies entertained tourists. Our set depicting a historic cueva was created based on memories of Artistic Director Eva Lucena, who grew up in Granada, Spain and embarked on her Flamenco career there with the Gypsies in the Sacromonte hills. In a traditional intimate tablao setting, Flamenco dances such as Farruca, Siguiriyas, Rumba, and many others are performed by the Alborada principal artists, led by Eva as our Gypsy family's matriarch, in “An impromptu happening - Gypsy style”.

The story of this enchanting full-length Spanish dance ballet is based on the enduring themes of the Nutcracker Ballet; however, here it is transported to the beautiful Plaza de Toros bullring. Join Clarita and her family and friends as they celebrate Three Kings Day where everyone will dance the festive Bulerías and see the Kings give gifts to all. When Clarita's friends break a matador doll given to her by her aunt Tia Maria, a chain of events takes place that will transport you and Clarita to magical places. Experience the fierce battle by our brave Matador with the Great Bull danced to the driving rhythm of the Martinete. With Clarita's help, the Great Bull is vanquished and Clarita is whisked away to the Land of the Majas, where you will enjoy beautiful dances spanning seven centuries of Spain's cultural traditions - the enchanting 19th century Goyescas; the colorful Verdiales with be-ribboned castanets, tambourines and hats; the Flamenco Arabe suite; exciting Gypsy Flamenco dances and much more. After Clarita enjoys this feast of dance, she bids farewell as we dance a Rumba to a traditional Spanish Navidad (Christmas) Villancico song.

In celebration of all the FERIAS that take place in Spain during the year, and a “Taste of Mexico” with dances from Jalisco and Veracruz, we take you on a journey that begins in Madrid, winds back and forth from the Colonies, Mexico, and ends in Andalucia. Enjoy the costumes recreated from the paintings of Goya, famous in Spain during the 18th Century for his depictions of the Duchess of Alba in La Spagnola; the costumes of the Colonies of the 18th Century in the Guajiras; the riding costumes of the Zapateado de Sarasate from the turn of the century; the typical festive costumes worn by dancers for the Rocieras (an 800 year old festival where the musicians stroll playing flutes, drums tambourines ands guitars); to the very colorful Mexican costumes. Enjoy the similarities of the footwork of the Mexican dances with those of the festive Flamenco dances - the Zapateado in the Mexican portion is danced without music; the Zapateado de Sarasate is danced with the virtuosity of a viola.

The Sephardic Connection recreates the interaction of Spanish and Sephardic Jewish cultural traditions that existed in Spain in the 15th century when Sephardic Jewish, Christian and Moorish populations co-existed, by telling the story of a Sephardic Jewish family living in Cordoba, Spain in 1492, and their subsequent exodus to a Sephardic settlement in Turkey with dance, music and song. This production, featured in May 2008 on the New Jersey Network (NJN) Images/Imagenes program Flamenco's Untold Story, is designed to reach out not only to the immense Jewish population (many of Sephardic heritage) living in New Jersey and the greater Tri-State area, but also to bring a diverse cross-cultural program to benefit the general public. This production emphasizes the peaceful and productive coexistence of Jews, Christians and Muslims prior to 1492, which still has profound relevance today. Alborada is accompanied by a guest Sephardic music ensemble, a cantorial singer performing traditional Ladino (the Sephardic Spanish/Hebrew dialect) songs, a guest Middle Eastern dancer and Sephardic Jewish dancers. Highlights of the production include Petenera, a Flamenco drama depicting the suffering and exodus of the Sephardim and dance and music pieces fusing Flamenco and Sephardic influences, including the traditional Jewish & Greek dance MIZERLOU. Experience the powerful story of the Sephardim!

From fiery Flamenco to the energetic Csárdás, to wailing violins and guitars, this visually and musically exciting production recreates all the sights and sounds of the oldest festival in Saint Maries de la Mer (Camargue, southern France), to which the Roma - the Gypsies - make their annual pilgrimage. The Feast opens with a procession of violins, a Hungarian cimbalom and a singer of Spanish religious Saetas, where we pay homage to the Gypsy patron saint Sarah. As we enter the encampment, which includes a caravan and camp fire, the festival celebration is continued by an extended Spanish and Hungarian family, with their Balkan cousins, performing a variety of dances and music - the lyrical dances of the Balkan Roma, the high energy Csárdás of the Hungarian Roma, and Spanish dances using tambourines and zills (Arabic finger instruments) which demonstrate their Arabic (Moorish) background. The highlight is a fusion piece, the Ketri Ketri, a spiritual dance honoring nature, which combines the Spanish and Hungarian styles. The entire Alborada company is joined by Hungarian and Balkan Roma Dance ensembles and a Gypsy band. This means twenty four dancers and ten musicians grace the stage, bringing the diversity of Gypsy cultures in dance, music and song. Your spirits will be lifted by this Feast of dance and music!

Twenty-two dancers and eleven musicians grace the stage, bringing the diversity of Celtic cultural traditions from Spain and Ireland with dance and music in this visually and musically exciting production. From the Jotas of Galicia - accompanied by its famous bagpipes (gaetas) - to Irish jigs, the Galician Muniera, Irish reels, Classical and Escuela Bolera Spanish dances and Irish step dances, and last but not least exciting Flamenco, Celtic Connection presents Spanish musical instruments and dances rarely seen in this country, allowing the strong and surprising cultural connections between Spain and Ireland to be observed. For this concert, the entire Alborada company is accompanied by featured artists from a cultural group performing Northern Spanish dance (accompanied by the gaetas (bagpipes) and drums. Our guest Irish Dance Company is accompanied by the Irish Band, Coolmagort, (whose principal musicians played with the Chieftains).

Embark on a journey back to Havana, Cuba in 1952, when Cuban social life, music and dancing were influenced by other world cultures including Spain and Argentina. On a warm tropical night at “Rick's Nightclub” our program will demonstrate the similarities between the sensuality of the Argentinean Tango and the more restrained, yet fiery Flamenco. The Alborada artists will entertain you with traditional Flamenco dances such as Farruca and Alegrías, along with Flamenco influenced by rhythms of Latin origin such as the lyrical Guajiras, and Classical dances including Zapateado, which were of interest to Cuban aficionados in the 1950's. Guest Argentinean dance artists, accompanied by an Argentinean band, will perform beautiful and sultry Tangos and waltzes.

Featuring a guest Mexican dance company and a Mexican Mariachi Band, this program demonstrates the similarities between Spanish and Mexican dances and music. Since Mexico was the trading post for Spain for several hundred years, many of its dances were influenced by the Spanish and European Court dances of that era, such as the Mexican Polkas, and the footwork of the Mexican dances of Jalisco. The “Zapateados” of both countries are fascinating to watch. The costumes are beautiful to behold, and several fusions dances are created.

A program that explores the roots of Flamenco in Gypsy (Roma) culture and the origins of Roma culture in India and Egypt. Depicts the journey, the migration of the Gypsies from India, through Egypt into Southern Spain. Guest artist included Bani Ray, a marvelous exponent of Indian dance, Rayhana with her beautiful style of belly dancing and many fusion pieces, also included a tabla player (drum of India).

Choreography and staging: Eva Lucena with Robert Maiorano. The poem of Lorca is about the Civil Guard sacking a Gypsy town and raping a young girl. The “Martinete” accompanied by the striking of an anvil is danced in this drama, as is “Siguiriyas”. The poem has music as a background and initiates with the burning of the town and rape, followed by the capture and thus shooting of Lorca.

Twenty minute drama of Lorca's friend who died in the bullring. Using the drama of Saetas (Gypsy religious singing, which also includes La Nana), Tientos, Siguiriyas, the ghost is brought back by the Gypsies to recreate the bullfight dance, Farruca, and the famous “Cinco de la Tarde” and “Café de Chinitas” from Lorca's poetry.

The story of Candelas, the Gypsy woman consumed with love for her unfaithful deceased husband and is tormented by his ghost. As Candelas struggles to free herself from her passion, Eva Lucena as the Sorceress and the Alborada dancers as the other Gypsy women attempt to exorcise his spirit from her in the Fire Dance. Principal singer and dancer Lisa Botalico, as Candelas, sings of her husband's faithlessness in the “Cancion del Amor Dolida” and the curse of love in “Cancion de Fuego Fatua”. The Spector of her husband continues to torment Candelas in his Dance of Terror. As Candelas is freed of her obsession, the Gypsies drive the Spector away. Candelas and the Gypsies celebrate her freedom with joyous dances such as Sevillanas, Alegrias and Caracoles.

Usually performed as the second half to El Amor Brujo. This scene depicts a smugglers cave and begins with a fight over a card game, with the Gypsy “moll” breaking up the fight by dancing. The scene continues with Gypsy Flamenco dances and smoldering duets are a major attraction of this second half.