Rayn: Flamenco for a New World comes to the San Juans
Published 1:30 am Friday, October 21, 2022
Submitted by Savannah Fuentes.
On Nov. 3, 4, and 5 Seattle-based Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes and singer/multi-instrumentalist, Diego Amador Jr., direct from Seville, will bring Rayn: Flamenco for a New World to the San Juan Islands. Savannah’s latest production is a new beginning for the busiest Flamenco dancer in the Pacific Northwest, she has designed new costumes, set new choreography, and had a new dance floor constructed for this tour. Rayn symbolizes the fresh new start that comes after substantial rainfall while also paying homage to Savannah’s Seattle roots. Savannah and Diego have forged a unique artistic partnership, performing throughout Washington, Oregon, and California since 2019. Diego comes from the legendary Amador family, famous for fusing Flamenco with blues, jazz, and salsa music. Diego is a powerful singer as well as a sublime guitarist. He also plays piano, bass, and percussion. Rayn is a unique blend of authentic Spanish Flamenco music and powerful innovative dance This event is part of an extensive tour.
Fuentes, Flamenco dancer, and producer, is the only touring artist in the Pacific Northwest region with deep connections to Flamenco culture, presenting “…Real Flamenco, straight and stunning,” (Regina Hackett, Seattle Post Intelligencer.) She has independently produced and danced in over 400 performances and workshops featuring internationally recognized Spanish Flamenco artists, including Diego Amador Jr., Saray Munoz, and Jesus Montoya.
Savannah Fuentes was born in Seattle to parents of Puerto Rican and Irish ancestry. Her fascination with Flamenco dance (baile) and singing (cante) came to her in early childhood, fueled by watching a Flamenco performance on television “…and, although I was just a child, I felt an immediate connection to the art form.”
Fuentes considers Flamenco a lifelong study, an artistic journey she began in her late teens that continues to this day. She has studied with many notable Flamenco artists including Guadiana, Joaquin Grilo, Eva Yerbabuena, El Farru, and Isabel Bayon. Ms. Fuentes attributes her formation as an artist to her most significant mentor, Maestra Sara de Luis.
Accompanied by her notable guest artists, Fuentes tours the West Coast regularly bringing delighted audiences authentic, passionate Flamenco performance art, often performing for communities that would otherwise be unable to enjoy this unique art form.
From Seville, Amador was born into flamenco royalty. His father is the celebrated flamenco pianist/composer Amador and his uncles are Rafael and Raimundo Amador (Pata Negra). The 29-year-old Amador is an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist who recently released his first full-length album, Presente en el Tiempo.
From a very young age, he began performing and touring with some of Spain’s top flamenco artists, including Remedios Amaya, La Susi, Lole Montoya, Farruquito, and Joaquín Cortés. He has also worked alongside jazz greats such as Pat Metheny, Bireli Lagrene, and Charlie Haden. Known mainly as a Flamenco singer, he also plays guitar, piano, and percussion.
Lopez Island – Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.
Woodmen Hall, 4102 Fishermen Bay Rd., Lopez Island, WA, 98261
tickets: general admission $22, VIP seating $40, student/low-income $18, child $12
Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/429502994017
Friday Harbor – Nov. 4, 8 p.m.
San Juan Island Grange
152 First Street North, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250t
tickets: general admission $27, VIP seating $40, Student $18, child $12
Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/405412598997
Orcas Island Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Orcas Island Winery
2371 Crow Valley Road, Eastsound, WA, 98245
tickets: general admission $30, VIP seating $42,
Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/417666831737
