New York celebrates with applause, opening its doors to DanzActiva/Paulette Beauchamp's "Encuentro de pies, tambores y faldas" ("An encounter of feet, drums and skirts").

(click here for original spanish version)

New York's Latin and international artistic communities made themselves felt with standing ovations and heartfelt sentiments while describing, at sold-out shows, the U.S. debut of "Encuentro de pies, tambores y faldas", by Paulette Beauchamp/ DanzActiva.

"This work belongs on Broadway" and "We need works like this one, especially in this day and age we're living in" were the most oft-repeated comments from the show's attendees, during its four scheduled and one added presentations, accommodating an eager audience.

The performance highlighted the work of Puerto Rican dancers Damaris Ferrer (flamenco bailaora) and Paulette Beauchamp (modern and bomba dance, choreographer) with Bhavani, Kathak dancer of Hungarian gypsy background. Kathak is the classical dance of northern India. Bhavani is currently performing Kathak in Cirque de Soleil's most recent production.

"Encuentro de pies, tambores y faldas" debuted last year in San Juan, Puerto Rico's Teatro Tapia, and was performed in New York's Teatro La Tea, located in Manhattan's Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural Center, from November 7-10, with the sponsorship of Puerto Rico's Institute of Culture (supported by the National Endowment for the Arts) and its vision of promoting local works of high caliber at an international level.

A friendly drum duel between Indian percussionist Naren Budhakar and Puerto Rico's virtuoso percussionist Richie Flores; a live flamenco party with artists from New York, San Antonio and Florida; and a sultry Puerto Rican bomba fused with modern dance and Kathak flourishes all became interwined and fused with Puerto Rico's folk music and the musical compositions of cuatro player Carlos Bedoya-motifs of a live dance and musical journey from Puerto Rico to Spain to India, which takes its cue from the fascinating cultural influences exerted by the gypsies (Romany) who traveled from northern India to southern Spain (Andalucía), and from there on to the New World. "Although these historical facts, like many other vastly interesting aspects of our culture are practically unknown, we have opened our minds and hearts to this cultural heritage," said Carlos Bedoya, musical director of "Encuentro."

Paulette comments "there was a year of persistent study in Puerto Rico, Spain and Florida that allowed the Puerto Rico musicians to interact with the New York musicians. Instead of taking turns in exposing their respective styles, or doing a simple flamenco number, for the first time we accomplished a complete integration and understanding within a flamenco context." This allowed bomba musicians Ángel Reyes and Otoquí Reyes to accompany with bulería polyrhythms Carlos Bedoya's Puerto Rican cuatro, playing a flamenco soleá. This effort has also spontaenously spawned behind-the-scenes plans for a "RE-ENCUENTRO," (re encounter) which will tour Puerto Rico during March and April 2003.

To all those who attended (regardless of nationality), the event became a dynamic of reaffirmation, joy and communion. The idea that these apparently distant cultures share much more than what is commonly recognized was evident on and off stage. Paulette said: "Beyond the virtuoso performances of all involved in this presentation, its message of unity, respect and spirituality took over in the end. We are proud to feel that the public responded mostly to this aspect; that is what keeps us going."

"…(for) all involved in this presentation, its message of unity, respect and spirituality took over in the end."

Visit DanzActiva's homepage