7:00 pm - DOORS OPEN
7:30 pm - CONCERT BEGINS
Flamenco is an art form centuries old, that embraces the exchange of new ideas, and fosters boldness and originality. While the craft and tradition of flamenco continue to flourish, the aficionados and performers still take pride in the art form’s innovative and inclusive nature. Similar to contemporary jazz, Flamenco is influenced by and born of many cultures - Gypsy, Jewish, Moorish and indigenous Andalusian. It is infused with the politics and class struggles of these different ethnic groups.
BEAU BLEDSOE’S performances have been described as “pointedly musical” by Paul Horsley of The Kansas City Star. This stylistically eclectic musician performs and records classical music, jazz and folkloric music from around the world as he seeks to integrate different musical cultures with diverse audiences. With his many varied projects and ensembles, Beau has performed extensively throughout Europe, Russia, Asia, South America and North America. In addition, he has produced fifteen recordings under his recording label Tzigane. Beau is currently artistic director of Ensemble Ibérica which explores the music of Spain, Portugal, and the colonial Americas while educating the public about Iberian cultural influence.
MELINDA HEDGECORTH has been living the last 14 years in one of the capitol cities of flamenco dance: Sevilla, Spain. Surrounded by artists and experts, she has studied, performed and taught flamenco, gaining experience onstage with local musicians in performances at flamenco clubs such as Peña Flamenca Pies de Plomo or cultural centers such as the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo. She has been especially influenced by studies with flamenco prodigies of our day such as Israel Galván, Mercedes Ruíz, Belén Maya, Isabel Bayón and La Moneta among many others.
COLEEN DIEKER, a violinist, pianist and vocalist, Coleen Dieker is a Kansas City native and a Berklee alumna. She has performed with many local and national touring acts, and performs regularly in the Kansas City area. She enjoys a stylistically diverse career as a musical collaborator. She is currently the fiddler in Flannigan’s Right Hook, recently voted best local band in KC Pitch weekly. She enjoys extreme sports such as skydiving, snowboarding, and wakeboarding.
MICHAEL MCCLINTOCK is a guitarist with a background in multiple styles of music including classical, flamenco, Brazilian and Jazz. Since graduating from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, Michael has continued his education at the Institute of the Superior Arts in Havana, Cuba studying the Cuban tres. In 2016, Michael and his wife, Cuban national, Dalida Barrios, created the project "Cubanisms," to increase awareness of Cuban culture in the USA. The project features a traditional Cuban musical ensemble and guided tours to Cuba. “Cubanisms” released its debut album Acento Cubano in October 2017. Recently, Michael was invited to participate in the Jazz Plaza International Festival in Havana sharing the stage with Victor Goines and Ivan "Melon" Lewis. This concert will be released on the Cuban record label BIS music in 2018.
JOHN CURREY John’s diverse musical interests and explorations has resulted in an eclectic mix of performance credits including with the Kansas City Symphony, Ensemble Iberica, Czech National Orchestra, newEar contemporary chamber ensemble, American Ballet Theater, Caribbean Steel pan band, and the Kansas City Brass. His Flamenco performances include with flamenco guitar virtuosos Antonio Andradeand Miguel Sotelo, and in a variety of Flamenco dance and music ensembles including Flamenco Mío, Flamenco de los Barrios, and Olé Music and Dance of Spain. He is a member of “Cubanisms” salsa band Tri-Percussion group, Kansas City Brassworks brass quintet, Broken String Latin Jazz trio, Slim Hanson and the Poor Choices country band, Echoes of Africa drumming ensemble, and is Director of Marimba Sol de Chiapas Mexican marimba band. Mr. Currey's Modern Dance accompanying has been featured in a variety of Master Classes including members of the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Diavolo, and Paul Taylor Dance Company; for David Parsons, Leni Wylliams, Denise Jefferson, Edgar Anido, Cleo Parker Robinson, Troy Powell, and others. John's dance music commissions include pieces for the Wylliams/Henry Dance Company, and as composer and performer for Suzanne Ryan Strati's A Tulip Unfolding dance suite.