Dance--Performance

 The stage will sizzle when the national tour of Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca—a passionate combination of flamenco dance, music and beautiful costumes--hits the stage as part of the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana (PASA) season at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 26 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette.

Hailed by critics everywhere for its exciting and transcendent performances, Noche Flamenca is recognized as the most authentic flamenco touring company in world. Under the direction of Martin Santangelo, the award-winning Noche Flamenca has become Spain’s most successful touring company. Formed in 1993 by Santangelo and his award-winning wife, Soledad Barrio, they have successfully brought to the stage the essence, purity, and integrity of one of the world’s most complex and mysterious art forms. Noche Flamenca highlights include regular seasons in New York City and Buenos Aires, performances in Greece and Egypt and annual tours to North America.

 "Flamenco dance can be considered a cousin to tap dance," says Jacqueline Lyle, PASA's executive director. "Unlike tap shoes, which have taps on the soles of the shoes, flamenco shoes have nail heads. Tap dancers tend to bounce up, while flamenco dancers work hard down into the floor. When flamenco dance combines its fiery character with the incredible work of this company's flamenco guitarists and singers, the entire show becomes spell-binding."

Tickets for the evening performance are available by calling TicketMaster at 1(800) 745-3000, by visiting any TicketMaster outlet or online at www.pasaonline.org.

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca are supported by presenting sponsors Chevron and Preis and Roy. Additional support for this performance includes grants from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Acadiana Center for the Arts; and the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and additional funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Community Connections Fund of the MetLife Foundation.

For more information about all upcoming Performing Arts Society of Acadiana presentations, visit www.pasaonline.org or call (337) 237-2787.