KU News Release

LAWRENCE — Flamenco, an art form that has enchanted audiences in Spain for more than a century, soon will work its charms on Lawrence.

“Flamenco for Everyone” will feature demonstrations of flamenco techniques by University of Kansas dance professor Michelle Heffner Hayes and guitarists Beau Bledsoe and Frank Hoffman. The public is invited to attend this free event at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.

Flamenco, known for its soulful musicality and dramatic silhouettes, negotiates complex rhythmic and melodic structures by singers, guitarists and dancers. The presentation will explain the guidelines of flamenco and demonstrate how performers’ creativity results in captivating performances.

The audience will learn the distinctive rhythmic patterns of different song forms by “playing palmas” (rhythmic hand clapping). The performers will also demonstrate how the guitar and dance create a dialogue in live performance.

Heffner Hayes says this interactive approach results in a greater appreciation for flamenco.

“I find that most people enjoy the experience of watching live performance more deeply when they understand what the performers are trying to achieve, or the particular story behind a song or dance form,” she said.

“Flamenco for Everyone” aims to build upon a growing appetite for flamenco in the region. Just two weeks after the presentation, Spain’s acclaimed touring flamenco company Noche Flamenca will perform Nov. 14 at the Lied Center. Also, Heffner Hayes taught flamenco to more than 30 people this summer in a course at the Lawrence Arts Center.

Heffner Hayes has devoted years of training to flamenco, which she says is the most difficult art form she has ever studied. Following graduation from KU’s dance program with training in ballet, jazz and modern dance, Heffner Hayes began studying flamenco at graduate school in California in 1991.

“Once I started, I saw every movie, read every book, listened to every recording, sold my belongings to take master classes and courses with visiting artists from Spain and resident flamencos in the U.S.,” she said. “Eventually, I was able to travel to Spain and study with teachers there, and I continue to study.”

Heffner Hayes holds a doctorate in dance history and theory and has taught modern dance, composition and dance history as well as aesthetics, philosophy and criticism. She has performed with the postmodern dance companies of Susan Rose and Stephanie Gilliland and the flamenco company of Armando Neri; and has choreographed solo and group works in both the postmodern and flamenco dance traditions.

This is the second of four CLAS ACTS events this academic year. Upcoming events include an international trivia competition Feb. 7 at Liberty Hall and a performance and exploration of African-American music and writing on May 2. All CLAS ACTS events are free and open to the public.

CLAS ACTS is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with support from the Lawrence Arts Center and Liberty Hall. The goal of the series is to share the diverse wealth of the College faculty’s knowledge with the community in a manner that educates, entertains and engages the audience.