The VIP public of the Flamenco Festival of New York: the mythical Russian dancer Baryshnikov, the saxophonist of the Rolling Stones, the former minister Bibina Aido and the mayor of Granada

What are the mythical Russian dancer in common Mikhail Baryshnikovwho has also made an actor in several films and had a recurring role in the series Sex in New York; The saxophonist Tim Rieswho usually work with Rolling Stones; The mayor of Miami or the Mayor of Granadain addition to the former minister Bibiana Aid?

All of them have surrendered to flamenco and have come to any of the shows that have been seen these days in the flamenco festival of New York, which directs and created the Cordoba Miguel Marín and that has been held from March 5 to 15. The twenty -up of this contest, dedicated to Lorca and Granada, has hung the poster of “There are no tickets” In almost all its functions. The New York theaters who have programmed flamenco have been filled with anonymous audience and also with much VIP.

The most emotional scene was seen after acting Eva Yerbabuena In the New York City Center with its show Yerbagüena (bright dark)for which he has just been nominated for the Olivier Award, the most prestigious of British theater. The public ended up applauding to rage. And among the spectators was the Russian teacher Mikhail Baryshnikov, who, at the end of the assembly, wanted to congratulate the dancer.

“Can I hug him?”Eva Yerbabuena proclaimed excitedly when she left her dressing room in Albornoz and saw Baryyshnikov himself waiting for her. Moving, both melted into a long hug. The choreographer already knew that the New York public is special and “has a brutal need for flamenco,” as he said in an interview with El Mundo. But you could not imagine that nothing less than the one considered “Best ballet dancer” He was going to fall to his art.

From Baryshnikov, the influential critic Clive Barnes He said it was “The most perfect dancer he has ever seen”. Not only did he dedicate himself to ballet. In 1977, he received an Oscar nomination the best cast actor and a gold balloon nomination for his interpretation of Yuri Kopeikin in the film Decisive step. In addition, he starred in the movie White nights With Gregory Hines, Helen Mirren and Isabella Rossellini. And it was the boyfriend of the protagonist of the television series Sex in New York In one of the seasons.

The saxophonist of the Stones

He was not the only VIP seduced by flamenco. One of the fixed to the flamenco festival held every year in New York is the saxophonist Tim Riesknown because he usually works with the Rolling Stones. Precisely with the British group and after a performance in Spain years ago it had a Flechazo with the jondo. It was after a concert in Madrid, when they were organized a party in which the dancer and choreographer acted Sara baras. From there, the musician worked with her and always goes to the shows that are programmed in the city of skyscrapers.

Tim Ries went to the guitar concert of Juan Habichuela Nieto In Joe & Diacriticalacute; s New York Pub and was also in the guitarist Carlos de Jacoba and the pianist Zaccai Curtis In Jazz at Lincoln Center. In this, the saxophonist even took the stage “and gave us A Momentazo“, says excited Miguel Maríndirector of the Flamenco Festival. He did the same last year with the group The crumbs.

On the stage, there was a great connection between Motril’s guitarist (Granada) of Jacoba and the American pianist Curtis, winner of a Grammy. “The Black sounds Of those who speak Lorca de Granada and the Harlem found, “Marín summarizes. The presence of Ries and his saxo was the icing for an exciting concert.

Bibina aid

Another fixed at the NY flamenco festival is Bibiana Aido, which was the Prime Minister of Equality of the government, in the Zapatero stage. His support for Jondo art in the city of skyscrapers is prior to his stage of Minister and dates back to his charge as director of the Andalusian agency for flamenco under the Junta de Andalucía. Since then, it has been linked to this event. In recent years, Aido works as UN Advisor In women’s programs and their stays in New York are frequent.

Among the VIP public there were also politicians. The mayor of Granada, the popular Marifrán Carazothe Councilor for Culture of this city, Juan Ramón Ferreirain addition to a delegation of the Diputación de Granada, headed by its president, Francisco Pedro Rodríguez Guerrero (PP), they went to various shows of the flamenco Festival of NY. This year, both institutions have collaborated with the event, which has a total budget of one million eurosincluding the flamenco assemblies that have also been seen in Miami, Chicago and San Francisco.

Other institutions that have collaborated in this edition of the Festival are the Cervantes Institute, whose director Luis García Montero He has also attended NY and has participated in a round table on Lorca; he National Institute of Performing Arts and Music (INAEM) y Spanish Cultural Action (AC/E), which is a public entity dedicated to promoting the culture of Spain. Among all public institutions contribute 17% of the event budget.

Concert “Joya”

Miguel Marín has been excited about the level of this year of the appointment, in which the public is every time “more mature and more capable “to appreciate nuances and value small format concerts, more intimate, such as Juan Habichuela Nietowhich was “a jewel.”

“New York wants flamenco” And so the public told La Bailaora Sara Jiménez After his show, Marín has highlighted. Also surprised the “dance level” of Patricia Guerrero and Alfonso Liñánwho showed their Alter Ego In two functions, one of them for children between 8 and 12 years old, who enjoyed enthusiastic of the assembly, shouting “Olé and Olé”. This recital was attended by the mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava.

Marín has also valued the “freshness” of the singer Kiki Room at the opening of the festival and the solidity of the singer’s proposal Marina Heredia. With the assembly Dead of love From the company of the choreographer and dancer Manuel Liñánthe New York City Center literally fell into applause. After this edition, the efforts are already focused on the Vigaquinta, which will be held in 2026. There will be surprises.