Dance Review: Los Vivancos FlaMENco

Iridescent red light floods the stage as a jazzed up version of flamenco music is played by an unusually large group of men.

By ORA BRAFMAN
Israel Festival Los Vivancos FlaMENco (Spain) Iridescent red light floods the stage as a jazzed up version of flamenco music is played by an unusually large group of men. The seven players soon stand up and assume their positions. They are the brothers of the Vivanco "FlaMENco" family, dressed in red suits. In 70 minutes they must prove that they can deliver a highly entertaining show based on flamenco. Perhaps flamenco purists would shudder at the musical salad these brothers concoct with tidbits of traditional dance mixed with the popular. But then, it fits their artistic direction like a glove. In recent decades, traditional flamenco has evolved and most current artists look for more contemporary means of expression. Others take a more experimental approach, but the "FlaMENco" boys have created an entirely new niche altogether - a boy-band niche - that surpass all similar attempts. Well versed in various techniques, they freely use the entire arsenal of flamenco moves while showing off bits of their ballet training. Most of them can do passable hip-hop routines and martial arts stances laced with more popular show-dance. With their proven strong musical training and natural charm, they turn out to be a pretty versatile performing bunch. But somehow between the double pirouettes, handstands and backflips, accompanied by loud electronic instruments, the flamenco gets squashed. But with mounds of testosterone, light feet, acrobatics, theatrics and natural stage presence, they form a delightfully fun ensemble with unique brotherly camaraderie.