“Oscar” tells the story of the spectacular life and flamenco works of dancer, choreographer and maestro Oscar Nieto, brought to life by the professional flamenco dancers he mentored throughout his storied career and the musicians with whom he has shared the stage. “Oscar” features an award-winning cast of five dancers, two guitarists, two singers and a percussionist performing a selection of Oscar Nieto’s most treasured dance and music works. Spanning from the early 1970s to the present, these choreographies are interspersed with archival material and stories from Oscar’s own life — from his youth working the fields from Texas to Los Angeles, to his years touring internationally with Jose Greco, Lola Montes, and Antonio’s Ballet Siluetas, to his decades in Vancouver, where he continues to build a rich and inclusive community of talented and joyful flamenco artists and aficionados.

“Oscar” is a work of love, created in collaboration with artists he has mentored, in celebration of all that he has given the flamenco and dance communities of Canada, and in close collaboration with Oscar himself. A nationwide community of artists, afficionados and fans will gather in Vancouver to celebrate this truly remarkable man.

CREDITS:

“Oscar” is presented by TFM Flamenco in collaboration with Caravan World Rhythms.

Oscar Nieto, Artistic Director and Choreographer

Cast:

Gerardo Alcalá, Guitar
Maria Avila, Dance
Kirill Deljanin, Dance
Alvaro Echanove, Cante
Lia Grainger, Dance
Michelle Harding, Dance
Kasandra “La China”, Dance
Kelty McKerracher, Cante
Peter Mole, Guitar
Davide Sampaolo, Percussion

Production:

Don Thorsness, Lighting Design
Lia Grainger, Projection Design
Catarina Rodriguez Lopez, Costume Creation
Monica Thorsness, Stage Manager

Created and presented with the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the British Columbia Arts Council.

BIOGRAPHY:

Oscar Nieto is one of the original pioneers of flamenco in Vancouver where he has performed, taught and promoted the art for more than 40 years. He founded his dance company, Mozaico de Danzas, in Los Angeles in 1972. This was the seed that would eventually grow to become Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy and the professional company Mozaico Flamenco Dance Theatre. Through his many years as a mentor and role model, Oscar has become a respected pillar of Vancouver’s vital flamenco community. Oscar has been one of North America’s most acclaimed flamenco dancers since launching his professional dance career at the Chicago Lyric Opera House in 1969. Since his debut performance, Oscar has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments, including working with Lola Montes and her Spanish Ballet and the Jose Greco Company; touring Europe with Antonio’s Ballet Silouetas; and performing and choreographing for the Boston Ballet, the Boston Flamenco Ballet, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver Opera.

A charismatic and consummate performer, Oscar has been called “a flamenco Fred Astaire” by the LA Times. His impeccable technique, striking choreography, and irresistible stage presence have brought countless devotees to the arts of flamenco and Spanish dance. The recipient of numerous grants in support of his work, Oscar has dedicated much of his life to the study of the evolution of Spanish dance and flamenco. His productions have combined his vast knowledge of the traditions of Spanish dance arts with his unstoppable innovative spirit, including multimedia elements, non-traditional instrumentation and contemporary choreographic fusions.