El Macareno Quinte to provides a fabulous evening

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Last Thursday, the Spanish Embassy, in association with the Ward Theatre Foundation, introduced the culture of a land "where music and dance is just a part of every day life" to people from a land where music and dance mean as much. But in spite of a similarity in their passion, there are differences. This was brought to light at the Courtleigh Corporate Centre Auditorium located in St Andrew by the very dynamic group, El Macareno Quinteto.

In an engaging, light, humour-filled event titled Flamenco De Andalucia, Artes Y Sabores De Cordoba ("Art and Flavours of Cordoba') the culture agents sang, danced and strummed guitars, bringing much delight to their audience.

But before the audience was treated to this unique art form, they had to listen to remarks given by Her Excellency Celsa Nuño, ambassador of Spain and Jamaica's Olivia Grange, minister of sport, youth and culture.

Grange expressed profound gratitude for "the gracious support" from Spain through its embassy in Jamaica. She further elaborated on some of the ways in which support had been given.

"All of this speaks well of a country that is dedicated to the development of our country - and to that we are grateful," said Grange, who also demonstrated that Spanish was not her language of comfort.

Lots to boast about

Basking in the euphoria of commemorating the 519th year of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the America's, held on the previous day; the ambassador said "no other country can boast of a longer lasting relationship with Jamaica than Spain". And that the evening was about Jamaica's culture. She also added "there was no better way than to bring to Montego Bay and Kingston, an authentic cultural performance flown in especially for the occasion."

Her speech, punctuated with humour, Ambassador Nuña continued by saying she wanted the event not to be just a cultural one but one that was meaningful; "one that will build an awareness to the plight of a most important architecture and cultural land mark of Jamaica - The Ward Theatre."

Then it was time for the special guest to shine. Sitting on chairs, except when the two dancers rose to dance, the El Macareno Quinteto, gave the audience Flamenco De Andalucia. The refreshing performance took the forms of singing, playing of the guitar, dancing and clapping of hands and the very audible stomping of feet.

From the opening selection, Rumba performed "to say hello to Jamaica" (according to the Jose Urbano Cuesta (El Macareno) to the Lorqueñas, there was passion and a seductiveness that could almost be touched.

Garotìn was one of the seductive ones. Stolen from northern Spain, the five, four males and one female, from southern Spain entertained in a language only some were truly able to comprehend. Abandoning her long pink dress for a black pair of pants and shirt, along with red hat and belt Eva Maria Gonzalez Len was seductive with her every turn and body extensions.

While her counterpart, Angel Reyes Montes, literally worked up a bucketful of perspiration in the captivating earth shaking tap-dancing Soleˆ Por Bulerìas. On his departure from the stage, the ever witty El Macareno announced that he was heading to the shower. El Macareno also preceded each song with some background information or a story.

The tango, he explained did not come from Argentina, but from Spain. In this instance, the tango was sung from the sole cantor (singer) Juan Antonio Claus Fernandez, to the strumming of the guitarists El Macareno and Francisco Javier Muñoz Melero.

When the group finally played its last selection which had the two dancers performing together, it was enough to earn them a standing ovation.

Eva Maria Gonzalez León of El Macareno Quinteto dances up a storm at the Courtleigh Auditorium during the Embassy of Spain's Flamenco De Andalucia last Thursday.