San Francisco’s vibrant arts scene welcomes a milestone celebration as Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco presents “De Ayer a Hoy/From Yesterday to Today” at the Herbst Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 17. Founded in 1966, the company is the nation’s oldest continuous flamenco troupe and uses the evening to honor its legacy while looking forward with three newly commissioned works and six re‑imagined pieces.
Local roots and a new generation
Carola Zertuche, the company’s longtime artistic director, has led Theatre Flamenco for the past 20 years. She organized the production with a small crew of volunteers and a grant from the Zellerbach Family Fund, supplemented by contributions from her students. The show features a mix of veteran performers and emerging artists, including Spanish dancer Adrian Santana, who co‑created a duet honoring founder Adela Clara, and powerhouse vocalists Amparo Heredia and José “Cachito” Díaz, both from renowned flamenco families.
Honoring the past, embracing change
“It’s not about bringing the company into the past,” Zertuche explained. “It’s about how it’s changing.” The program revisits classic pieces such as Miguel Santos’s 1989 “Zapateado/Farruca,” re‑worked for today’s audience, while also showcasing new choreography that reflects contemporary influences. Video installations from the company’s extensive archives—dating back to the early 1970s—play throughout the theater, offering a visual history of flamenco’s evolution in the Bay Area.
Challenges and community support
The production arrives at a delicate moment for the local flamenco scene. The loss of Nina Menendez, a beloved vocalist and founder of the Bay Area Flamenco Festival, dealt a significant blow to the community. Zertuche noted that many dancers have left the Bay Area because sustaining a career in flamenco has become increasingly difficult. Yet she remains optimistic, saying, “When I’m in rehearsal, yes, yes, yes!”
Despite these challenges, the company’s studio on Van Ness Avenue continues to thrive, offering classes, workshops, and intimate performances. The space, located at 670 South Van Ness Ave., remains a hub where audiences sit in a semi‑circle just a few feet from the stage, fostering a direct connection between performers and viewers.
Collaborations and local talent
Long‑time collaborators such as choreographer Cristina Hall, dancer Nol Simonse, and musician Nevarez Encinias appear in the evening’s lineup. Hall, who first met Zertuche at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, remains a creative partner, contributing to the company’s ongoing commitment to artistic freedom and cultural authenticity.
“We respect flamenco,” Zertuche said. “The singing is the most important, but every show we do is totally different.” This philosophy underscores the company’s dedication to preserving the art form’s soul‑bearing spirit—what poet Federico García Lorca called “duende”—while allowing it to adapt to modern sensibilities.
Tickets and community involvement
“De Ayer a Hoy” is a ticketed event, and tickets are available through the Herbst Theatre box office and online. The production not only celebrates six decades of flamenco in San Francisco but also serves as a rallying point for local artists, students, and supporters who wish to keep the tradition alive for future generations.
Original reporting: Mission Local — read the source article.
