Dancing to the Spanish beat

Fiesta Flamenca group helps educate children on culture of dance

Coral Citron spends her days in her second-grade classroom at Gragson Elementary. During her down time, she is the founder and chief dancer in Fiesta Flamenca.

Last month, Citron won a $600 Jackpot Grant from the Nevada Arts Council. As a dance troupe, Fiesta Flamenca entertains with productions twice a year. As a nonprofit organization, the dancers perform at schools and libraries to educate children on the culture of Spanish dance.

Citron fell in love with flamenco when she traveled to Spain at age 18. She brought the Spanish culture back with her through dance. Fiesta Flamenca was born in 1997 out of the need for her students to perform.

"I think flamenco can be very addictive," Citron said. "It's very easy to fall in love with it."

It takes approximately 10 years to become thoroughly educated in the flamboyant dancing style, but dancers can start at any age. Citron passes her love of flamenco to children and senior citizens through classes in Sun City and in the southeast area.

"In ballet, once you're 40, 45, you're completely finished," Citron said. "In flamenco, you can dance forever."

Flamenco is unlike tap dancing. Instead of taps, nails are affixed to the bottoms of the dancer's shoes. Dancer's knees also stay bent, whereas tappers bend and straighten their knees as they dance. The steps add rhythmic percussion to the Spanish guitar and vocalist.

"When they're doing footwork, it's a percussion instrument," Citron said. "It's almost kind of like jazz. Everyone knows what they have to do, so the three blend. You can improv as long as they know what they're doing."

Sonia Santamaria came to the United States from Spain when she was 18. She found Citron by accident when she was looking for a flamenco teacher. For the last eight years, Citron has been her "adopted mother," she said.

"To start with beginners like us and bring us out to do shows, it's amazing. It's not just flamenco, but it's the thing that brought us together," Santamaria said. "I love flamenco. It's in my blood."

To her, flamenco and Fiesta Flamenca has been more than just dance. She's had two children and gone through a divorce during her time with Citron, who has helped Santamaria get over stage fright and keep her self-esteem above water.

"I always wanted to be a dancer, but I never had the nerve to do it. She motivated me," Santamaria said. "She's been very supportive."

It's a good time to be a flamenco dancer is Las Vegas. The style and culture is gradually working its way into the mainstream. The flowing skirts, the Spanish guitar and the rhythm draw people of all ages, Santamaria said.

"Some people have never seen it before. The kids... they love it. They love the energy. They love the colors," she said. "I think it's great to be dancing flamenco in Las Vegas."

Those interested in Fiesta Flamenca can call 254-3220.


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