Photo: Liz Rosa
El Viaje
"El Viaje" is a 60 min project/show inspired by a poem by Eric Sanchez, "y tu, que tiennes edad?" The poem suggests that judging a person by their age is irrelevant because its our life experiences, the most memorable moments that really matter.
In the poem, Sanchez describes many special moments that we all have experienced. Out of these I have chosen 7 moments from the poem to set dances to: Loss, A Kiss, Rejection, The Dinner Party, Watching life pass by from a park bench, Embrace, and Childhood dreams.
I have completed 3 out of the 7 segments. I plan to complete the project by February 2025.
Each segment is set to different music (Live/recorded) and using a different flamenco dance form. Each segment is also using a different tool used in flamenco, such as Fans, Shawls, Castanets, Bata de Cola(Long train Dress) Hat and Baston.
Photo: Liz Rosa
Project Created by: Linda Hayes - choreographer/director/producer
Key Artistic Collaborators:
Dancers: Amanda Collinge Bae, Allyson Riley, Kylan Wagner and Melissa Panetta
Professional Ballet & Contemporary & Tap dancers.
Charo Tsai , Kemi Craig - Flamenco dancers
Costume Designer - Candella - Spain
Mentor & Outside eye - Pam Rosa
Videographer & editing - Johnathan Hinton
Musicians : Guitarist/Percussionist - Josue Tacoronte Otero
Singers/Percussionists/Guitarists - TBA
Performance type: This work is built for theatre
How do you define this work: Dance/Theatre - Flamenco fusion
Length of performance: 60 minutes
Audience type: General Audience
General Technical Requirements:
For each segment, there is a different scene:
1. Loss - lightning
2. Rejection ; scene 1 - one without props solo with Cape
scene 2 - in the bedroom with a large mirror
3. Embrace; Lighting
4. The Dinner Party - Scene with table and people seated around the table
5. Watching life pass by on a park bench - Bench with projection of a park
6. a Kiss- a evening scene under a lamp post
7. Childhood dreams: Sitting on a rocking chair
A wooden floor would be preferable for flamenco foot work, but a marley floor would be sufficient. A theatre that holds 300 - 500 people would be good.
Green room for artists to change.
Required amount of time for tech set up: 2 hours
Number of Performers on tour (including choreographer): 10 artists
Number of Support Staff on Tour: Unsure at this moment
Availabilities: 2025 Spring Season (Mar - Jun), 2025/26 Season
Linda Hayes
Linda Hayes - Dancer/Musician/Educator/Choreographer has been active in the arts for over 25 years. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she studied with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in the professional program where she has trained in all genres of dance with Flamenco being her forte.
Linda visits Spain yearly to study and perform. Her teachers are: Ana Morales, Belen Maya, Gala Vivancos, Eduardo Guererro, Marco Flores and Rocio Molina.
Linda works with flamenco fusion and has produced, directed and choreographed 3 videos. "Sabor Cubano" was commissioned in 2021 by Rosario Flamenco for live production. Recently received a residency by the Dance Centre of 40 hours of rehearsal space and filming/video/technical support in the Faris Theatre for her project "El Viaje"
As a pianist, Linda is a graduate from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's degree in Piano and Music Theory
Performance History & Upcoming Performances
Annex theatre - December 2021 - Sabor Cubano
Faris theatre - April 2022 The Dance Centre - Sabor Cubano & Vivaldi Movimiento
Faris theatre - February 2023 - The Dance Centre - Show are assorted works
Project Details
Children & adults are welcome to try dance & rhythm workshops for a small fee.
Classes can be 45 mins in length.
Outreach Activities
Workshops and pre show talks for the general public can be arranged to explain the different tools use in flamenco along with rhythm demonstrations.
Workshops for the beginner to try out some of the tools.