That Happy Feeling - Bert Kaempfert ("Sandy Becker" theme)

"That Happy Feeling" by Bert Kaempfert This song was used as the theme song for "The Sandy Becker Show" on WNEW Channel 5 - New York in the early 1960s.

Spain's Granada Flamenco Ballet to perform in PH

Straight from the heart of Seville, Spain, Granada Flamenco Ballet is set to perform its riveting rendition of "Báilame (Dance for Me)" for the first time on the Philippine stage on September 20 and 21 at the Casino Español de Cebu in Cebu City, and on September 22 and 23 at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater) inside the CCP Complex.

This production is a collaboration between the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Embassy of Spain in Manila, the Casino Español de Cebu, and the Flamenco Agency from Seville to commemorate the Philippines and Spain's diplomatic relations for 75 years.

Flamenco dances often demonstrate stories through graceful movements and intricate footwork coupled with acoustics.

"Granada Flamenco Ballet is more than a dance ensemble; they are the living testament to the art form that influenced many Filipinos. The fusion between history and artistry will definitely create an unforgettable experience that appeals to both aficionados and newcomers to the Flamenco scene," said CCP vice-chair Margie Moran-Floirendo.

Báilame is a ballet performance focusing on finding a greater balance between music and dance. For this show, the audience will be enthralled by the absence of a plot, making everything else focused on the dancers' movements. 

The repertoire for the Philippine premiere will focus on sensations and feelings associated with the sound of the Flamenco shoes or castanets, other acoustics, or the most profound silence while dancing.

Founded in 2007 by Dr. Jaime Trancoso, the Granada Flamenco Ballet has taken its artistry to international audiences, earning a reputation of having the best Flamenco artists in Spain.

Similarly, the dance group has graced prestigious venues across the globe, such as the National Center for the Performing Arts Opera House in Beijing (NCPA), Shanghai International Dance Center Grand Theatre (SIDC), Aga Khan Museum (Canada), and the Teatro Campoamor de Oviedo (Spain).

"While keeping the traditional elements of Flamenco, Granada Flamenco Ballet has a fearless approach to fusion. And with each performance, they exceed expectations and leave a lasting impression," shared CCP president Michelle Nikki Junia. Flamenco dances often demonstrate stories through graceful movements and intricate footwork coupled with acoustics. Spain also had a significant influence on the Philippine dance traditions during the 16th century.

This led to the birth of the country's national dance, Cariñosa, and other famous Flamenco-inspired folk dances, such as Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Zarzuela, and Tinikling, which are still performed with pride during important events up to this day.

"Filipinos love to dance. It is deep within our roots. To see where it bloomed would definitely be an experience. This staging is also a testament to the rich blending of cultures that lived through time," said CCP artistic director Dennis Marasigan.

Promoting authentic Flamenco production on the local stages strengthens CCP's mission and dedication to providing more diverse cultural experiences for Filipino audiences. CCP also hopes this staging will inspire the younger generation to engage in the arts.Granada Flamenco Ballet's Báilame tickets are available at Ticketworld.

Legendary pianists Raul Sunico and Rowena Arrieta to perform together again

The duo concert will be held at the Metropolitan Theater

BY MANILA BULLETIN

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Sunico and Arrieta brought Filipino piano wizardry to stages all over the world. ‘Ritmo at Romansa’ with them on two pianos will give today’s generation a taste of their incredible talent.

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After over a decade, pianists Raul Sunico and Rowena Arrieta will be performing together again in “Ritmo at Romansa,” a duo concert to be held at the Metropolitan Theater on Saturday, Sept. 30.

Sunico and Arrieta brought Filipino piano wizardry to stages all over the world. “Ritmo at Romansa” with them on two pianos will give today’s generation a taste of their incredible talent.  At the same time, it will give their followers a chance to once again experience the unique artistry that their fingers can create.

After obtaining two undergraduate degrees, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics cum laude, Sunico continued his studies in the US. He got his Master of Music degree from the Julliard School in New York and his Doctorate in Philosophy, major in Piano Performance from New York University. 

Raul Sunico

Sunico has performed in more than 32 countries and had been honored with numerous awards.  In 1979 in Italy, he won the Silver Medal at the Viotti International Piano Competition and was a finalist at the Busoni International Competition.  A year later he was awarded the Henry Cowell Prize at the University of Maryland International Piano Competition in the US. He was conferred the Steinway Artist Award in 2019, one of the most coveted prizes in the global piano scene.

Sunico is at present the dean of the St. Paul College of Music and the Performing Arts. He served as president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines from 2010 to 2017 and was dean of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music from 2002 to 2016.  

Arrieta was one of the first graduates of the Philippine High School for the Arts in Makiling.  She later studied and graduated with the highest honors from the Moscow Conservatory of Music, where Russian National Artist Yevgeny Malinin was among her teachers. She continued her studies at the Manhattan School of Music and was awarded the Elva Van Gelder Scholarship.

Rowena Arrieta

Arrieta won fifth place with the title of Laureate at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow at the age of 18. She later won first prize at the Jose Iturbi International Piano Competition in Spain. 
She made her American debut at the Lincoln Center in New York. She has since then performed at concerts around Europe, the US, and the Philippines. Reviews described her playing as “fevered demonic intensity and gentle sublime introspection” in The New York Times and “a combination of purity and fire” in The Daily News. 

Sunico and Arrieta have put together a mix of old and new classical and pop pieces for “Ritmo at Romansa.” Foremost among these are Filipino compositions from the 19th century. Discovered only recently, they will be performed for the first time. 

These are the “Simoun Overture” and “Romanza Appasionata” by Juan Hernandez, “Sayaw (Festival Dance)” by Antonio Regalario, “Mandolina” by Jose Estella, “Danse Compestre, ob.11a” by Julio Nakpil, “La Fuerza del Amor” by Diego Perez, and “Kandingan” by Rodolfo Cornejo. “Poeme of more recent vintage” by Carmencita Arambulo is also included.
Sunico and Arrieta are also set to perform some of their favorite pieces like the “Italian Polka” by Sergei Rachmaninoff, “Libertango” by Astor Piazolla, “Gayane Ballet Suite” by Aram Kachaturian, and the “Blue Danube Fantasy” by Johann Strauss.

In a move to popularize Filipino music on the classical concert stage, Sunico and Arrieta have included familiar titles expressly arranged for “Ritmo at Romansa.” 

“Ritmo at Romansa” is directed by Monino Duque, presented by Musika Pilipinas, and produced by SATV.  Proceeds from the show will benefit the PARC Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the enrichment of education and the arts among young people.
Call +63 917 804 1820.