 Juan Talavera
Saturday, September 26, 2009 / 7:30 p.m.
Lobero Theatre, 33. E. Canon Perdido
Juan Talavera (Los Angeles) dancer, choreographer, director, and master teacher, will be presented with the Festival’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Talavera, a pioneer in California’s flamenco community, has studied and performed with many of the leading Spanish flamenco masters and performed for over 15 years in Santa Barbara during the city-wide Fiesta celebrations. He tours with his company and continues to make artistic contributions to the development of the next generation of flamencos.
The special award presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. and the María Juncal performance follows immediately after the presentation.
Biography
Talavera is a native of East Los Angeles where, at the age of 12, he began his initial studies of flamenco with the famous master Antonio Triana. In later years he studied with Luisa Triana, Ciro, Manolo Marin, and Jose Galván, all prominent flamenco masters. In the early 1960s Talavera first performed at the landmark El Paseo Restaurant in the heart of Santa Barbara’s cultural district. Later in the 1960s , he performed at the Lobero Theatre where he was introduced by Fiesta’s El Presidente, Dr. Michael Lemus. Talavera, and his company of Spanish and flamenco dancers, returned to the Lobero during Fiesta for 15 consecutive years, a record that has not been equaled by anyone since. He was one of the first flamenco dance teachers in Santa Barbara, working with the Rose Mary Cruz and Kathy Cota dance studios. He still performs during Old Spanish Days’ La Fiesta Pequeña at the Santa Barbara Mission. Talavera has also performed as guest artist with Antonio Triana, Luisa Triana, Carmen Mora, Rosa Montoya, Lourdes Rodriguez, Linda Vega, María Bermudez, Yolanda Arroyo, La Tania, Yaelisa and Lola Montes.
In motion pictures and television, he has performed with many of Hollywood’s leading stars, such as Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, Edward James Olmos, John Wayne, Andy Garcia, Bob Hope and many others. He also appeared in the daytime TV drama, General Hospital.
To expand his knowledge of flamenco, he has participated in workshops offered in California by Spanish artists in residence, such as Juana Amaya, María Del Mar Moreno, Juan de Juan, Andres Peña and with a current giant in flamenco, Antonio Canales. To further his studies of flamenco, Talavera travels to Spain to attend the annual Jerez Flamenco Festival, where he studies with Manolete, Angelita Gomez, Ana María Gonzales, Javier La Torre and Javier Barón. In Sevilla, a major center of flamenco, Talavera continues to meet and study with some of the most acclaimed flamenco masters, such as Angel Atienza and Manuel Betanzos. Like all dedicated artists, he feels there is always more to learn and plans to attend the Jerez Flamenco Festival 2010, not only to enjoy the performances, but also to keep abreast with current developments in flamenco.
With his companies, Flamenco Bravo! and The Men of Flamenco, Talavera appears in concerts and operas throughout California. He choreographed the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s production of Bizet’s opera, Carmen and he appeared in the 2004 and 2008 productions of Carmen for L. A. Opera at the Music Center. In 2009, The Men of Flamenco will perform in October in Whittier and Juan is set to appear in The Barber of Seville in November.
Juan Talavera remains dedicated to the work he has done tirelessly for decades – helping to build future generations of flamenco artists by teaching Spanish and flamenco dance at his studio in Whittier. He continues with his first passion – dancing flamenco with enormous passion and success.
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