SILVER CITY - The Chris Burton Jácome Flamenco Ensemble, which includes Silver City native Lena Jacome, will open the Grant County Concert Association's season Saturday night at the WNMU Fine Arts Center Theater, and will give a free outreach performance today at 10:30 a.m.
The outreach performance is normally for students in the Silver schools, but since the schools are closed this week, and will not be sending entire classes to the performance, the Concert Association is encouraging parents to bring groups of elementary or middle school children to this morning's concert. High school students are also welcome. Admission is free.
Lena is a graduate of Silver High School and was a member of the Silver City Drill Team during her high school years. She had her first theater performance at the Fine Arts Center when she was in high school and is now back performing at the same theater, as a professional, accomplished flamenco dancer.
"I remember the first time I performed in front of an audience, and from that moment on I knew that I would pursue a career in the performing arts," she said. "I'm thrilled to be performing at the Fine Arts Center Theater again. It's such a treat to perform in my hometown."
Jacome last performed in Silver City in January of this year, when she and her husband performed at the Silco Theater.
She received her bachelor of fine arts degree in dance performance from New World School of the Arts in Miami, and her master of fine arts degree in dance performance and choreography from Arizona State University.
Her father, Ray Delfin Jr., worked as a surveyor for the copper mines, including UV Industries, Phelps Dodge and Cobre Mining. Her mother, Rose Delfin, worked as a secretary for the Title I and Bilingual Department of the Silver City public schools. Both parents are retired and continue to reside in Silver City, along with siblings Ray Delfin III and Monica Dunn.
In addition to performing, choreographing and instructing, Lena also models and acts through a Phoenix-based modeling and talent agency.
Her husband, Chris, is a Tucson native and University of Arizona alum who has recorded five albums: Levanto, Flamenco, Pa'Lante, Motivacin, and It's a Flamenco Guitar Christmas, and established himself as a flamenco master. His music can be heard on the Emmy-award-winning PBS special "Flamenco," on popular TV shows "Kyle xy" and "Greek" and in the feature films "Amreeka" and "9/Tenths." His shows often sell out and are said to capture flamenco music at its best. He is considered one of the most in-demand flamenco guitarists in the United States.
He was born into one of Tucson's pioneer families, and his family owned the popular department store of the same name in downtown Tucson for more than 84 years.
He began playing the guitar when he was just 13 years old, and after graduating from the University of Arizona with a bachelor's of fine arts in classical guitar and a bachelor of arts in Spanish literature, he traveled to Sevilla, Spain, to study with the greatest performers of this era, including Miguel Aragon, Manolo Franco, Juan del Gastor, Juan Amador, Juana Amaya, Enrique Robles, Segundo Falcn and Cristo El Francos.
"I make music from my experiences in the hope that the audience will take a journey with me to another world, the world of the gypsies of Andaluc a, Spain," said Chris. "I love sharing the art of flamenco with my audiences."
The Jácomes currently reside in Mesa, Ariz., and tour nationally with the Chris Burton Jacome Flamenco Ensemble, comprised of four musicians and three flamenco dancers. Joining the flamenco troupe of seven artists for the beginning of their New Mexico and Texas tour is another Silver City native and flamenco dancer, Carolyn Holguin, daughter of Raul and Lena Holguin who currently reside in Silver City as well.
Tickets are available in advance at Alotta Gelato or at the door. Cost for non-member single-concert admission: adult, $20; children to age 17, $5.
..
..