The Passion Of Spanish Dance

A local man who has lived in Spain for the past 35 years is returning to Northern Ireland to bring a spectacular flamenco show to local audiences.

The mesmerising Spanish Flamenco Show which is normally based in Malaga, Costa Del Sol is coming to Northern Ireland for the first time in January 2015 to play six shows.

The show's lead dancer, director and producer Vicente Renero is renowned across Spain as one of the most passionate and authentic artists in the Mediterranean country.

The show is being brought to local shores by ex-pat Les Baird, who is originally from Larne. The local man travelled all over the world in dance troupes before deciding to hang up his dancing shoes and open a boutique hotel on the Costa Del Sol.

Reluctant to let go of his love of dance he has been part of the flamenco show for the past three years.

"The show is permanently based in a theatre here in Malaga called Sala Embrujo and this year during their rest period we have decided to bring them to Northern Ireland to perform six shows," Les said.

"Vicente Renero is a very well-known and accomplished dancer in Spain and has amazing talent as a dancer and choreographer. He brings an exciting and vibrant show with the most professional dance company in Andalucía at the minute.

"The company will have 12 people on stage with five girl dancers, four male dancers plus our musicians who are a guitarist, a singer and a percussionist on the 'cajon'. The highlight of the show is Vicente's 'Solo de Pied', it will mesmerise any member of the public who is lucky enough to see this performance."

The dancer is also bringing an exhibition of Irish dancing costumes from the past 75 years to Northern Ireland with all proceeds going to charity in memory of his beloved mother.

"I had the idea over a year ago when I had heard so many people in the Irish dancing world didn't know what to do with their old costumes," he said.

"As I still adjudicate and examine all over the world I have great contacts to approach people and asked for donations of any unwanted costumes to make the collection.

"Then remembering my mother who loved Irish dancing so much she was taken from us very suddenly with cancer, I thought of the idea of saving a little bit of our heritage by putting together an exhibition of the costumes.

"When I approached my friends in the Irish Dancing world everyone thought it was a fabulous idea, and from there the ball started rolling. We have now got over 100 costumes all donated by ex-dancers, families and teachers.

"I hope over the years the collection will continue to grow and we will be able to tour around so that everyone can enjoy these beautiful costumes. As all families have suffered from the horrible disease cancer I thought that it was very apt that all proceeds from the exhibition will go to Macmillan and the NI Hospice."

The Spanish Flamenco Dance show will play The Auditorium in Larne on 8 – 11 January 2015 at 8pm plus a matinee show on 11 January at 3pm. Tickets available from Larne Tourist Information Office or Prom Cafe, McNeill Leisure Centre. It will also play on 13 January in the Braid Arts Centre Ballymena. Tickets available from the Centre.

The Irish dancing costume exhibition will go on display in Larne Town Hall between 6 and 17 January. It is open weekdays 11.00 - 4.00pm and Saturdays 10.00am - 1.00pm. All proceeds to Macmillan and the Northern Ireland Hospice. Entrance fee £2.50.