FLAMENCO COMPANIES TO PUT THEIR STAMP ON NORTH COAST

Explosive hand clapping, thunderous foot pounding and scintillating

expressions of drama and beauty will highlight a trio of flamenco shows in the

coming week.

Two groups are bringing the sultry Spanish dance style to the region with

performances in Rohnert Park, Sonoma and Ukiah. Artists from Spain will

dominate the event, but local professionals and students who are mastering the

dance form will also complement the performances.

Visiting artist Jose Galvan of Seville, Spain, will star in a program

called ''Soniquete'' at Sonoma State University.

''Soniquete'' will open at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Evert Person Theatre,

SSU, 1500 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, then travel to the Sebastiani Theatre,

476 First St. E., Sonoma, for a 2 p.m. Sunday performance.

The newly formed nonprofit Flamenco Universal is producing the performance

as part of its mission to promote flamenco music and dance as well as other

aspects of Spanish culture.

''We realized that there was a lot of interest in the Spanish culture and

flamenco, and we wanted to encourage that,'' said Helen Hintereder of Flamenco

Universal. ''It is a beautiful art form that is very, very difficult to

master.''

She said that studying the art form is a labor of love and Flamenco

Universal wants to ensure that professionals and students get the recognition

and support they need to continue performing and educating others.

Local flamenco teachers and students from Healdsburg, Cotati, Rohnert Park,

Sonoma and Santa Rosa will be part of the performance as singers, dancers and

guitarists. Galvan, who is holding local flamenco workshops, will star in the

show with guitarist Manuel Parejo and dancer Yumi, also from Seville, Spain.

La Tania Flamenco Music & Dance will perform a show titled ''Encuentro,''

which will highlight the spontaneity of flamenco by blending traditional and

contemporary interpretations. The performance will take place at 7 p.m.

Wednesday at Mendocino College in Ukiah.

La Tania, the Spanish group's artistic director, and dancer Rafael Campallo

choreographed the 90-minute show together. Flamenco enthusiasts will surely

enjoy the pairing of the two award-winning soloists.

Joining the dancers on stage will be Andalusian singers Jose Anillo and

Antonio de Jerez.

In addition to the performance, La Tania and her touring company will

conduct, ''Flamenco in the Redwoods,'' a week-long international workshop,

Aug. 26 though Sept. 2 at the Mendocino Woodland Event Center. The company

will be giving flamenco classes at all levels in dance, guitar, singing,

rhythm and percussion. For information call 459-6592.

You can reach Staff Writer Debra D. Bass at 521-5216 or e-mail

dbass@pressdemocrat.com.