Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba

From Havana, Cuba, Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, is a genuine expression of the mixture which identifies Cuban culture. The company's performances combine, in an original way, elements of flamenco, ballet and contemporary dance with Spanish and Afor-Cuban rhythms.

Established in 1991 by director choreographer Lizt Alfonso, the company is a resident ensemble at Havana's Grand Theatre. Comprised of an all female ensemble, and accompanied by a live band, Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba stands out for its coordination and perfection.

Performing in stunning costumes, figure-hugging bodices and voluminous skirts that swirl and flow, falling perfectly across the dancers' bodies as they pounded relentlessly through powerful and punishing routines, stamping, clapping and moving in perfect unison through their sets.

Flashed with passion, fire, pride and excitement, the audience is left with no doubt as to the strength and the beat of the show. A new invented dance vocabulary which is an eclectic mixture of the traditional and the modern, ranging from the haughty, proud flamenco to more fusion moves where you could spot ballet, modern dance, Afro-Caribbean and the Latin gestures all melding together.

The company has performed all over the world and received rave reviews from both audiences and critics. " the dancers, certainly moved with great strength through choreographic phrases that were rhythmically strong and precisely measured. Unison patterns dominated the presentation. Its overall tone… all the works… followed a striking introduction to the company featured unison steps danced with the same well-timed precision. Each work dazzled on its own", says the New York Times.

The company has recently completed a 26 city tour of The Netherland, and 20 perfromances in Germany. "This cuban mix of fire and spice, is the living testimony to the vibrance of the cultural life that seems to thrive in Cuba, particularly in the fields of dance and music. The sheer technical finesse of Alfonso's company, combined with a performance style that blends ensemble perfectionism with strong individual expression, and a unique warmth and unforced sensuality, is impressive" says Chicago Sun TImes.

Press Reviews

Celebratory Spirits Stamping and Clacking as One

Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Togetherness triumphed on Saturday night when Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba performed at Brooklyn College. This company from Havana offered "Fuerza y Compás," a two-act suite of brief dances, each with its own title. The overall spirit was celebratory, and most of the choreography was by Ms. Alfonso, who adroitly blended several styles, especially Spanish, Cuban and Afro-Cuban dance forms.

"Fuerza y Compás" can be translated as "Strength and Measure (or Rhythm)." And the dancers, all of them women, certainly moved with great strength through choreographic phrases that were rhythmically strong and precisely measured. Unison patterns dominated the presentation.

Its overall tone was set in the opening "Malagueña," in which the women crossed the stage together with amazing unanimity, fiercely stamping their heels and clacking castanets. A musical ensemble directed by Denis Peralta provided vigorous accompaniment for the entire production.

Almost all the other works that followed this striking introduction to the company featured unison steps danced with the same well-timed precision. Each work dazzled on its own.

Attempts were wisely made to add variety to the proceedings. For instance, there were two solos. "Gitaneria," for Yamilè Barrero, was filled with little leaps and speedy turns. "Elogio," for Dania Hernández, began with flowing arm movements, then grew faster and sharper.

The way two groups performed different types of unison steps helped enliven "Ire a Santiago," which contrasted the proud, taut carriage of Spanish dancers with the shoulder shakes and fluid upper-body movements associated with certain traditional Cuban dances. And in the concluding "De Tierra y Aire," collaboratively choreographed by Yanet Rodríguez, Liliet Rivera and Ms. Alfonso, soloists occasionally emerged out of the ensemble to display their individual talents, then returned to share in the festive togetherness.

Jack Anderson (New York Times)
February 4, 2003

Read more reviews:

Chicago Sun-Times

The Plain Dealer, Cleveland

El-Paso Inc.

The Press, Christchurch

Toronto Star

Links

Official web site: www.balletliztalfonso.cult.cu

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