“FIERAS” live Flamenco Performance by A Palo Seco Flamenco Company

Irvington, NY – A Palo Seco Flamenco Company, under the visionary direction of founder and choreographer Rebeca Tomas, is proud to announce the 2025 production of FIERAS, an electrifying new flamenco production debuting Thursday, May 22 at 7pm at the historic Irvington Town Hall Theater.

FIERAS is a visceral and unapologetic exploration of feminine strength, instinct, and resilience. “Fiera,” a Spanish and, more specifically, Flamenco expression, refers to a fierce female energy full of power and force. This energy of rising up and enduring in the face of adversity is infused throughout the work as it examines, with a respectful and delicate eye, the issue of Domestic Violence in our society. Through a contemporary flamenco lens, Tomas and her ensemble delve into the primal and poetic forces that drive the feminine spirit—raw, unfiltered, and unbound. An original production directed by Rebeca Tomas, the production is inspired by stories of survivors of Domestic Violence. Audiences can expect a riveting blend of traditional flamenco music and dance with bold, theatrical elements that challenge expectations and stir the soul.

Cast members include Singers Barbara Martinez, Juan Pedro Gimenez, and Olyda Ola; Violinist Tania Mesa; Guitarist Ricardo Sanchez; Percussionist Jeremy Smith; Dancers Elisabet Torras, Laura Peralta, and Rebeca Tomas.

The creation and production of FIERAS is made possible by support from Arts Westchester vis a vis an Arts Alive Grant (2024) and a Voices for Change Grant (2023), in addition to close work and consultation with members of Hope’s Door.

A Palo Seco is a New York based Flamenco Company that strives to develop a unique voice, employing their Flamenco expertise, while also taking into account the context in which they live. Their work aims to expose people to an innovative way of looking at Flamenco, combining traditional techniques with a modern, metropolitan flare. Founded by artistic director and choreographer, Rebeca Tomas, the company debuted its first production in May 2010 at Theatre 80 St. Marks (New York City). The production was described as “a feast for the eyes and the ears” (Linsday Miller, Theatre On-Line), and reviewed by several press sources, including the New York Times. Jack Anderson, for the New York Theatre Wire, wrote, “Tomas is seeking to develop Flamenco in new ways.” The company has appeared throughout the U.S. at venues such as the Chicago Flamenco Festival, Eastman School of Music’s World Music Series, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out, the Pocantico Center (Rockefeller Brothers Fund), New York City’s SummerStage, Flushing Town Hall in Queens and the New Victory Theater on Broadway.

“A Palo Seco” is a phrase that refers to a bare-bones style of flamenco music, often consisting of singing or percussion alone. This stripped-down aesthetic has become a central theme in artistic director Rebeca Tomas’ choreography, characterizing her biggest departures from tradition, while also rooting her work in the emotional rawness that lies at the heart of the art of Flamenco.