A Summer in Flamenco Flamenco from the inside: When poet and theatre director Jackie Cornwall meets young flamenco dancer Adrián Brenes in the picturesque Andalucían town of Vejer de la Frontera, she is fascinated by the mystery of his art. Spain in economic crisis and Adrián's future is uncertain but together they embark on the world's first Shakespeare/flamenco fusion production. And as their shared journey takes them from Spain to Florence, and finally to New York, Adrián shows her exactly what it means to be 'flamenco'. This entertaining and heartwarming book, illustrated with Kelly Lawlor's photographs, describes the world of flamenco 'from the inside'. A lively and highly personal introduction to the quintessentially Andalucían art, it will delight everyone who loves Spain or flamenco, or who cares about the fate of the young in a challenging world. "It's like having someone take your hand and gently lead you through the world of Flamenco." "Through the clear gaze of a young artist speaking from his heart, we find in these pages the expression of a wide and beautiful universe, the world of flamenco." "Easy to read and understand, but beware! You could fall in love with these characters.
About the Author: Adrián Brenes Ureba was born in Conil de la Frontera, Cadiz in 1986. He entered the world of dance at the age of eight and subsequently danced on many stages, winning numerous prizes and awards for sevillanas and alegrías. Adrián has studied with many prominent teachers of the region, including Milagros Ventura, Javier Marín, La Chiqui de Jerez, Daniel Torres, Pepa Mercé, Domingo Ortega and Charo Cruz. In Madrid, he studied with María Juncal, Marina Claudio, Pepa Molina, Nuria Truco, Alfonso Losa y Dagmara Brown in the prestigious Amor de Dios dance school.Adrián has participated in numerous stage presentations, as well as many individual appearances in clubs and other venues. Kelly Lawlor was born in Epping, Essex in 1968. She worked in banking and as a PA until she got her first photographic commission, a portrait, in 1990. Living in London she worked on a wide range of photographic projectsspecialising in portraits, actors' Spotlight head shots and portfolios. In 2000, she began a four-year part-time degree at London Metropolitan University (London Guildhall), specialising in Silversmithing, Jewellery and Allied Crafts. In 2008, Kelly and her family moved to Vejer de la Frontera. She now practises as a professional photographer and has diversified from portraiture to interiors, events, food and wedding photography. Jackie Cornwall was born in England of Welsh parentage in 1948. She graduated in English and Drama and subsequently worked as a lecturer in these subjects as well as on the first UK Gender Studies course. Jackie later became Head of English and Drama at Cornwall College of Further and Higher Education. From 1992 to 1993, she wrote and directed drama with the English Teaching Theatre of Izmir. In 1997, she was awarded a Chair for Poetry in the National Eisteddfod at Y Bala. From 2001, Jackie worked with excluded young people in Cardiff but in 2004, she decided to concentrate on her writing career, and wrote and produced several plays, many in association with Everyman Theatre, Cardiff. In 2007, she left the UK once again to teach drama at the Edron Academy in Mexico City. Jackie has written and published poetry for most of her life, and her collection, 'The Dancer You Were Waiting For' whose title poem was inspired by flamenco dancer Adrian Brenes, was published in 2013. Jackie now lives in Vejer de la Frontera in the Andalucían province of Cadiz. Her history of Vejer, 'Vejer de la Frontera: a History' was published in 2011.