Led by dancer Kasandra “La China”, the Kasandra Flamenco Ensemble presents an innovative flamenco-contemporary artistic collage in “United Elements”. The Kasandra Flamenco Ensemble performs with combustible onstage chemistry that flows like water and skips like fire. Take an emotional journey through the passionately dark depths of the Self.
“United Elements” is a powerful performance that explores the journey of bringing together the fragmented parts of ourselves. Through Flamenco dance, movement, voice, music and sound, the audience is invited to witness and experience the harmonization of our inner and outer worlds. This show utilizes the art of Flamenco as a metaphor for life itself—a way to transform and alchemize our inner struggles into beauty and strength.
The performance begins with the tortured and angry masculine, Chinese-Canadian singer Jake “Chinito” Lee, tells the tale of sadness and torment.
Intense percussion, like a pressure cooker about to burst. Dancers strike wooden canes in rhythm, building to a fiery crescendo. Then—sudden silence. This moment of stillness invites reflection.
The fire is then soothed by the breath and the haunting voice of Taiwanese-Canadian Flamenco artist, Cyrena “La Sirena” singing traditional Martinete—a song of longing and desperation, echoing from deep within. Kasandra “La China” dances as both destroyer and nurturer, embodying the fire, the storm, and the calm after. She represents the dancer as the center of transformation, grounding all of life’s challenges into the Mother Earth.
Kasandra “La China”, creator, dancer, Self
Cyrena “La Sirena”, singer, special effects
Jake “Chinito” Lee, singer, flamenco guitarist
Peter Mole, flamenco guitar, special effects
Amber “La Joyanca”, dancer, Yang
Andreana Karogiannis, dancer, Inner Child
Kara “La Picante”, dancer, Yin
Kasandra “La China” is the artistic director for Kasandra Flamenco and is one of Canada’s leading flamenco artists well-known for her unrelenting drive to push the artistic envelope.
She has dedicated 28+ years to the development, promotion and evolution of flamenco dance in Vancouver as a bailaora, artistic director, choreographer, mentor and teacher to many aficionados.
As Canada’s Chinese-Canadian flamenco dancer, she has created colourful Asian artistic fusions in theatre production “Cafe de Chinitas” 2006-2015 and its informal tablao cousin “Flamenco Dim Sum” 2022-26.
She is the artistic director of Kasandra Flamenco, known for high calibre shows with international guest artists including productions “Solo Flamenco”, “Encuentros”, “La Tarara” and “Ritmo y Soniquete” where she has showcased an extensive body of duet work with very accomplished male dancers — bailaor, bailarin, tap and contemporary.
Today Kasandra delves into contemporary flamenco works that interpret humanity’s emotional tapestry and universal struggles in “Rojo Y Sombra” and this year’s “United Elements”.
She founded Al Mozaico Flamenco Dance Academy in 2002 with her mentor, Oscar Nieto, and produced shows for Mozaico Flamenco Dance Theatre including “Espiritu Sin Nombre” and “Poemas de Alegrias”.
Today she produces the Sunday Salon Series and is the programmer for professional and community performances by Mozaico Flamenco Performance and “Los Mozaicos”. She is also the historian and documentarian of “Mosaics: History of Flamenco in Vancouver”.
“Soledad (loneliness), whom do you seek, alone at this hour? What does it matter? I seek my own joy and my own self.”
The lyrical melodies of the Flamenco guitar wash over the dancers who share a precious silk. Who holds the power? Both. Nobody.
A dialogue between Yin and Yang ensues, spiraling down into the shadowy dark depths. The Inner Child emerges gleeful and triumphant.
The Solea finale symbolizes the rise of the Phoenix. We fly with the golden Manton de Manila, a rebirth into unity and the Divine Mother.