[robertorios]

I have just joined this site. I have been performing flamenco for forty years. I am the father of two professional dancers, Faustino Rios currentely of Tampa, Florida and Isabel Rios of Holliston, Massachusetts. A second son, Juan Carlos, started out as a talented dancer at the age of six but quit when in his teens. I have my own group called "El Arte Flamenco" that performs in the New England area, and I have also performed with nationally known artists including Ramon de los Reyes, Omayra Amaya, Rogelio Rodriguez, Jose Greco Sr., and others. I play guitars made by the luthier Aaron Green of Groton, MAssachusetts. FInally, I have four grandchildren, one of whom, Sabrina Rios, is a fabulous dancer. The other three range in ages from 1-7 and have yet to begin.

[flamencita]

Welcome and thanks for joining the forum Mr. Rios! I hope to gain some knowledge from a professional such as yourself.

Best regards,
flamencita

[Payul]

Hola Roberto Rios!

Welcome to the forum! You take some history with you!

where did you study guitar 40 years ago? No internet in that time...:-)

Payul

[at_leo_87]

welcome roberto!

do you have a singer in your group?

where are you based? do you by chance occassionally play at bar lola?

[robertorios]

Thank you for the welcoming messages. I do indeed perform at Bar Lola fairly regularly. I am working with a singer named Glenda Landavazo and a dancer named Yvonne LaLyre or with my daughter Isabel Rios when she is available. She recently had a baby so she hasn't been dancing. I have also worked quite a bit at a restaurant called Tasca and occassionally at Dali, Solea, and Tapeo Restaurants for private parties.

As far as learning to play is concerned, I am primarily self taught. I purchased records and when to performances whenever possible - Jose Greco, Antonio y su Ballet de Madrid, Sabaicas, Carlos Montoya, etc. The sixties was a period of some very good touring companies and artists. Later I travelled in Spain and got a taste of the flamenco in thesmall bars in neighborhoods in Sevilla, Toledo, Madrid, and Barcelona. On returning to the United States I sought out dance schools where I could accompany classes while my children were learning. This I found to be the best experience for solififying compas and building a repertoire. I got to play for Juanita Cansino in Boston of the famous Cansino family, Rogelio Rodriguez,in Houston who also brought Jose Greco, Nana Lorca, Luisa Triana, and other major flamenco figures in for month-long summer workshops. I also worked with Ramon de los Reyes and Omayra Amaya extensively in Boston. I continue to work with Ramon who has been a close friend for thirty years. We are preparing a major performance for September 24th featuring Ramon's two sons, Isaac and Nino de los Reyes and his previous partner Clara Ramona. The three will be flying in from Madrid where they are currently based (except Clara who is based in the Phillipines). The concert will feature Moorish and flamenco dance and music and will be held at MIT's 1,,200 seat Kresge Auditorium.

[robertorios]

Attached is a flyer for the upcoming performance by the Ramon de los Reyes Spanish Dance Theatre at MIT in Cambridge on September 24th at 8:00.

[at_leo_87]

i'll definitely catch that show! we haven't met in person, but im anthony, i perform with lauren o'donnell and play for her dance class. we also perform at bar lola but we have yet to bump into each other.

[Estela Zatania]

Roberto, we must have met but I can't remember when or how. I worked with Ramón de los Reyes for several years between 1968 and 1970, sang a couple of years for José Greco Sr. before moving to Spain, now close friends with Luisa Triana who lives here in Jerez. I vaguely remember Julio de los Reyes mentioning your name, he's also a good friend.

Estela