Flamenco from Almería, with Julio Ruiz

Julio Ruiz is back in the UK! After a multitude of requests from the public - prompted by his last performances in Liverpool and Manchester, finally our calendars coincide again!

Julio is an outstanding solo dancer and choreographer. Since 2016 he has been touring nationally and internationally as a solo dancer and teacher. He has visited the most important dance festivals, won many prizes for his dance from 2014 onwards and reached the finals in the most important flamenco competition in the world, Festival del Cante de las Minas in 2022. He has continued to have many successes with both his traditional and his more contemporary work including ‘Tocar un Hombre’ which he presented at Sadler’s Wells in 2023. His quirky Sevillanas went viral on TikTok! Now, once again he brings a more traditional show based on the music and songs of Almería.

Julio is joined again by the cantaor (flamenco singer) Cristo Heredia, famous for his solo album ‘Almeraya’. Cristo won first prize at several national competitions at the age of 16 and 17 and is known as a great singer for flamenco dance. He was born into a family of flamenco artists and cantaors, son of the singer and composer Juan Heredia ‘El Hércules’ and grandson of the singer Juan Heredia ‘El Pirri’. Accompanying on guitar is David de Ana, a rising star in the world of flamenco who works with many great artists at the top flamenco venues in Andalucia. He completed professional studies in the conservatory of Malaga and then the conservatory of Cordoba, he was also a scholarship holder at Tablao Cardamomo in Madrid.

Julio’s style is grounded firmly in traditional flamenco, with the explosive footwork, strength and definition that is typical of this genre. He also brings grace, charm and many moments of elegant sensitivity. The choreography is all his own, demonstrating his deep musicality and never moving away from being an integral part of this small team of musicians. Julio has been performing with Cristo for many years, having grown up together in a flamenco district of Almería. For us it is a real pleasure to see them in partnership again in the UK.

Responses from the public after the last show: 'It was soul shatteringly brilliant!', 'Made me cry I found it that moving!', 'What a night! What a show!', 'That dancer is so beautiful, a complete range from light to shade!', 'Liverpool is culturally indebted to you and them!'.

Presented by Espíritu Flamenco, we select our visiting artists with an emphasis on quality, musicality and authenticity.  www.espirituflamenco.com