UK: SPANISH DANCER JOAQUIN CORTES KICKS UP HIS HEELS AND BARES HIS SOUL IN NEW PERFORMANCE THAT PREMIERES IN UK

Record ID: 389285

  • Title: UK: SPANISH DANCER JOAQUIN CORTES KICKS UP HIS HEELS AND BARES HIS SOUL IN NEW PERFORMANCE THAT PREMIERES IN UK
  • Date: 17th April 2000
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (APRIL 17, 2000) (REUTERS TELEVISION) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) JOAQUIN CORTES SAYING: "Soul has 19 years of work, 19 years of experience, 19 years of everything. It is called 'Soul', which is my soul. That's the way I'm portraying it, that's the way I see it. That is the fusion of different cultures that I have absorbed over the years. At the
  • Embargoed: 2nd May 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM AND VARIOUS FILM LOCATIONS
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Communications,Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVABBG24202BLETQHHBG1AQQ2TF6
  • Story Text: Spanish dancer Joaquin Cortes is kicking up his heels and baring his soul in a new performance that premieres in Britain on Monday (May 8).The man who put the sex back into flamenco is showing off his latest dancing sensation 'Soul' at London's Saddler's Wells Theatre for six days only.
    With the aura more of a rock star than a dancer, Joaquin Cortes has notched up a line of exotic girlfriends, including black beauty Naomi Campbell.His snake-hipped gypsy charm, smoldering looks and sizzling dance moves have proved irresistible not just to supermodels.
    Spanish Cortes danced around the world for five years with his 'Gypsy Passion'.Now he's hoping to do it again with his new show 'Soul'.It first debuted in Barcelona last year, now it's coming to London for six days at the Saddler's Wells Theatre.
    Born in the Andalusian city of Cordoba, Cortes was surrounded by flamenco from his earliest moments.
    Cortes says:
    "I was born with flamenco, I have always had the gypsy in me, because you see flamenco as you grow up in weddings, communions and all sorts of celebrations.At home you always see dancing and singing, so when I started studying I started as a foundation with classical and contemporary dance.But everything, to me, comes back to flamenco, as it is the root of dance in Spain".
    Cortes has put his soul into his new show, reminding critics that he is both a talented performer and choreographer.
    Cortes says: "Soul has 19 years of work, 19 years of experience, 19 years of everything.It is called 'Soul', which is my soul.That's the way I'm portraying it, that's the way I see it.That is the fusion of different cultures that I have absorbed over the years.At the same time, I am also celebrating what has inspired me, like afro-cuban dance, classical, and Spain's national dance.All I have seen and absorbed, together with traditional flamenco, I bring all this with my 'Soul'".
    He enrolled in the Spanish National Ballet in Madrid when he was 12, by the age of 23 he had formed his own company, the Joaquin Cortes Flamenco Ballet.Fuse copious Latino dances and musical influences, a dash of sweat and sex appeal and you have 'Soul' -- Cortes' own distinctive dance style.
    Cortes says: "The flamenco has become more international due to the fusion of the music and the different dancing styles.When I get on stage I show the best and give totally to the public.And I am totally committed body and soul to the show and if people think it's sexy, it's OK".
    But it's not just his dancing that has kept Cortes in the headlines.His nine month relationship with Naomi Campbell captured the imaginations of British tabloids -- especially when she allegedly took a barbiturate overdose following publication of pictures of Cortes and another woman frolicking on a Marbella beach.
    But although he knows the downside of being a media darling, he still recognises that fame has its moments.
    Cortes says: "When you see people and you see that they love you and you are liked by people and they follow you and support your work it is something that is almost not real -- like you are floating, mental masturbation almost.But of course it is always a surprise that people support you and 'life is beautiful'".
    The dancer has tried his hand at a number of glamour professions, from modeling Armani to acting for acclaimed director Pedro Almodavar and playing percussion on the London stage.But is there anything he'd like to try that he hasn't yet? Cortes says: "I hope I will never be mediocre -- that's something I would hate to be.But I would like to have a child, a baby.I love children."

    (But has he a special lady, he'd like to discuss this with?) "That's complicated.Those things you never know when they will happen.It's just something that I'm looking forward to".
    Despite his ambitions, Cortes hasn't got a girlfriend at the moment, but once he rattles those heels and flicks back that mane of hair, you can be sure he won't be waiting for long.
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