Ay, me!
The flamenco performance Las Mujeronas had me hollering “Olé!”, laughing, and crying all sorts of tears — from pain, from joy, and from the sheer, extravagant beauty of it.
The program that Jhoely Triana Flamenco is presenting at the Vancouver Fringe combines audio recordings of the Latina Vancouver artists’ experiences of immigration, with powerful dance and extraordinary musicianship.
Before Jessica Oryall performs a blistering solo, we hear her voice telling us that the name her birth mother gave her is Alba, which means Dawn, but “To me, she is dead because I cannot know her… Giving me up to a better life might be the bravest thing she has ever done.” The dance that follows finds agonized articulation in Oryall’s arched back, complicated fury in her footwork, and release in the freedom that follows this expression.
Oryall is a virtuoso of rhythmic footwork, as is choreographer and dancer Triana. Luiza Libardi adds ferocity to her rhythmic skills, and Marcela Lopez adds unabashed pleasure in sensuality.
Guitarist Peter Mole’s playing is layered and intricate, often lyrical and delicate. Call me crazy but, to me, it felt feathered. And Maria Avila’s singing is passion incarnate. (Full disclosure: Maria is a co-op neighbour, and I’ve known her since she was a tiny kid.)
The Fringe program lists a couple of other dancers as well, so I suspect programs may vary.
Of the twelve shows I’ve seen, and based on my visceral, musical, and emotional experiences of this one, Las Mujeronas is my top pick at the 2026 Vancouver Fringe.
Remaining performances: September 15 (8:45 p.m.), 18 (5:00 p.m.), and 19 (8:45 p.m.) Tickets and information.
PHOTO CREDIT: (Photo of Jhoely Triana by Chris Randle)
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