Lionel Félix, Founder & Executive Producer of the Toronto International Flamenco Festival today announced that Flamenco superstar Rafael Campallo will headline this year’s Festival.

Called “...arguably the realest, baddest, sexiest man in dance today" by The Village Voice, Rafael Campallo will make his Toronto debut at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, October 24, 8pm.

An irresistible, charming and powerful performer, Rafael Campallo caught the eye of Flamenco aficionados early in his career due to his outstanding sense of rhythm and his precise footwork. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Rafael Campallo does not rely entirely on his powerful footwork: he uses his hands and arms, indeed his entire body, to express his temperament.

“Toronto audiences love Flamenco and have embraced the Toronto International Flamenco Festival since our first season. Flamenco star Alicia Marquez in 2007 and the renowned Mercedes Ruiz in 2008 have not only have been exhilarating shows but thrilling once-in-a-lifetime events,” said Félix.

Rafael Campallo will perform Triana, La otra orilla with dancer Maria Moreno, singers Javier Rivera and Jeronimo Segura, guitarist Juan Campallo and percussionist Antonio Montiel. Following Toronto, they will perform in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of the “Fall for Flamenco Festival.”

In addition, the Festival also showcases Canadian Flamenco artists on the main stage. This year the Festival will present dancer Hali Dale, accompanied by virtuoso classical and flamenco guitarist Marija Temo, and Flamenco guitarist Ruben Diaz.

Hali Dale has been immersed in Spanish dance since beginning her studies in 1977 at York University under the tutelage of Paula Moreno. Throughout her career she has performed with the professional companies of Paula Moreno, Esmeralda Enrique, Ritmo Flamenco in Toronto, and Lupe Del Rio and Linda Vega in Los Angeles.

Ruben Diaz studied with renowned Argentinean classical guitarist, Manuel López Ramos, where he obtained a solid foundation in classical guitar technique. Deeply involved in flamenco music and culture with the gipsy community of southern Spain, Diaz has had a longstanding and close association with virtuoso flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía for nearly two decades.

An integral part of the Festival is the Flamenco workshop program. Great Flamenco artists impart their own skill and knowledge to those who share their interest and enthusiasm teaching individual classes, open clinics and conservatory teaching. Workshops this year include: Guitar Technique & Accompaniment; Dance Technique; Dance Choreography in Tangos & Alegrias taught by Rafael Campallo; Flamenco Communication with Marija Temo; Paco de Lucia Flamenco Style class with Ruben Diaz; singing with Javier Rivera; a Cajon class and a free Flamenco class will also be offered. The workshops take place from October 18 – 22, 2009 at the Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Avenue, Toronto.

For a complete workshop schedule, visit www.torontoflamencofestival.com

Founded by Lionel Félix in 2007 in order to showcase and celebrate the best in Flamenco, the Toronto International Flamenco Festival is the first of its kind in Canada and models itself on the world famous Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque in New Mexico and The New York Flamenco Festival.

The Toronto International Flamenco Festival is dedicated to increasing the popularity of Flamenco in North America by creating an inclusive environment for both artists and spectators.