‘Sangre Nueva’: Art of Flamenco Is Alive and Well

In the program notes for “Sangre Nueva,” an evening of emerging flamenco artists at the Fountain Theatre this weekend, producer Deborah Lawlor credits the number of great teachers in Southern California for the quality of flamenco performers now infusing the scene with “new blood.” But you hardly need written confirmation of that--you only need to watch the 13 dancers to know that somebody’s teaching them all the right stuff.

Several more things worked in the new dancers’ favor: The intimacy of the tiny Fountain stage, its footwork-friendly floor and--not to be underestimated--the musical support of singers Charo Monge and Ana Quintero, along with guitarists Paco Arroyo, Jose Tanaka and Antonio Triana.

Choreographers also had a good night, helping performers avoid the pitfalls of self-indulgent flamenco lingering. Linda Vega provided a lively trio, vibrantly danced by Sonriza Campos, Felice Valenzuela and Patricia Velazquez. In a duet made by Roberto Amaral, brother and sister Timo and Beatrice Nun~ez (in their early teens) were fresh, technically smooth and incipiently fierce. They also joined Karina del Mar and Vera Flores Celaya for a nicely balanced quartet by Celaya.

From time to time, particular talents caught the eye: Del Mar’s committed gathering of speed in her solo; Raquel’s hyper-flexed wrists and power to summon a fierce spirit; Micaela Maria’s authoritative sashay and Cristina Villalobos’s intricate footwork. For putting it all together, hardly anyone came closer than Maria Isabel, who is already commanding at 16.

* “Sangre Nueva” tonight, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m., Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Hollywood, $25. (213) 663-1525.