Los Canasteros

FLAMENCO & LOS CANASTEROS

FLAMENCO &

Flamenco is a mispronunciation of the Arabic word "felagmengu" which means "fugitive peasant." The"felagmengu' people were the runaway Moors, Cales, Gypsies, Jews and southern Spaniards who became known as "Flamencos' when they took to the mountains to escape the ravages of the 15 th Century Spanish Inquisition. The Jews and Moors were expelled from Spain but the Cales Gypsies were held in slavery for 400 years until the 1850's. Through the years of slavery the Cales secretively maintained the musical and dancing traditions of flamenco. It was not until the 1870's that flamenco blossomed from the "Gypsy ghettos" as a popular musical expression of the mainstream Spanish culture.

"Los Canasteros" is the name given by the Spaniards to the wand Gypsies of Southern Spain. Inspired by the Cales tradition of culture and music we call ourselves "Los Canasteros".

ABOUT THE MUSIC

"Los Canasteros" perform authentic and traditional flamenco with unique spirit and high energy. The fundamental components of the group consist of vocals (cante), flamenco guitars (toque), and dancing (baile). These three art forms become one in the essence of flamenco. From the lively rhythmic pulse of the Bulerias to the profound and emotional intensity of the Seguiriyas and of course the joyful and humorous Rumba Gitana. In Spain they say; "You do not play flamenco - you live it" and "Los Canasteros" put their heart and soul into every performance. The music and voice of Lolo and his companions has a raw passion that is found more often in the small bars of Spain than in Western concert halls. Their music carries sounds of an ancient, often persecuted people: their pain, their joys, and their hopes for freedom.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Lolo Lolo was born on New Years day in 1954 as Mario Ines-Torres in the Gypsy district of Barcelona called Barrio Gotico. He comes from a rich tradition of flamenco music and his roots are in the Cales' heritage. At the age of 16 he left home: migrant farm work and long periods of isolation in the mountains increased his empathy of human suffering and emotion, the underlying essence of flamenco music. Lolo has been involved in the musical field for over two decades and often reflects, "When I sing, I am just a transport for the voice of my ancestors. I didn't choose to sing, they chose me."
pedro Peter Mole was born in Montreal, Canada and studied classical guitar at McGill University. His introduction to the flamenco guitar took place in Sacro-Monte, Granada in 1985. Since then he has returned to Spain several times to stay in touch with current trends and to further his studies with world renowned Gypsy guitarist Carlos Arelea of Sevilla.
Karen Karen Boothroyd was born in Gibsons, B.C. and lived in a trailer in her early childhood in the tradition of her British born Gypsy parents. She started dancing at the age of four and not only excels in flamenco but also jazz, tap, musical theatre, acrobatics and Hawaiian dance styles. She has been focused in the world of flamenco dance for over ten years. Karen's passion and devotion to flamenco is reflected by her graceful and stirring interpretation of dance. She leaves her audiences in awe.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
	Lolo was born on New Years day in 1954 as Mario Ines-Torres in the Gypsy district of Barcelona called Barrio Gotico. He comes from a rich tradition of flamenco music and his roots are in the Cales' heritage. At the age of 16 he left home: migrant farm work and long periods of isolation in the mountains increased his empathy of human suffering and emotion, the underlying essence of flamenco music. Lolo has been involved in the musical field for over two decades and often reflects, "When I sing, I am just a transport for the voice of my ancestors. I didn't choose to sing, they chose me."
	Peter Mole was born in Montreal, Canada and studied classical guitar at McGill University. His introduction to the flamenco guitar took place in Sacro-Monte, Granada in 1985. Since then he has returned to Spain several times to stay in touch with current trends and to further his studies with world renowned Gypsy guitarist Carlos Arelea of Sevilla.
	Karen Boothroyd was born in Gibsons, B.C. and lived in a trailer in her early childhood in the tradition of her British born Gypsy parents. She started dancing at the age of four and not only excels in flamenco but also jazz, tap, musical theatre, acrobatics and Hawaiian dance styles. She has been focused in the world of flamenco dance for over ten years. Karen's passion and devotion to flamenco is reflected by her graceful and stirring interpretation of dance. She leaves her audiences in awe.

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