Yinka Esi Graves Leads Flamenco and African Diaspora Seminar at TEA Tenerife

This week, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is hosting a unique exploration of flamenco tradition and the African diaspora. Dancer and choreographer Yinka Esi Graves is leading a seminar titled Listening to a Rhythmic Body at TEA Tenerife Espacio de las Artes. Running from Monday through Friday, the workshop aims to bridge the gap between musical performance and physical movement.

The seminar is part of La Plaza, a year-long program focused on critical thinking and collective practice. Coordinated by a team of specialists, the series explores sociopolitical themes, including decolonization, identity, and the sharing of traditional knowledge. Other notable contributors to the program this year include Teresa Correa and Juan Tomás Ávila.

Graves, who trained at Madrid’s renowned Amor de Dios center and studied under masters like Juana Amaya and Andrés Marín, brings a wealth of experience to the workshop. Having collaborated with artists such as Concha Buika and Remedios Amaya, she encourages participants to use improvisation and active listening to view the body as a tool for communication, moving beyond the traditional boundaries of flamenco.

Throughout her career, the British artist has consistently sought new ways to express her ideas, working with performers like Dorothée Munyaneza and Asha Thomas. Her recent work, The Disappearing Act—which premiered in Nîmes last year—explores themes of invisibility and bodily dissidence, building on research she first presented at the 2022 Seville Flamenco Biennial.

The workshop is free and runs daily from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. While organizers recommend attending all five days to get the most out of the experience, the sessions are open to everyone, regardless of their background in contemporary art. To register, please email laplaza.tallerestea@gmail.com with your identification and contact details.