Tucked away on the second floor of a gym in the Mission, you'll find "one of the longest continually running flamenco performance groups outside of Spain."
That's how artistic director Carola Zertuche describes Theatre Flamenco, which holds classes, workshops and performances centered on the classical Spanish dance. Founded in 1966, it's the second-oldest dance company in San Francisco — only the San Francisco Ballet has been around longer.
Choreographer Adela Clara originally founded Theatre Flamenco more than five decades ago, and it tends to draw committed, passionate directors. Before Zertuche took over in 2008, Miguel Santos held the top job for 21 years — not counting the ones he spent as principal dancer and choreographer.
"Most of my life, I've been with Theatre Flamenco," Santos said in "My Life in Dance," a 2015 documentary about him, noting his education under José Greco and Lola Montes’ companies in Spain.
As for Zertuche, she began her dance career in Mexico City before taking over as the company's artistic director. She's also a dancer and choreographer outside of Theatre Flamenco; for example, she did the choreography for the SF Opera's 2017 production of "La Traviata."
But Theatre Flamenco is her primary passion. In 2016, she relocated the group from the basement of the now-closed Burger King at Market and Grove streets to the former Fat Chance Belly Dance space at 670 South Van Ness Ave. (and 18th).
With dance-oriented ODC Theater just about a block away, it's a prime location for the nonprofit. "The Mission is much better for us," Zertuche says.
In the process of moving, Zertuche found original Theatre Flamenco dance costumes from the 1960s, which now line the studio's walls. "We also recycled some of our old posters and put them up," she said.
In the extremely expensive climate of San Francisco, Zertuche says she's grateful that the company wasn't priced out altogether, as so many others have been.
Theatre Flamenco is financed by government grants, private foundation grants, and individual donations, as well as sales, merchandise and rentals of its studio.
"It's [a lot of] paperwork," Zertuche admits. "I'm doing everything by myself."
Like Santos, Zertuche has a passion for bringing flamenco to the people. The studio offers flamenco classes ($20-30) for both kids and adults, from beginners to semi-professional dancers.
Zertuche also regularly welcomes established local and international guest artists for special workshops at Theatre Flamenco's Mission space, like flamenco dancers Eduardo Guerrero and Cristina Hall; guitarist Juani de la Isla; and singer Amparo Heredia.
In fact, Heredia will be part of Theatre Flamenco's next big performance: a "Soul y Alma" concert with the GLIDE Ensemble at Herbst Theatre on Saturday. The ensemble serves as the choir for the Tenderloin church of the same name, performing a mix of gospel, jazz, rock, folk and blues.
The combination may seem unusual, but Zertuche notes the many similarities between gospel and flamenco, including deep emotions, audience interplay and plenty of stomping and clapping.
"I love to collaborate with other artists," Zertuche said, nothing that she and GLIDE's musical director, Vernon Bush, "went back and forth on the idea" for years.
Bush put it more bluntly: "This kind of collaboration has never really been done before."
"The mixing of flamenco and gospel music was a wild idea to begin with," Bush said. "But as we now meld the two together, we're finding out how much they are really alike."
"It was my sincere intention to find a way to open up and reach out to our Spanish community here at Glide in a unique way," Bush said. "I think we have found it through this beautiful and passionate art form."
"People should come and see the shows," Zertuche said. "It's a lot of hours we put into it."
"Soul y Alma," a tribute to gospel and flamenco music, takes place this Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m. at the Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Ave.). Tickets are $25-55.
