Cultural Connections

CubanOlé is a classical flamenco show created by Cuban-born artists Griset Damas-Roche and Orlay Alonso. The one-hour program unleashes the senses and allows the audience to be fully immersed in the rich tapestry of Andalusian tradition as CubanOlé presents an unforgettable evening of authentic Flamenco dancing and classical piano repertoire.

Flamenco, an art form born out of the cultural mélange of Gypsy, Arab, Jewish, and Christian heritages in Southern Spain, is a mesmerizing spectacle that seamlessly blends music and dance, culminating in an expressive and passionate display of human emotion.

The show features Griset Damas-Roche, as a dancer and a versatile expert on castanets, mantón, zapateado, and a variety of different rhythms, and styles. In addition, pianist Orlay Alonso, brings his classical training into the duo, infusing the performance with his love for Cuban music. Cuba's musical heritage is greatly infused with many Spanish traditions, so it is only natural that two Cuban artists would fuse their love for Spanish and Cuban traditions into one art form - CubanOlé.

Prepare to be swept away by the pulsating rhythms, the dramatic storytelling, and the raw power of Cuban Flamenco. This is more than a show: it’s an experience. It’s a journey. It’s Flamenco. It’s CubanOlé!

Immerse yourself in an evening of soul-stirring emotions, where creativity, passion, and love come alive. Featuring local musicians and dancers, this event showcases the art of storytelling through divine expressions and heartfelt performances.
Mansee Singhi (she/her) is a South Asian choreographer, performer, teaching artist and member of the United Nations Dance Council based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings a unique grounding to Ohio’s dance community with her storytelling through movement creations. This sense of grounding perhaps comes from her works being rooted in the Indian classical dance form Kathak. Techniques and vocabulary from the folk and traditional arts forms like training in yoga and body analogy are also part of her choreographic assertions. An active member of the arts community in Columbus, Mansee has been training and helping the youth and seniors learn and more actively appreciate this classical form through outreach programmes. Her creative landscapes have been presented at several prestigious platforms and is recognised by various art organizations and art patron communities. Her creative output and artistry focuses on collaboration , creation and exploring geometry within the footwork, body and grace. In her work, she strives to balance the elements of her cultural background with her skills of story-telling and movements to find intersections between art and oneness.