Calgary Herald, Monday March 15, 1999

“Calgary Is Moving to a Latin Music Beat”
Full page article featuring the guitarists behind flamenco dancer Annette Morcos. Features photos and background on Latin music scene in Calgary.

Medicine Hat News, 2003

“Salero Caló: Dancing, Dining and Intensity”

The Vineyard restaurant downtown was an excellent venue for the romance and intensity of Salero Caló. Sitting at a delicate café table looking into a castle laden landscape while listening to the pulsating steps of a Flamenco dancer, it was easy to imagine one wasn’t in Medicine Hat anymore. That is just what Medicine Hat JazzFest producer Lyle Rebbeck had hoped for when he booked this old-world talent. “I was looking or something different” Rebbeck explained. Native Mediterranean Annette Morcos, along with dance partner Francesca Ricoppo and guitarist Mike Boyle, entertained the dining patrons with flowing costumes and lightning quick feet, accompanied by an acoustic guitar. The artistically seductive hand movements bewitched the senses as their feet struck the makeshift plywood stage sending vibrations through the floor.
Some patrons were mesmerized by the dancers and captivating guitar. Others sipped their wine and sampled the dining delights while engaging in idle chit-chat. Raul and Patricia Moran, owners of the Vineyard, were pleased with the crowd’s response. “Everyone is enjoying it (the performance) at their own pace. Dining enhances the entire experience”, Raul explained. “It’s an evening out.”
The evening began with Morcos and Ricoppo dancing together, almost simultaneously. Later, her sultry voice filled the air in a foreign yet hauntingly familiar tongue to accompany Ricoppo’s dancing. When it was Morcos’ turn, she whirled, stomped and gestured her way through times long gone. Marian Fisher, accompanied by Val Gardson, described the entertainers as “Beautiful, gorgeous and talented”.
“It is very different for this city. I appreciate seeing some more elite performances.”

Calgary Herald, Saturday, August 9th, 2003

“Stoking Flamenco’s Fire”

Below are highlights from the article

“….It’s hard to imagine how a scientist-turned -banker could, just a few years later, end up teaching the fiery art of Flamenco dance.

Sound improbable? Not to Annette Morcos.

“When I went to Spain on my honeymoon years ago, I knew I had to go see Flamenco dance,” she remembers.
“So I saw it-and fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve been passionate about it.”

Morcos, a local flamenco dancer, will be one of the featured performers in tonight’s two-hour performance, Spain meets Canada in El Concierto Flamenco, at the John Dutton Theatre…

 “Awareness of flamenco is increasing, but more people are aware of Latin American culture; Salsa dancing and so on.”

Although Calgary isn’t the flamenco dancing capital of Canada-the culture is better developed in Toronto, Montreal and , to a lesser degree, Vancouver-teachers like Morcos have started to establish a name for themselves.
“It’s coming”, she says. “But it’s something that’s newer in Calgary.”

Passionate is the most accurate adjective to describe how Morcos feels about her vocation. It also helps explain her career path from research in the field of medical molecular biology at the University of Calgary to a day job as a Scotiabank commercial account manager, to flamenco.

After studying extensively in Spain, Morcos now teaches out of her home studio and through different workshops around the city.  She is also involved with her own flamenco group, Salero Caló.

“It is very individualistic, very passionate,” Morcos says of her craft. “You are not just a dancer, if you’re dancing; you are a percussionist because of what you are doing with your feet, you have to understand what the rhythms are doing, you have to be able to communicate with the guitarist. It’s intricate-it’s not something you just dance. And that’s what’s cool about it– you feel the music within you, then you project it out to the public. That’s what makes it beautiful”…”.

Calgary Herald, Friday, March 5th, 2005

“Calgarian shares love of flamenco”

Highlights

“….Some head to Spain for sun, sand and the odd bullfight.
But to Annette Morcos, an interlude in this beautiful hotspot is anything by relaxing.
“I’m there to study,” smiles Morcos …..”

“….Morcos, a local flamenco dancer, teacher, performer and choreographer, is one of seven featured artists who will be showcased in Saturday’s two-hour concert.
Billed as a night of Spanish style and tradition, the evening promises to convey the elemental fire, artistry and sheer thrill of flamenco, says Morcos….”

“ ...These days, the Jerusalem-born Morcos shares her love of this fiery art form by teaching classes through her school, Fineza Flamenca Dance School and via different workshop and sessions throughout the city.  Check out www.flamencocalgary.com for information.
“My intention is to share my love of this art,” she says.  “Since I’m very passionate about flamenco, I just want to educate people.  It’s something that really does a lot for me”…”

The Calgary Sun, Friday, April 29, 2005

“Celebrate language of dance”

“…. Calgary’s International Dance Day begins at noon with a flurry of dance demonstrations from troops such as the Arabia Adorned Dancers, Axe Capoeria and artist Elite International at Olympic Plaza.  It stretches, throughout the city’s theatres and studios and wraps up in the evening at Dancer’s Studio West Theatre with Tara Blue,....and flamenco group Salero Calo.
Annette Morcos, founder of Salero Calo, is proud to be part of the day.
“The day give a new platform to show flamenco dance which is almost in its infancy in Calgary.  It will let people see that it is actually part of the events you see in dance communities and not just part of cultural events...”

Fun with Flamenco

Metro

November 15, 2007

To view online version of this article click here (p.4)