For Immediate Release
May 21, 2007
Contact: Kasandra La China 604-671-9182

EVENT SPONSOR

Edie Hats transforms into the mythical Café de Chinitas in “Imagenes del Oriente” on June 8 and 15, 2007!

Granville Island, Vancouver, BC In June, Edie Hats magically becomes the famed and enchanted Café de Chinitas for “Imagenes del Oriente”, the first of the Mozaico Flamenco’s tablao series.

Edie Hats has generously become our first Event Sponsor, providing a wonderful ambience for our art, as the mythical Café de Chinitas of Federico Garcia Lorca’s poetry comes to life. On June 8th and 15th, the doors will open to reveal a hazy boudoir and patrons draped in exotic Spanish silk shawls don hats from another time to share cocktails and conversation. The music of the Orchid Ensemble, the wailing erhu (Chinese violin) and ethereal strumming of the zheng (Chinese harp), create a musical reverie. A colourful cast of performers add to the dream-like ambience and mistress of ceremonies, Edie Orenstein , will guide guests through the evening.

“Working with someone with limitless creativity like Edie has been a fantastic experience because she is the manifestation that anything one imagines is possible. Her creative brilliance and understanding of flamenco is just what we needed to create the ambience of Café de Chinitas in her cozy store, which is something not possible in a large theatre.” says Kasandra La China, “Flamenco is an emotional, expressive art form that lends itself to a small, intimate venue. In the cramped tablaos and peñas in Andalucia, people enjoy flamenco over food and drink as they talk loudly and sit elbow to elbow in haphazard rows of wooden chairs. And we will do just that!”

As a flamenco dancer herself, Edie is a profound aficionado and enthusiast, traveling to Spain yearly and doing her best to promote flamenco by producing shows at Edie Hats. Growing up in Nova Scotia of Jewish descent, Edie identifies with the racial suffering and ostracization of gypsies in Spain and is particularly moved by the Cante Jondo or “deep sorrowful song”. Living in Vancouver where we are a melting pot, she feels a sense of belonging in this cultural mosaic. She recognized the validity and importance of a multicultural cast in a flamenco show and offered to produce our first ever Café de Chinitas tablao performance immediately!

"I am aware that racism is very real, and inevitably surfaces as people interact. As with anger and fear, it all depends what you do with it. My deep fascination about the world’s distinct cultures, and the history intertwining them, is why I am so enthusiastic about the body of work called ‘Cafe de Chinitas’. The message of sharing, exchanging ideas, creating something new together and therefore, transforming, transcends the world of Flamenco and mirrors the diverse identity of the multicultural city we call Vancouver and our country of Canada."

Edie Hats in the Net Loft on Granville Island has a legendary reputation for being the premiere hat retailer in North America and is cited as Vancouver's Favorite Hat Store! Drawing loyal customers from all over the world, its mission is to create a memorable experience
embracing fantasy, sensuality & richness that inspires unlimited possibilities. Edie's philosophy is that hats are an expressive, dramatic, personal accessory, allowing people to explore the different facets of their individual personalities. The store itself is created as a magical theatrical fantasy, allowing people to experiment, play and transform.