Lydia Torea’s memoir is lighthearted, insightful and full of fiery flamenco, colorful characters, amusing anecdotes and loving family and friends. As a child in Phoenix in the ‘50s, Spanish dance fascinated Lydia and captured her passion. By age 10, she was clicking her heels and swirling her skirts on local stages. Then at 18 she sailed off to Spain to study Spanish dance and flamenco. Since she wasn’t born into Spain’s “cradle of flamenco,” and was a stark contrast to the dark-haired gypsy dancers of Madrid, the fair, blond American had to prove herself. Once her talent stood out, they began calling her La Gitana Blanca, the White Gypsy.
After more than a year of studying and performing flamenco professionally in Madrid, she was snapped up by Jose Greco and toured much of the world with his company, becoming his prima ballerina. Then, she captured a movie role in the Stanley Kramer’s 1964 film, Ship of Fools with Vivian Leigh and Lee Marvin. Later she toured with Xavier Cugat and Charo. She has performed for royalty, danced with symphony orchestras and choreographed for Ballet Arizona and Arizona Opera’s Carmen.
Lydia Torea’s nonprofit dance company, Artes Bellas, which she established in Phoenix in the early ‘80s, delighted audiences in the Southwest for decades. Having started many young dancers onto their career paths, she continues to teach in her studio in Phoenix and to inspire the next generation of flamenco dancers.
Her memoir was motivated by her long-time students who encouraged her to tell her story. The book is a tribute to what has been called “The Golden Age of Flamenco” and the accomplished performers with whom she shared the stage. It is also a tribute to the family and friends who share her life. A “ruffles on wheels” glimpse into her life as a dancer, Torea shares many laugh-out-loud accounts of on-stage and back-stage mishaps.
The story takes the reader back to her early years in Phoenix where she became a regular on a new locally televised talent show, “The Lew King Ranger Show,” along with Wayne Newton and other young entertainers. Coincidentally, she and Newton went on to attend North High School together, and by their senior year, Newton got his big break in Las Vegas. After graduation, Lydia went to Spain to study flamenco and danced into her own performing career.
Torea, 66, credits her late mother’s Spanish immigrant heritage for her early fascination with flamenco—and praises her parents’ support and encouragement for the achievement of her dreams.
The colored hardcover book, 81/2 X 11 inches includes more than 250 vintage photographs to showcase Lydia Torea’s engaging story and was co-written with author, Patricia Bezunartea.
