Classical Spanish and Flamenco dancer and choreographer Irene Rodriguez has been the leading figure of Spanish dance in Cuba. Described as “an intense, exacting dancer” by the New York Times, she exudes charisma and artistic excitement. In addition to a new dance work that will be specifically choreographed for Close Encounters, she is joined by violinist Giora Schmidt, pianist Max Levinson, guitarist Eliot Fisk and Yehuda Hanani in repertoire ranging from Sarasate, Granados, de Falla, Manuel Ponce to Astor Piazzolla and Cuban composer Jorge Martin.