Pittsburgh Fringe 2025
Flamencodanza
Anthony Tran and Aylin Bayaz
Genre: Dance, Dance and Movement Theatre, Live Music
Venue: Mettā: A Healing Arts Community
Festival: Pittsburgh Fringe
Low Down
Flamencodanza is a flamenco dance presentation by musician Anthony “Tiriti” Tran and dancer Aylin Bayaz. The duo has performed in many other Fringe locations, including Edinbourough, Adelaide and Philidelphia, as well as winning Best Show of Dance & Physical theatre in the 2022 Hollywood Fringe and the Fringe Award for Artistic Merit in the 2023 Newcastle Fringe, Australia.
Review
Flamencodanza is an incredible presentation of passion, energy, and community, complete with incredible music and electric dance. Anthony “Tiriti” Tran’s musical ability is unmatched, as he creates what feels and sounds like an entire band with only his guitar and his hands. This demeanor is calm and soothing, and then his music makes you want to get up and dance right there in the audience. Aylin Bayaz absolutely commands attention, filling the small studio with enough energy and rhythm to fill a stadium. Bayaz’s outfits were incredible, with bright primary colors that stood out nicely from the simple yet elegant set dressings on stage. The lighting design for the performance perfectly captured the feelings behind each song, and each number’s lights perfectly balanced the colors in Bayaz’s clothes.
The main thing I want to highlight about this performance, however, is the clear chemistry between the two performers. Just in this one hour performance it was clear that these two have an incredible bond and a shared admiration for one another. Tran’s consistent eye contact with Bayaz (which is duly impressive while playing incredibly complex chords on guitar) and the way Bayaz would adjust her dance as well as influence the music with just a glance or a nod was incredible to see live. This show is living proof that music truly is a universal language, and that music is how we share love on all levels. This performance was lively, passionate, and energetic, all while also feeling soothing, relaxing and familiar in a way I couldn’t quite understand. This show felt like a weighted blanket after a hard day, with the intimate crowd and the rhythm of Tran’s guitar and Bayaz’s dance creating a warm and inviting space. I would definitely recommend this piece to anyone, especially those who are new to the world of Flamenco, like myself, or dance performance as a whole. Ran and Bayaz will welcome you in with open arms, and leave with a pep in your step and music in your heart.
