Flamenco singer and dancer Jafelin Helten is coming to Ladner next week. A local dance school is presenting Carmen: Queen of the Gypsies next week at Genesis Theatre in Ladner. "It's a drama that I've always wanted to do as a dance production," says Bev Mantovani, who runs Los Gitanos School of Spanish Dance in Tsawwassen. There will be plenty of passion and "incredible energy" in the show, says Mantovani, who'll be playing the titular role. In addition to about 50 of her dance students, Mantovani is enlisting a group of professional flamenco artists for the show. She performed with some of them at a New Year's Eve show in Vancouver and says the experience went well. "They see I'm running a studio of substance and that I know what I'm talking about," the native of South Africa says. "I'm earning their respect. This is why they're working with me, otherwise they wouldn't be." Singers Pirouz de Caspio, Jafelin Helten, Jose Luis Lara and Oscar Nieto will be performing along with guitarists Roderick Malkin and Peter Mole. Mantovani says she felt a good chemistry, something she notes is important in flamenco, at the New Year's Eve show. "You have to synch in with one another and feel the rhythm off one another." She also says that George Ellenton, who ran Delta Academy of Dance for many years, will take on duties as the backstage manager. The show is scheduled for next Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at Genesis Theatre, 5005-45th Ave., Ladner. Tickets cost $25. Call 604-948-8081. © Copyright (c) Lower Mainland Publishing