McCrae Farm Presents Flamenco Dancing - With Horses

One of Chicago’s most talented flamenco dancers, Juan Carlos Castellon, of Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Company, will perform with some unique dance partners: horses.

McCrae Farm in Grayslake, a sprawling 5,000-acre farm specializing in the art of French classical dressage and home of the equestrian ballet horses, is preparing for its annual fall performance at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6.

Farm owner Jill McCrae provides instruction, training and clinics at her facility, which has been a hidden gem small business on Bacon Street in Grayslake for the past 24 years.

McCrae said her passion for horses ignited at the age of 19. She describes taking two buses and a train to her riding lessons, and becoming aware that she didn't want to do anything else with her life except ride horses.

Jill, and her husband Jeff, will perform with signature Lusitano horses from Brazil and Portugal, along with several students. The horses ride in harmony using standards set in the 18th century by Francois Robichon de le Gueriniere to create a dance, set to music.

Castellon evokes passion and seriousness when he stomps his feet to the rhythms of flamenco.

“This is a dream come true to dance with horses,” he said. “I saw movies of horses and flamenco dancers when I was a child, and now Jill and Ladia (Cheng) have helped to make this possible.”

The premier Spanish dance company, Ensemble Español, recruited Castello while he was attending Northeastern Illinois University in 2005.

“I am working full time in marketing, finishing my degree in communications at Northeastern Illinois University, rehearsing, choreographing and giving private lessons; that is my week,” Castellon said.

The native of El Salvador eats, breathes and sleeps dance, as he begins each day at 9 a.m. and continues nonstop until 11 p.m.

According to Castellon, his love of dance gives him the energy to accomplish all that he does. “I even go salsa or tango dancing some nights, just to relax with friends and relieve the stress of the day.”

Ladia Cheng of Mundelein, a pharmaceutical researcher by day and flamenco aficionado by night, fell in love with dance after signing up for an intensive clinic at Northeastern Illinois University. Cheng and Castellon met when placed in a Spanish-speaking dance class, where Castellon offered to translate.

“He was so sweet to offer his time, he didn’t even know me,” Cheng said. Months later, Cheng asked Castellon if he would be interested in choreographing a piece for the upcoming show at McCrae Farm.

“The footwork is similar to the horse’s movements. It’s a perfect marriage of the two."

Cheng has limited training but wants to grow as an artist. She will dance Sevillanas, the popular flamenco-style from Seville, Spain, while the stallions gracefully gait in the background with Castellon.

McCrae Farm is located at 32159 N. Bacon Road in Grayslake. There will be a sweet table at 12:30 p.m. and the horse performance at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25. Reservations are accepted. To purchase tickets, call 1-847-546-5164.

- Submitted by Laura Davis for McCrae Farm