Evoking Spain’s Sultry Style

If you’re longing for a quick jaunt to sunny, romantic Spain, don’t call your travel agent. March immediately to the Fountain Theatre, where “Embrujo de Espan~a” (the Enchantment of Spain) gets up close and personal with sizzle, style and sultry finesse.

Conceived and directed by Charo Monge, this cultural salute to the land of stomping feet, swirling skirts and bullfighting raised blood to the boiling point on Thursday night at the tiny Hollywood space known for presenting exceptional dance programs.

Like a fine wine, flamenco dancer Juan Talavera, at 57, gets better with age. He cuts a serious swath of sensuality, his blazing sharpness a triumph of drama and virtuosic movement. His solo “Zapateado” could be subtitled “By Feet Possessed,” and his “Seguiriya” duet with fiery Yolanda Arroyo was a synchronous cascade of dexterous heel taps, vamping and furious energy.

Making her West Coast debut was the formidable Cecilia Romero, a statuesque dancer with seemingly acres of floating arms and legs. Her solo, “Alegrias,” burned with hip-swiveling ecstasy.

Providing deft, high-voltage accompaniment throughout the night were guitarists Paco Arroyo, Guillermo Rios and Esteban. Singers Monge and Jesus Montoya wailed moodily with soul to spare; Antonio Luna furnished percussion.

Synthesized Albeniz music proved less successful in “Leyenda,” in which Maruja Belmonte had difficulties with a shawl, lacking conviction and ease. Dancer Batista also failed to ignite flamenco passion, her handy castanets work notwithstanding.

Still, the evening teemed with white-hot emotions and cadenzas of gamboling climaxes.

* Charo Mange’s “Embrujo de Espan~a” continues tonight at 8 and Sunday at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave. $25. (213) 663-1525.